OFFENSIVE LINE
I was all prepared to do this analysis when the Jerald Foster injury completely jumbled up the picture. What was originally a nice tidy set rotation picture is now suddenly an upside down and jumbled mess. There are players moving positions, redshirt decisions being reconsidered, and all kinds of calamity.
But let’s take a look. As usual, I will split up the interior and exterior of the lines into two groups which is challenging because we have a number of players that are capable of swinging between a number of positions.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Thank goodness for redshirt sophomore Nick Gates. Without him, the OT positions would be a pit of eels. It is amazing how the development of one young player can alter the perception of a depth chart. Without Gates, we would be prepping a true freshman for a possible starting assignment, would be leaning heavily on a junior who has never played regularly before, and many fans would be getting some rope ready to hang themselves.
Nick Gates moves from RT to LT this year as the coaches hope to maximize his value by moving him into the all-important role of protecting the QB’s blind spot. Gates was sensational last year and was a huge spark for the offensive line. When Gates missed a few games due to injury, his absence was heavily felt. It became obvious to fans that although Gates was only a freshman, he had already become the one indispensable cog to the offensive line. Gates isn’t the biggest OT, but he has a nasty disposition and quick feet which allows him great mobility and technique. As long as Gates is healthy, LT will not be a problem next year. The sky is the limit for Gates, and playing on Sundays as a high draft choice looms in his future.
The other tackle position isn’t quite so settled however but fans are excited to see massive junior David Knevel take over the RT position. Knevel came to Nebraska as a heavily recruited prospect oozing potential but it has taken him awhile to mature. The position is his now—partly by attrition—and he has been one of the most pleasant developments in the spring and fall camps. Knevel has reshaped his body and with his massive size, could be a handful for any defensive end. The hope is that Knevel plays as good as he has looked which would give NU a very impressive duo at the tackle positions.
Last year, fans fretted as new OL Coach Mike Cavanaugh played 5 starters all but 100% of the time. We can only hope that this year, we are healthy enough at OT to not NEED to rotate much—because there simply aren’t a lot of options behind the front two. Putting together a 3 year depth chart for the OT position was a struggle. There just aren’t a ton of true OT’s on the roster.
One player who the coaches have high hopes for is redshirt freshman Christian Gaylord. Gaylord has the potential to be a special player and had a decent spring but hasn’t quite made the move up the depth chart yet. This isn’t unexpected. Gaylord is probably a year or so away from being ready.
The other player that I listed in the two-deep was walk-on transfer senior Sam Hahn. He’s not a bad player and has been in the mix in previous years. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending how you look at it), he very well may end up being the replacement for Jerald Foster at the RG position. This would be an interesting development given last year how good the move of Zach Sterup from the outside to the interior worked. More on that in a bit.
The future of the position is undoubtedly true freshman Matt Farniok. The subject of one of the most intense recruiting battles in Cornhuskers history, Farniok is enormously talented. Although he could probably play if needed, a redshirt year is thought to be in his best interest. The plan appears to be in place to indeed redshirt Farniok but if injuries strike, they may have no choice but to throw Farniok into the fire right away. If so, it is anybody’s guess how well the kid could do. Just on sheer talent alone, he probably wouldn’t sink and the reality is he might be a better option than some of the more seasoned linemen.
Redshirt junior Dwayne Johnson doesn’t look to be an option at all. Johnson is one of those guys who just never developed as hoped. Last seen, he was playing some guard in an effort to find some place where he might fit.
A couple of options from the walk-on ranks is senior Robbie Painter and sophomore Cole Conrad. Painter is a decent player who has seen some time blocking on special teams and Conrad’s name was mentioned as a possibility to move inside to Guard to replace Jerald Foster.
In truth, the #1 backup at the OT positions is probably the #1 backup at the Guard positions—oft-injured redshirt senior Corey Whitaker. Whitaker is really a pretty good player but injuries have just destroyed a once very promising career. Unfortunately, Whitaker is currently injured although he is expected back.
Amongst the true freshmen, both Bryan Brokup and John Raridon have been mentioned as players that could move to OT, but the thought is that they are best suited for the interior.
In 2017, Hahn, Whitaker, and Painter are gone. Hopefully by then, Knevel is established along with Gates and Farniok is either a redshirt freshman ready to go or an experience sophomore. Throw in a year of development for Gaylord, and things don’t look so bad.
However, here is a storm warming. Nick Gates will be eligible to leave early for the NFL after this season. Perhaps, it may seem unlikely that he would do so (putting the cart before the horse), it is a scary thought. My guess is he will in fact, return for the 2017 season, but I have a feeling he will not be back for the 2018 season.
In 2018, Knevel will be gone and if Gates chooses to leave early (as I suspect), that leaves Farniok and Gaylord as the two main projected tackles. Obviously, recruiting OT’s is a high priority for this class. Currently, three verbals have been received for the offensive line in this class—all three players are listed in various recruiting databases as OTs. In addition, we are still recruiting some high profile OT’s. Look for a huge talent infusion at OT in this recruiting cycle.
quickness and technique to best advantage. If Gates is the starting right tackle in 2015, the position looks to be in great shape for years to come. Gates could be a star and will likely play on Sunday’s at some point.
Offensive Line continued on next post . . .
