HuskerOnline.com's 2014 Top 40 players: 31-35
Voting Panel: HuskerOnline.com publisher Sean Callahan, HuskerOnline.com senior writer Robin Washut, HuskerOnline.com staff writer Dan Hoppen, HuskerOnline.com recruiting expert Nate Clouse and HuskerOnline.com video producer Gregg Peterson.
| No. 35 PK Drew Brown | Analysis | |
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Southlake Carroll HS Southlake, Texas Height: 5-11 Depth Chart Projection:starting place kicker 2013 Stats: Made 9-of-11 field goals as a high school senior, with a long of 51 yards, and made 89-of-90 PAT attempts Recent Update: |
It's hard to gauge where a player like Brown will end up in Nebraska's lineup without ever having seen him kick in person, but based on his production in high school and the Huskers' obvious lack of proven depth at kicker coming out of spring practice, odds are the freshman will come in and compete for a starting job from Day 1. Brown is an NU legacy who understands full well what it means to be a kicker at Nebraska, and as long as he can show consistency and composure during fall camp, there's no reason to believe he won't have a good shot to pass up Mauro Bondi as the top place kicker. |
| Voting Rundown: Sean Callahan: 36 / Dan Hoppen: 30 / Robin Washut: 39 / Nate Clouse: 31 / Gregg Peterson: NR | ||
| No. 34 WR Brandon Reilly | Analysis | |
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Southwest HS Lincoln, Neb. Height: 6-1 Depth Chart Projection:Backup wide receiver 2013 Stats: Played in 10 games and caught three passes for 24 yards Recent Update: |
There may not have been a player to come seemingly out of nowhere and garner more hype over the course of spring ball than Reilly. Known as one of the fastest and most athletic players not only in the wide receiver room, but on the entire team, the walk-on from Lincoln made himself impossible to ignore after an impressive performance during spring practice, highlighted with four catches for a team-high 92 yards in the annual Red-White Game. With Kenny Bell sitting as the lone proven upperclassman at the position, the door is wide open for Reilly to continue his rapid rise and become a mainstay in Nebraska's passing game this season and beyond. |
| Voting Rundown: Sean Callahan: 31 / Dan Hoppen: NR / Robin Washut: 32 / Nate Clouse: 33 / Gregg Peterson: 35 | ||
| No. 33 LB/DE Marcus Newby | Analysis | |
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Quince Orchard HS North Potomac, Md. Height: 6-1 Depth Chart Projection:Backup linebacker/defensive end 2013 Stats: None Recent Update: |
Seeing how crowded Nebraska's linebacker spots were and how thin it was at defensive end going into spring practice, the coaching staff decided to experiment a bit and move Newby down to the rush end position in the nickel and dime packages. It didn't take long to see that they were definitely on to something with the move, as Newby immediately showed a natural pass rushing ability and serious speed off the edge. Assuming he can add some bulk to his frame over the course of the summer and fall camp, Newby could eventually evolve into the same role that guys like Demorrio Williams and Eric Martin thrived in under Bo Pelini. |
| Voting Rundown: Sean Callahan: 31 / Dan Hoppen: 29 / Robin Washut: NR / Nate Clouse: 37 / Gregg Peterson: 35 | ||
| No. 32 P Sam Foltz | Analysis | |
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Grand Island HS Grand Island, Neb. Height: 6-1 Depth Chart Projection:Starting punter 2013 Stats: Started 13 games and averaged 41.9 yards per punt Recent Update: |
Foltz came into last season as a redshirt freshman walk-on and quickly emerged as Nebraska's top option at punter. Boasting a booming leg that helped NU rank fourth in the Big Ten in net punting in 2013, Foltz should only continue to get better and better with the more experience he gets. He'll need to continue to work on his overall punting accuracy and consistency, but he very well could establish himself as one of the top punters in the conference by the time he's done once he puts it all together. |
| Voting Rundown: Sean Callahan: 29 / Dan Hoppen: 32 / Robin Washut: 33 / Nate Clouse: 30 / Gregg Peterson: NR | ||
| No. 31 OL Ryne Reeves | Analysis | |
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Crete HS Crete, Neb. Height: 6-3 Depth Chart Projection:Backup offensive lineman 2013 Stats: Played in 10 games Recent Update: |
When he's healthy, Reeves is a valuable piece in Nebraska's offensive line mix because of his versatile skill set and ability to play both the center and guard positions. However, injuries have held him back throughout his Husker career, including suffering head and ankle injuries during this past spring ball. Assuming Reeves can stay on the field, he could easily become a mainstay in NU's o-line rotation, as he was battling head-to-head with Mark Pelini for the No. 1 center job through the first two weeks of spring prior to his ankle injury. |
| Voting Rundown: Sean Callahan: 25 / Dan Hoppen: 22 / Robin Washut: 34 / Nate Clouse: 35 / Gregg Peterson: 31 |
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