The first full week of Nebraska’s fall camp has now come to an end. “Effort and attitude” have impressed coach Scott Frost the most so far, especially when it comes to the quarterback spot.
Frost said the Huskers are trying to “throw everything” at the backup quarterbacks quick through fall camp, an approach they’ve taken each year. Logan Smothers and Heinrich Haarberg are the two vying for that backup spot behind starter Adrian Martinez, and Nebraska is throwing a lot at them. That’s especially the case for Haarberg.
“I have no idea how it will shake out right now but they’re both doing good things,” Frost said. “Whatever decision we make for Game 1 might not be the decision for Game 2.”
That could mean Nebraska uses a co-No. 2 situation at times for the quarterback spot, but none of that is set in stone at this time.
One thing that is becoming more solid is the depth chart, which Frost said Nebraska is “already kind of there” with. “Most positions are pretty solidified,” he said before noting that the staff is pushing young players “pretty hard,” and he’s been impressed with a number of young players early. He mentioned that guys like Markese Stepp and Gabe Ervin Jr. have been particularly impressive, benefitting from their spring at Nebraska.
As far as the wide receiver spot, Frost said he has eight or nine players vying for six spots in the rotation. The Huskers are not yet to a place where they have that figured out, but a number of players are stepping up.
“I feel good about the receiver group,” he said. “There is a lot of competition there to get into the top six. I expect six to play for the most part.”
The Huskers plan to hold a scrimmage in two days, but Frost expects it to be a shorter scrimmage. He plans to have a bigger scrimmage next week before Nebraska turns its attention to game prep for Illinois.
More news and notes:
>> A few minor injuries after the first full week, but nothing major outside of Randolph Kpai. Frost mentioned that he’ll be out “a little longer” but that they were liking what he was doing prior to injury.
“He was doing some really good things in camp too so we’re really excited about his future,” Frost said.
>> As far as Stepp’s injury from spring, Frost has “been pleasantly surprised” by his progress.
“I still don’t think he’s 100% but he’s stacked some pretty good practices together,” Frost said.
>> Zavier Betts said earlier in the week that he didn’t think he had a good spring.
“If he said that, I think he was being humble,” Frost said. He added that Betts had a good spring and is also having a good fall so far.
>> The punter position is still up for grabs, as well as the kickoff specialist spot.
>> Gerrod Lambrecht, who served as Frost’s Chief of Staff, is moving on from the program. Frost announced the decision on Friday, saying “he had a business opportunity he wanted to go try.” The new opportunity will help the players “in another way.”
“He’s responsible for a lot of the progress we’ve made here,” Frost said. “He’s one of my best friends in the world, and he’s been infinitely valuable to me.”
Andrew Sims, who is currently listed as the Director of Football Operations, will step into Lambrecht’s role.
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.
