2007 Huskers Offense

Well, with just two weeks until the start of college football, it's probably time for me to take a look at the alma mater's squad.

The biggest question on the offensive side of the ball is who will replace last year's Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, QB Zac Taylor. The presumed winner of the job should be transfer senior Sam Keller, who moved to NU from Arizona State, but junior Joe Gantz is also taking snaps with the first unit and coaches say it's still too close to call, but that the starter will be named in the week before the opener with Nevada. Keller brings a pretty impressive resume and has been touted as a future NFL caliber player, but Gantz is more familiar with Coach C's West Coast system.

The receivers and the O-line are looking to be the strengths of the offense, with 3 juniors and two seniors looking to start on the line and several upperclassmen serving as targets for the QB's. Depth is good in both units, and there are a lot of talented newcomers looking to gain playing time as well. The starters on the line appear to be (left to right) senior tackle Carl Nicks, junior guard Andy Christensen, senior center Brett Byford, junior guard Matt Slauson, and junior tackle Lydon Murtha, with junior Mike Huff, seniors Jordon Picou and Victory Haines and sophomore Jacob Hickman also looking to contribute. At wideout, seniors Maurice Purify (suspended for the opener due to off the field legal issues) and Terrence Nunn lead a group also including seniors Franz Hardy and Dan Erickson (who just earned a walk-on scholarship) as well as juniors Todd Peterson and Nate Swift.

Running back is also a bit unsettled with the early departure of Brandon Jackson to the NFL's Green Bay Packers, but talented juniors Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn both return, along with converted safety Major Culbert. Senior Kenny Wilson reshirts due to a broken leg this spring. Frosh recruit Quentin Castille is also making waves in fall practice and may contribute on short yardage situations. Health is a concern with this group - Lucky suffered a medical issue requiring hospitalization in the spring and a concussion in fall practice and Glenn was slowed by a foot injury late last season that has been slow to heal. The FB position will be decided among seniors Andy Sand, Matt Senske and redshirt frosh Justin Makovicka. Seniors Josh Mueller and JB Phillips return at TE, along with junior Hunter Teafatiller (despite off the field issues) and redshirt frosh Mike McNeill.

I think this will be a good group, perhaps exceeding last year's squad. I would look for them to have better success running the ball against some of the more talented teams, which was an issue at times last year, while the passing game stays at a high level as well. I'm hoping to see more involvement from the TEs this year in the passing game. The biggest issues are having the gentlemen stay out of trouble off the field, the health of the backs and the starting QB situation, which I'm sure will work itself out as both players appear to be performing at a high level in practice.