Departure of Kerr Opens Up Scholarship

It's been reported that sophomore tight end J.T. Kerr is no longer on the roster for Nebraska. While that reduces NU's depth at the position, it also opens up an additional scholarship in time for signing day. With Sam Cotton already in the upcoming recruiting class, you might expect Nebraska to add a player at some other position, though another tight end wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

The good news for Nebraska is that they have three experienced tight ends for next season in seniors Ben Cotton, Kyler Reed, and junior Jake Long. David Sutton will be coming off of a redshirt as will walk-on Eddie Ridder and lengthly sophomore walk-on (6'8") Robert Barry will also be available. Beyond those names, Nebraska could move a player from another position like fullback or defensive end. But once Cotton and Reed graduate, there need to be new faces contributing. Only a few tight end prospects remain with offers from Nebraska that haven't verballed to other schools (Keoni Bush-Loo, Orlando David, Pharoah Brown, and Terrell Mitchell). The sense was that Nebraska wasn't real close to bringing any of them in though. Thankfully, viable walk-ons at tight end can often be found.

A junior college tight end might be an option, but that hasn't worked out so well for NU in the past. Tyson Hetzer and Chase Harper are about the only junior college misses by Bo Pelini's staff but they were also the only two juco tight ends. It doesn't appear that outside of Mitchell, there are any junior college tight ends on Nebraska's wish list.

If the Huskers are content with where they stand at tight end, then the scholarship should help bolster another position. There aren't too many places where another quality player wouldn't be welcome. The hope is just that the scholarship is well spent.

It should make signing day that much more interesting.