Who'll Play Early?
5 comments so far
February 8, 2010 by
One of the first questions people tend to ask about a new recruiting class, is which players will play next year? We know most players under Pelini redshirt. That's why we shouldn't expect to see the true freshmen offensive linemen. You'd say the same about the defensive linemen except that two are already on campus. That might accelerate both the learning curve but also the strength and conditioning curve enough to give Chase Rome and/or Jay Guy a chance to see the field. A true freshman quarterback like Brion Carnes would be best suited to redshirt, so you'd expect him to as well. As a grayshirt, Bronson Marsh wouldn't play in 2010 either. So what about the rest?
Tight end Chase Harper might have the strongest case to play. As a junior college transfer, he's more physically mature than a true freshman. He was also highly regarded by recruiting services. Beyond that, he has three years to play three years (with no redshirt available). So even if the coaches only wanted to put him in for just a handful of plays, they'd have no reason not to. That sets him apart from the rest.
Offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick might be next on the list. He's got the physical maturity of a third-year player and with his early arrival on campus, he'll have a head start on other recruits in learning the playbook. As a highly rated prospect he might be able to compete with the returning lineman.
Lavonte David is the last of the juco prospects and while highly regarded, he joins a position of experience at linebacker and he has a redshirt available. Will Compton, Sean Fisher, and Eric Martin (among others) are all fighting to get on the field. And with so many nickel and dime packages taking linebackers off the field, you wonder whether it will be worth burning the redshirt. A player like Demorrio Williams at least had a semester in the program before he began to play.
Braylon Heard, by virtue of both talent and position, would seem a good candidate to play next year. Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead may be at the top of the depth chart. But there may be some question whether Dontrayevous Robinson really has a stranglehold on the third spot or Lester Ward (or Marcus Mendoza) a grasp on the fourth. He also seems to have return man talents, which could get Heard on the field in a special teams role. It would be surprising if Heard redshirts.
The rest of the class (Corey Cooper, Kenny Bell, Joshua Mitchell, Quincy Enunwa, Harvey Jackson, Tyler Evans, Ciante Evans, and any number of walk-ons) could contribute but you'd expect it to be on special teams initially. The secondary is deep enough and there are enough viable receivers to keep anyone from having to burn a redshirt unless the team finds themselves in need early or the player really distinguishes himself. At this point, there probably isn't one guy from this group jumping out more than the others.
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darren Feb 08 10
I agree with you Steve, it will be very hard to keep the three JC recruits off of the field next year - both by virtue of their ability and the team's needs.
Of the actual "frosh" in the class, Heard is as good a guess as any. Running back is typically a place where freshman can see time. Heard provides NU with an element that they don't have available right now, too - a break away threat. I *heart* Helu and Burkhead, but neither one of them is as apt to break a big one and get it to "the house."
Exiled in VT Feb 08 10
Can you explain what Braylon Heard offers that Marcus Mendoza does not?
I ask because they seem like similar backs and Mendoza rarely sees the field...
Steve Feb 08 10
Exiled,
I've definitely had similar thoughts about Heard, given his size. But unlike Mendoza he's a Rivals top 100 player. Which is to say, even though they both played the same position, both were similar sized and both were four-star recruits (though Rivals has revised Mendoza to three stars), Heard still was in that elite class of top 100 players according to Rivals.
The last such players Nebraska recruited nearly all played as freshman or redshirt freshman (Cody Green, Baker Steinkuhler, Niles Paul, Josh Freeman [at KSU], Phillip Dillard, Marlon Lucky, Ndaumukong Suh, and Leon Jackson). Only Jackson was a total bust.
I think the other thing in Heard's favor is how deep you have to go into your running back bench most years. It's not uncommon for 4 or 5 guys to see time over the course of the year. Sure Mendoza's in that mix and hasn't really made an impact in his three years. But that doesn't mean Heard wouldn't get a shot. If Rivals is right, he's a guy that could do some damage.
I also give Heard credit for being sought after by West Virginia. They've had a good track record with running backs in recent years.
darren Feb 08 10
Exiled - Heard lined up in the "I" formation as well as in the shotgun-spread formation, standing next to the QB. He's a downhill RB.
Mendoza - despite the speed/size similarities - is more of a slot guy who could be a WR as much as a RB. In fact, that is why the coaches have moved him around a bit.
Similar types of players - different skill sets and expectations.
Heard can - and will - line up behind a fullback and hit a hole. Mendoza seldom did that in HS, and has harder transition in college.
stew Feb 09 10
Lavonte David is the next Terrell Farley. Not only does he jump EMart, Fisher & Compton to become the top LB, he proves to be the perfect LB for Pelini's defense & perform at a high level game in & game out.
I think Yoshi Hardrick will make an immediate impact as a starter on the OL. That's why we brought him here.
Harper has the unfortunate ploy of outperforming several proven reliable TEs. He won't see much action on passing plays & I bet his catches are all short-yardage playaction passes. Maybe 1 TD, but nothing more than that. I just don't see him having nearly the same impact as the other two JUCO transfers.