Outside linebacker JoJo Domann is back at practice. Coach Scott Frost confirmed the news on Friday, saying Domann had been home in Colorado rehabbing from an undisclosed injury. Domann had previously been left off the Huskers’ 110-man roster for fall camp while he recovered.
"He had a good feeling about being home for a couple more days just to continue the rehab work he'd been doing when he was home," Frost said following Friday’s practice. "As long as he wasn't in the 110, I couldn't make him be here. So we picked a date we both felt like he was going to be ready and he came back when he was supposed to and now he's part of the team. Everything looks good."
Regardless of Domann’s status, Frost wants to see more improvement overall from the outside linebackers. That goes particularly for senior Alex Davis.
"He'd be the first to tell you that last year there were times he was in the right place or doing the right thing but at the moment of truth, he didn't make the play," Frost said. "And some of that, I think, he was thinking too much. This year he's cutting it loose. He looks a lot better in pass rush."
Frost also specifically mentioned senior Tyrin Ferguson, sophomore Caleb Tannor and freshman Garrett Nelson as other outside linebackers doing good things for the Huskers so far during fall camp.
"That group is improved,” Frost said. “And we need to keep pushing.”
More news and notes:
>> Two running backs that have impressed Frost through fall camp? Junior Dedrick Mills and sophomore Maurice Washington. Frost complimented Mills’ work ethic and Washington’s quickness.
>> When it comes to the defense’s mentality, Frost focused on turnovers and three and outs.
"We talked to our defense about getting the ball back," Frost said. "If a team drives it and we get a turnover and we get the ball back, that can sometimes be just as good as a three and out. The biggest stat for us is going to be turnovers and the other thing I wants to see us improve a little is three and outs. They make a big difference so we can get the ball in better field position offensively."
>> Frost was complimentary of the quarterbacks on Friday, who he said is “doing a good job” so far.
"We're vastly improved at that position from the number one guy all the way down the roster,” Frost said. “It was a little depressing at times last year going into a few games with one, maybe two healthy quarterbacks. Noah [Vedral] has been throwing the ball as well as I've seen him throw it. Obviously, he's athletic and is familiar with our scheme. Luke [McCaffrey] is doing some really good things throwing the ball, also making a bunch of plays with his legs. He's picked up the offense really fast. Bunchy [Andrew Bunch] has improved drastically. Matt Masker's making some good plays, so we're at a lot better place at that position. I wish our season would come down to 4 x 1 relay with our quarterback group against everybody else's because we've got some guys that can run."
>> Worried about the physicality of practice? Don’t be. The Huskers have actually been so physical in Week 1 of fall camp that the coaches have had to dial it back.
"We've had to have talks two nights in a row about slowing them down, because we've been a little too reckless," Frost said. "Not in a bad way, but I would much rather have a team that I have to tell to slow down a little bit than one I have to make go faster."
>> With that said, the fun has also returned for Frost. He wasn’t always having fun during the 2018 season, but that’s been different so far in fall camp.
“Last year at times it was hard to coach,” Frost said. “This year, everyone shows up with a smile on their face. There’s not a person I’m not happy to talk to. A ton of things have gotten better over the last year.”
Maybe that’s why—as some fans pointed out on Wednesday—Frost appears more relaxed at practice.
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Erin is the Deputy Editor and Digital Marketing Strategist for Hail Varsity. She has covered Nebraska athletics since 2012, which has included stops at Bleacher Report, Cox Media Group’s Land of 10, and even Hail Varsity (previously from 2012-2017). She has also been featured on the Big Ten Network, NET’s Big Red Wrap-Up, and a varsity of radio shows nationwide. When not covering the Huskers, Erin is probably at Chipotle.
