Gates Used Offseason to Get Stronger, Elevate Status

Randy York’s N-Sider

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If you read USA Today’s six-page 2016 College Football Preview Friday, you might have been surprised to see Nick Gates as one of three Huskers the national publication lists as a preseason first-team All-Big Ten Conference player.

Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp and kicker Drew Brown were almost automatic All-Big Ten selections, but some might have been astonished to see Gates earn one of the five offensive line spots in the powerful Big Ten.

Let the record show that Nebraska offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh is not among those stunned to see Gates leapfrogging bigger conference names. Neither is Mark Philipp, the Huskers’ second-year strength and conditioning coach.

When asked which Husker has elevated his status the most since Nebraska upset UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara, Phillip needed a week to supply me with an analytical answer. He ended up with three Huskers who experienced extreme makeovers through winter and summer conditioning – Kevin Maurice,  a 6-3, 300-pound senior defensive tackle from Orlando; Dedrick Young II, a 6-1, 220-pound sophomore linebacker from Peoria, Ariz.; and Gates, a 6-5, 290-pound sophomore offensive lineman from Las Vegas.

How did Gates leapfrog so many worthy All-Big Ten candidates so fast?

The answer – an eight-month improvement program after his freshman season.   

“Last year, I didn’t think I was as strong as I should have been,” Gates said Thursday. “I had a good year, but I definitely would have had a better year if I’d been stronger. I knew I had to have better footwork and get my body fat down. I also knew I had to get in the weight room, so I could get stronger and quicker. I hit it hard last winter and all summer.”

Hidden Asset for Gates: A Very Comfortable Eight- or Nine-Hour Night’s Sleep

During the off-season, Gates discovered a critical asset for offensive linemen. “Last year, I slept six or seven hours a day. This year, I’m getting an extra two hours of sleep every night,” he said. “It makes a big difference. It really helps your body recover. That motivates you.”

As a freshman, Gates had early morning classes and couldn’t get the sleep he needed. Since conditioning gets more difficult as the year goes on, Gates learned to sleep as much as he could. “You feel energized and a lot better physically when you wake up,” he said. “Sleep is so important that some NFL linemen get their beds as a tax write-off for health reasons."

Philipp is the 5:30 morning offseason bandleader. “When you see him jumping around, it’s hard not to notice how much energy and movement he has,” Gates said. “He definitely inspires us."

What spurred the Huskers on in the offseason was “not being able to get it done in the fourth quarter,” Gates said. “Our conditioning wasn’t all the problem, but it was part of it. We want to be able to push forward when we’re tired. An extra five minutes in a game can be the difference between winning and losing. Our goal is to be in better shape and stronger at the finish.”

Gates believes the Huskers will “move the ball a lot better” this season because “we mesh a lot more in the offensive line this year,” he said. “We want to be a little nastier and more physical.”

Philipp Reflects on Nick Gates’ Tenacity, Temperament and Team-Related Spirit

Here’s a double-dip look at all three Husker “grinders” who worked hard all year to enhance their own skill sets, so they can be more valuable to the team:

“Nick has so much tenacity,” said Philipp (above with Jordan Westerkamp). "Talk about a guy with the temperament to play in the offensive line. He’s a nasty guy. Actually, he’s a nice guy, but turns the light switch on when he gets on the field. He knows when to turn it off, too. Our whole offensive line does a great job in that weight room, and Nick’s a leader.

“During the summer, he’d get those guys together and do what they needed to do. Nick Gates is a guy who’s gotten a ton stronger since he got here. He puts the time in and is the kind of guy who can change the atmosphere when he walks into the room.

“You know what Nick is when you see him. He’s hungry. He’s a student of the game. He’s just a sophomore and wants to lead in the weight room. He stands up for the team. Coach Cav (Mike Cavanaugh) knows exactly what Nick wants. He loves the tenacity of a hungry group of guys who want to be challenged mentally and physically. He wants guys to be big, physical and use their low body strength to move the pile.”

Mark Philipp Believes John Parrella Has Helped Inspire Senior Kevin Maurice

Philipp on Maurice: “Kevin Maurice (No. 55 above) is one of those guys who has a fighting chance to play in the NFL. He’s a stud and has really taken over that defensive line. John Parrella has done a great job with him mentally and physically. Kevin has improved dramatically in strength. It’s big time, and he’s going to have a tremendous year. Kevin’s mentality is great, and I just love having that kid in the weight room. He pushes through things and plays through minor boo boos. I think he’s a great example for the young guys. No matter how sore he gets, he grinds through it. He’s made progress by leaps and bounds. He’s connected well with Coach Parrella, who’s contagious. When you’re around a coach like Parrella every day, it’s pretty hard not to be fired up. John’s done a terrific job with all those guys. They love his personality and demand a lot out of each other. They’re physical, and they know how to influence the team.”

Maurice on his steady improvement: “I feel really good about my off-field conditioning, especially since it’s my last go-round. It’s good to go that extra step every day when you work out with our strength staff, which makes it a lot of fun. For them, it’s not too difficult to go that extra step. They’re all great communicators. They’ve been around the sport and know the mentality that we have to have each day we’re in there. They just do a good job of making the most of the two hours we’re in there. We’ve bought into it and expect the best. Coach Philipp is a good motivator and it affects the whole team. They’ve been able to make it harder than it was in the past, but still make it more fun. When we get going here, I think you’ll see some improvement from last year. They’ve pushed us hard, and we’ve definitely responded.”

Philipp Describes Why Dedrick Young Wasn’t a Normal Freshman Linebacker

Phillip on Dedrick Young: “Dedrick (No. 5 above) was not your normal freshman coming in. He’s more mature. It’s just in the way he approaches things. He’s professional. He learns fast and picks up screens and does that at the highest level possible. He’s not your rah-rah guy, but you can bet he gets after it. He does the right thing on and off the field. He’s been a tremendous guy in that group and has really worked his tail off. He’s never too high and never too low. Talk about a kid who’s always progressing. He’s probably one of the strongest here as a young guy. He can clean about 365 pounds as a sophomore. He pays attention to detail. It’s important for him to do things right. Trent Bray does a terrific job with that group and Dedrick is already a leader. I love having that kid around. He’s going to be awesome in the next couple years and it’s going to be fun to see how he develops.”

Young on how he’s moved up: “For me, it’s about being healthy, eating right and working hard in the weight room throughout winter and summer. We all know that whatever work we put into the weight room is going to pay off on the field. I just try to be the best I can be and do everything I can to help others. This team is all about trying to do it the right way. Everyone is feeling more comfortable and buying into what we have to do. Everybody knows we have to get better every day. I think this defense wants to fly to the ball, be as physical as possible, have some fun and help our brothers who are out there with us.”

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