Offensive Preview

Nebraska returns eight starters from last season and lost five players who saw extensive starting action a year ago. Fullback Judd Davies and offensive tackle Dan Vili Waldrop were both three-year starters on the offense, while Jammal Lord directed the Husker offense each of the past two years. Center Josh Sewell and I-back Josh Davis, who started the season's first 10 games, also exhausted their eligibility.

The Huskers appear to have ample experience at the receiver spots, with 12 returning lettermen and four players who qualify for returning starter status. In the backfield, NU has a pair of junior I-backs with extensive game experience, while replacements for Lord and Davies will be expected to emerge this spring. Three starters return along the offensive line.

Lettermen Lost...

Lettermen Returning...

JOSH SEWELL** (13)

JAKE ANDERSEN** (12)

DAN VILI WALDROP**** (13)

Greg Austin*

Tim Green*

Darren DeLone*

Jack Limbaugh*

MIKE ERICKSON*** (13)

Cody Volk*

RICHIE INCOGNITO** (13)

 

Brandon Koch*

Nick Povendo**

 

Note: Returning letterman Seppo Evwaraye will switch from the defensive line to the offensive line this spring.

The Offensive Line in Brief...Nebraska returns three starters up front on the offensive line for 2004. Junior Richie Incognito has started the past two years at left tackle and earned all-conference honors last season. This spring the 6-3, 290-pounder will move to center to anchor the Husker offensive line. He takes the place vacated by senior Josh Sewell who started all 13 games last season.

Seniors Mike Erickson and Jake Andersen were Nebraska's starting guards last fall and both return for 2004. Erickson is banged up entering spring practice, while Andersen is listed second behind Nick Povendo at right guard. Povendo has been a backup tackle the past two seasons, but will try his hand at guard this spring. Junior Brandon Koch saw extensive action last season as Nebraska's "swing guard" and will open spring practice as NU's top left guard. Sophomore Greg Austin showed great promise last season as a true freshman, but suffered a knee injury and will miss spring practice. Junior Jared Helming has moved from the defensive line and is listed as Koch's backup on the pre-spring depth chart.

Incognito's move to center thins the tackle ranks entering the spring. The top two positions on the depth chart at left tackle are held down by players new to the position. Sophomore Kurt Mann was Nebraska's backup center last year, but at 6-3, 285, he has outstanding size for the spot. Seppo Evwaraye has spent the first three seasons in the program as a defensive tackle, but has switched to offense. At right tackle, senior Darren DeLone is listed at the top of the depth chart, while another converted defensive lineman, redshirt freshman Chris Patrick, is listed second. That position has been vacated by Dan Vili Waldrop, who was a three-year starter for the Huskers.

Callahan is comfortable with moving players from defense to offense and with players being interchangeable between positions in the line.

"I have had tremendous success with moving players over to the other side of the ball. I am very confident that the players who move over will be successful on that side. You have to mix and match offensive linemen. This is not the day and age where you can say a player is locked into a position. So much carries over from position to position."

Receivers...

Pos.

Lettermen Lost...

Lettermen Returning...

TE:

Phil Peetz*** (4)

MATT HERIAN** (13)

   

Dusty Keiser*

Chris Septak*

WR:

Tim Liley** (1)

Andy Birkel*

 

Ryan Ommert*

ISAIAH FLUELLEN* (4)

   

MARK LeFLORE** (5)

   

Grant Mulkey*

   

Jack O'Holleran* (2)

ROSS PILKINGTON** (13)

   

Kiffin Wigert*

   

Ben Zajicek**

Note: Returning letterman Willie Amos will switch from defensive back to receiver this spring.

The Receivers in Brief...Nebraska's receiving corps figures to be one of the strengths of the 2004 team?good timing considering Nebraska's switch to the West Coast Offense. At tight end, Matt Herian returns after earning all-conference honors as a sophomore, when he averaged 22 yards per catch on his 22 receptions. Herian was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award and is poised for more honors this season. He is backed by a pair of senior returning lettermen in Dusty Keiser and Chris Septak. The Huskers also have a pair of talented redshirt freshmen at the position in Josh Mueller and J.B. Phillips.

The Huskers boast outstanding talent and depth at the receiver positions. Junior Ross Pilkington has played a key role the past two seasons and tied for the team lead in 2003 with 22 receptions. His role figures to increase this fall, and he enters spring as the No. 1 "Z" receiver. Junior Mark LeFlore hauled in 19 passes last season and made five starts and is listed as Pilkington's top backup.

A pair of sophomore speedsters hold down the top two spots at the "X" receiver position. Isaiah Fluellen flashed his big-play potential last season, making 15 catches and is listed at the top of the depth chart entering the spring. He finished sixth in the 200 meters at the conference indoor track championship in the off-season. Lincoln native Andy Birkel was injured for most of last season, but has the height (6-3) and speed to be a difference-maker at the spot. Four other lettermen return in the receiving corps, including Grant Mulkey, Jack O'Holleran, Kiffin Wigert and Ben Zajicek, while senior Willie Amos has switched from defensive back and figures to make a push for playing time in the fall.

Pos.

Lettermen Lost...

Lettermen Returning...

IB:

JOSH DAVIS*** (10)

David Horne**

 

Robin Miller***

CORY ROSS** (3)

FB:

JUDD DAVIES**** (8)

Steve Kriewald***

 

DeAntae Grixby****

Dane Todd*

  Andy Wingender*

 

 

The Running Backs in Brief...Nebraska lost a pair of experienced veterans from the 2003 team in seniors Judd Davies and Josh Davis. Davies was NU's starting fullback for three years, while Davis held the starting position at I-back for the first 10 games last season. Despite their loss, NU has solid talent and experience at both positions entering spring ball.

Senior fullback Steve Kriewald has been Davies' backup each of the past three seasons. He fits the mold of past Nebraska fullbacks (5-10, 245) and according to Callahan, also fits the West Coast system. Sophomore Dane Todd is listed second at the position entering spring ball.

Junior I-back Cory Ross emerged late last season as a feature back in the Husker offense. Ross rushed for more than 400 yards in the final four games of the season and returns to the No. 1 spot to start spring practice. Redshirt freshman Tierre Green, the cousin of Green Bay Packer All-Pro Ahman Green, dazzled teammates and coaches last fall with his speed and ability and enters spring ball No. 2 at I-back. Junior David Horne has extensive playing experience the past two seasons and will also figure in the mix at the position.

Quarterbacks...

Pos.

Lettermen Lost...

Lettermen Returning...

QB:

JAMMAL LORD**** (13)

Joe Dailey*

 

Brett Lindstrom*

Mike Stuntz**

The Quarterbacks in Brief...Jammal Lord, who held down the starting quarterback job each of the past two seasons, has exhausted his eligibility. Lord finished third on Nebraska's career total offense charts and started all 27 games the past two years.

Sophomore Joe Dailey showed promise as Lord's backup last season and enters spring ball atop the depth chart. Dailey (6-0, 205) was recruited as a dual-threat quarterback, but has exhibited outstanding throwing ability. Junior Mike Stuntz redshirted last season, but has experience after having served as Lord's backup in 2002. Junior Garth Glissman impressed with his passing ability last spring and enters spring practice third on the depth chart.

Callahan said the coaching staff will do everything they can to help the quarterbacks learn and progress in the new offensive system.

"Everything we do structurally is geared toward the quarterback. We want to get a great evaluation of the quarterback, but we never want to put them in a situation where they won't have success. We prepare them in that realm, so if we have them engaged in a pressure drill, we will be able to give them audibles in their hip pocket."