What we’ve learned (and still need to learn) about Nebraska this spring

LINCOLN, Neb. — Matt Rhule is in search of leaders. And through the first 100 days of this 12 months, he discovered one in Thomas Fidone II.

Rhule, in his 10 seasons as a head coach, sometimes has recognized a small group of gamers with whom he works intently. They’re his guys, Rhule stated final week as spring observe at Nebraska crossed the halfway level. Early within the winter, Fidone match that invoice.

“Man, I actually just like the man,” Rhule stated. “He’s so aggressive. He’s so pushed.”

Rhule sees a few of himself, he stated, in how Fidone is “wired.”

When Rhule moved to restrict the observe load of the third-year tight finish out of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Fidone pushed again. The No. 2 prospect nationally at his place in 2021, Fidone may have pouted this 12 months in regards to the departure of Sean Beckton, a revered assistant coach and Fidone’s main mentor in two seasons with the Huskers.

He may have balked on the offseason addition of Arik Gilbert, a blue-chip switch from Georgia — and five-star 2020 LSU signee — whose presence spells competitors for enjoying time at tight finish.

Fidone may have appeared towards the portal himself after spring knee accidents in every of the previous two years value him an opportunity to contribute early in his collegiate profession.

As a substitute, he buckled down.

“He’s relentless,” Nebraska tight ends coach Bob Wager stated. “And that’s what drives all the things at observe.”

Fidone displayed his sharpened edge in winter workout routines and his push has continued into spring observe. At 6-foot-6 and 235 kilos, Fidone is flexible, long-limbed and runs properly. He’s a menace to reveal defensive vulnerabilities as a big-play goal on seam routes.

“There’s quite a bit that stands out about Thomas,” Wager stated.

With out enjoying in a recreation for Rhule — and even but to make it by means of a spring observe season wholesome for the primary time in his profession — Fidone charges as an early success story on this new period.

Rhule desires to see buy-in and perception throughout the roster like Fidone has proven. It sounds easy, however Fidone is aware of his job, and in keeping with Rhule, such fundamental consciousness is important to the Huskers’ success.

“You may’t determine the right way to do your job till what your job is,” Rhule stated. “We’ve got a variety of guys nonetheless at that stage one, making an attempt to be taught what it’s. We are able to make excuses for them. However we’re making an attempt to alter the expectation stage of our guys.”

Fidone and others like security Myles Farmer and operating again Gabe Ervin Jr. have executed their half to cleared the path.

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Because the Huskers resume observe Tuesday, their tenth of 15 periods this spring after 4 days away from the sector, right here’s extra of what we’ve realized about this staff in March and April:

• Rhule has confidence within the offensive line. It’s not lip service. This isn’t a case of the coach talking by means of the media to succeed in his gamers. Rhule is extra subtle as a communicator than that, particularly as he nonetheless will get to know the Huskers.

If he has one thing to say to his gamers, he tells them. And he’s telling the offensive linemen, typically maligned in latest seasons, that they’ve what it takes to price as a power for Nebraska within the fall.

“Quite a lot of these guys have been beat down,” Rhule stated. “The narrative is that the O-line is horrible. They hear that quite a bit.”

Rhule stated he feels good about Bryce Benhart, Ethan Piper and Nouredin Nouili. Heart Ben Scott, out final week with a minor harm, has appeared strong. Rhule praised the play of Justin Evans-Jenkins in Scott’s place. As an early enrollee, Gunnar Gottula has impressed in enjoying the No. 2 left sort out spot.

Turner Corcoran stays a possible starter. And Teddy Prochazka, restricted whereas recovering from harm, figures to slot in the lineup when wholesome.

“That offensive line is as proficient as (any) one I’ve been round in faculty soccer as a head coach,” Rhule stated.

• Discuss of the demise of Nebraska’s walk-on program was misguided. Talking of narratives gone astray, as Rhule trimmed the roster this offseason, questions surfaced in regards to the position of walk-ons.

They are going to be fewer in numbers, however with 120 gamers within the locker room as a substitute of 160, the Huskers really may get extra out of their walk-ons. With a smaller group comes elevated alternatives to earn observe reps and achieve the discover of coaches.

