Kind of late to the party on this thread, but I think a few things stick out to me.
We are definitely counting on Duval/Ellils/Austin to build this line, but in pretty strategic ways, I think
- Last year's class was all about OT prospects who could be high level guys. Benhart is the closest to playing, but I think Anderson and Fritzsche are both guys with tons of upside. I would never have wanted to see them under the last staff because I don't think they'd ever get where they needed physically or technically.
- Without Bland, we took 1 (maybe) guard prospect in Lynn, but he could also be a tackle Maybe Banks plays OL, but he also looks like a tackle. What does that mean, it means we plan and count on getting interior players through the walk on program and maybe by moving guys down. But I don't think some of these guys project that well to OG or Center, so it's a high risk/high reward strategy, but I think it works... look at what we already have in the 2 deep
- Hixson was in the 2 deep last year as a RS Freshman and likely is this year and maybe earns the right to start. Hunter Miller was competing for the center job as a RS Frosh last year and is coming back to compete for the job this year without an incumbent.
- We've also brought in a lot of quality interior linemen type through the walk on program. Guys like Forbes, Shefke and others all look like great projects along with getting Wegener as a 3 to play 2 guy at center. And, honestly, what are the ratios of 3 start and even lower ranked 4 star interior linemen.. I think it's one of the most hit/miss positions in all of recruiting. If we bring in TWICE as many quality projects.. I think we can do better than if we bring in targeted guys.. but this strategy lets us take chances at OT...
- if you are confident in your ability to get and build those guys on the interior, you can go out and take chances with your OT's (a bit of speculation here, but this looks to me like what they are doing). You have Benhart in the class, so you look at Fritzsche and Anderson -- I think they are both TE conversions from recent years even. they have a lot of weight to gain, but they can MOVE their feet and they are athletic enough to bend their knees and stay in front of their guys.
I really like that they are looking at this position in a strategic way.
One believer -- Jim Fritzsche (Jimmy's Dad) who played in the NFL a bit:
"The things they have right now at Nebraska are so impressive to me," the father said. "I didn't care where he went, but at Nebraska they have the No. 1 nutritionist and No. 1 weight coach in the country (in Dave Ellis). He's (been) a personal trainer for Tom Brady, LeBron James, all the top stars. You won't recognize this guy in two years"
https://www.greenvilleonline.com/st...-jimmy-fritzsche-chooses-nebraska/2360671002/