I was all prepared to do this analysis when the Jerald Foster injury completely jumbled up the picture. What was originally a nice tidy set rotation picture is now suddenly an upside down and jumbled mess. There are players moving positions, redshirt decisions being reconsidered, and all kinds of calamity.
But let’s take a look. As usual, I will split up the interior and exterior of the lines into two groups which is challenging because we have a number of players that are capable of swinging between a number of positions.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Thank goodness for redshirt sophomore Nick Gates. Without him, the OT positions would be a pit of eels. It is amazing how the development of one young player can alter the perception of a depth chart. Without Gates, we would be prepping a true freshman for a possible starting assignment, would be leaning heavily on a junior who has never played regularly before, and many fans would be getting some rope ready to hang themselves.
Nick Gates moves from RT to LT this year as the coaches hope to maximize his value by moving him into the all-important role of protecting the QB’s blind spot. Gates was sensational last year and was a huge spark for the offensive line. When Gates missed a few games due to injury, his absence was heavily felt. It became obvious to fans that although Gates was only a freshman, he had already become the one indispensable cog to the offensive line. Gates isn’t the biggest OT, but he has a nasty disposition and quick feet which allows him great mobility and technique. As long as Gates is healthy, LT will not be a problem next year. The sky is the limit for Gates, and playing on Sundays as a high draft choice looms in his future.
The other tackle position isn’t quite so settled however but fans are excited to see massive junior David Knevel take over the RT position. Knevel came to Nebraska as a heavily recruited prospect oozing potential but it has taken him awhile to mature. The position is his now—partly by attrition—and he has been one of the most pleasant developments in the spring and fall camps. Knevel has reshaped his body and with his massive size, could be a handful for any defensive end. The hope is that Knevel plays as good as he has looked which would give NU a very impressive duo at the tackle positions.
Last year, fans fretted as new OL Coach Mike Cavanaugh played 5 starters all but 100% of the time. We can only hope that this year, we are healthy enough at OT to not NEED to rotate much—because there simply aren’t a lot of options behind the front two. Putting together a 3 year depth chart for the OT position was a struggle. There just aren’t a ton of true OT’s on the roster.
One player who the coaches have high hopes for is redshirt freshman Christian Gaylord. Gaylord has the potential to be a special player and had a decent spring but hasn’t quite made the move up the depth chart yet. This isn’t unexpected. Gaylord is probably a year or so away from being ready.
The other player that I listed in the two-deep was walk-on transfer senior Sam Hahn. He’s not a bad player and has been in the mix in previous years. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending how you look at it), he very well may end up being the replacement for Jerald Foster at the RG position. This would be an interesting development given last year how good the move of Zach Sterup from the outside to the interior worked. More on that in a bit.
The future of the position is undoubtedly true freshman Matt Farniok. The subject of one of the most intense recruiting battles in Cornhuskers history, Farniok is enormously talented. Although he could probably play if needed, a redshirt year is thought to be in his best interest. The plan appears to be in place to indeed redshirt Farniok but if injuries strike, they may have no choice but to throw Farniok into the fire right away. If so, it is anybody’s guess how well the kid could do. Just on sheer talent alone, he probably wouldn’t sink and the reality is he might be a better option than some of the more seasoned linemen.
Redshirt junior Dwayne Johnson doesn’t look to be an option at all. Johnson is one of those guys who just never developed as hoped. Last seen, he was playing some guard in an effort to find some place where he might fit.
A couple of options from the walk-on ranks is senior Robbie Painter and sophomore Cole Conrad. Painter is a decent player who has seen some time blocking on special teams and Conrad’s name was mentioned as a possibility to move inside to Guard to replace Jerald Foster.
In truth, the #1 backup at the OT positions is probably the #1 backup at the Guard positions—oft-injured redshirt senior Corey Whitaker. Whitaker is really a pretty good player but injuries have just destroyed a once very promising career. Unfortunately, Whitaker is currently injured although he is expected back.
Amongst the true freshmen, both Bryan Brokup and John Raridon have been mentioned as players that could move to OT, but the thought is that they are best suited for the interior.
In 2017, Hahn, Whitaker, and Painter are gone. Hopefully by then, Knevel is established along with Gates and Farniok is either a redshirt freshman ready to go or an experience sophomore. Throw in a year of development for Gaylord, and things don’t look so bad.
However, here is a storm warming. Nick Gates will be eligible to leave early for the NFL after this season. Perhaps, it may seem unlikely that he would do so (putting the cart before the horse), it is a scary thought. My guess is he will in fact, return for the 2017 season, but I have a feeling he will not be back for the 2018 season.
In 2018, Knevel will be gone and if Gates chooses to leave early (as I suspect), that leaves Farniok and Gaylord as the two main projected tackles. Obviously, recruiting OT’s is a high priority for this class. Currently, three verbals have been received for the offensive line in this class—all three players are listed in various recruiting databases as OTs. In addition, we are still recruiting some high profile OT’s. Look for a huge talent infusion at OT in this recruiting cycle.
quickness and technique to best advantage. If Gates is the starting right tackle in 2015, the position looks to be in great shape for years to come. Gates could be a star and will likely play on Sunday’s at some point.
Offensive Line continued on next post . . .