Rhule, as soon as a walk-on linebacker at Penn State, stated final week that a few of the Nebraska walk-ons deserve scholarships. Tight ends Nate Boerkircher and Luke Lindenmeyer may have began for groups that Rhule coached beforehand. Defensive lineman Jacob Herbek and operating again Trevin Luben have caught Rhule’s consideration.

John Bullock, a defensive again turned linebacker, matches into the Huskers’ plans. Rhule has supplied robust phrases, too, for walk-on offensive linemen Keegan Menning, Joey Mancino, Ezra Miller and Dylan Parrott.

A lot of their emergence includes perspective.

“You may put me wherever,” Bullock stated. “I’ll play wherever, so long as I’m serving to the staff out.”

• The Huskers are going to hit. 

Discover the primary clip in that montage. It’s quarterback Heinrich Haarberg, inexperienced jersey and all, with a physique blow to eradicate defensive again Isaac Gifford, whose 70 tackles final 12 months ranked third on the staff.

The intrigue round Haarberg is consultant of a shifting outlook round quite a few Huskers this spring. The place does he match? Good query. However the 6-5, 210-pound sophomore does, actually, match someplace.  He’s athletic and bodily — two of an important traits of Rhule-coached groups.

Rhule allowed the Nebraska defenders in an April 1 scrimmage to hit the quarterbacks. It led to one of the best day of the spring for the QBs, he stated.

“They wanted these reside reps,” the coach stated.

Once more on Thursday, the quarterbacks went reside in a goal-line drill.

Nebraska doesn’t but possess the bodily prowess of a high-level Massive Ten staff. Via Rhule’s recruiting and the work of power coach Corey Campbell, the Huskers count on to realize floor quickly.

Within the meantime, they’ll hold hitting …

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And right here’s what we nonetheless must be taught through the subsequent 12 days:

• Is the D-line in place to carry up? Reinforcements are coming, with the summer time addition of three freshmen defensive linemen and two others who may play on both aspect of the ball.

Ty Robinson and Blaise Gunnerson have missed time this spring, leaving first-team reps for early enrolling freshmen Cameron Lenhardt and Princewill Umanmielen. Nash Hutmacher and Jimari Butler seem strong. Newcomers Kai Wallin, Elijah Jeudy and Maverick Noonan are incomes strong critiques.

However questions stay about how the Huskers plan to kind a scary defensive entrance. Will transfers MJ Sherman and Chief Borders stick with the linebackers or progress to play in hybrid edge-rusher roles?

The massive image on the line of scrimmage has but to return into focus.

• When will the switch portal start to make waves? It re-opens Saturday. A number of Nebraska gamers will enter, maybe earlier than the April 22 Purple-White recreation, which may add to depth issues within the closing days of the spring.

Little purpose exists to attend for gamers on the transfer. Roster spots at many applications are restricted. The portal closes on April 30 for gamers to leap in. They’ve till later in the summertime to pick new locations.

Nebraska nonetheless should shed greater than a dozen scholarships to succeed in 85 by August. And for each participant it provides from the portal this spring and summer time, that’s one other who received’t come again.

One uncomfortable reality about this spring in Lincoln is that it was wanted to weed out a few of the Huskers whose alternatives could be restricted with the brand new employees. Shifting season is nearly upon us once more.

• Will the spring finish with a bang or bust in recruiting? It’s not a shock that Nebraska’s recruiting bonanza in late March failed to provide a flurry of commitments for the 2024 class. Rhule and his employees are simply getting began. They’re not ready to supply the identical stage of soccer attraction as different applications recruiting the four- and five-star prospects who paid their option to Lincoln final month.

For now, Nebraska is a curiosity to many recruits, even for an in-state standout like tight finish Carter Nelson of Ainsworth. This spring for the Huskers has been about spreading Rhule’s message.

“We’re not right here to attempt laborious,” he stated. “We’re not right here to lose and thank the followers. We’re right here to win.”

5-star sort out Brandon Baker of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei is ready to return subsequent week, the headliner for now in a bunch of holiday makers that’s certain to develop within the days forward. Recruits within the Class of 2024 are eligible in April to make use of official visits.

The Huskers want to capitalize on the momentum gained final month and add to the 2 pledges secured of their subsequent class. Time is rising quick to make an enormous spring splash.

(Picture of Mikai Gbayor, left, and Thomas Fidone: Brendan Moran / USA Immediately)