McKewon: Husker Camp Countdown list shows Matt Rhule, Nebraska have tough task in 2023

In year one, Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule and his assistants have their work cut out for them and will have to rely on newcomers and first-time contributors to take the Huskers to a bowl in 2023. That was my first thought as the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star teams put together this year’s Camp Countdown list. Even as Rhule and Co. added more than 40 players to it, they didn’t put together the majority of this roster. But it’s theirs to develop and coach and, if NU wins six, seven or eight games this year, it’ll be testament to culture working its magic. On paper — our top 50, plus honorable mentions — there is talent but a lot yet to prove. A full one-third of our list is comprised of transfers or true freshman newcomers. Strengths along the offensive line and at safety are offset by question marks of depth at receiver, edge rusher and cornerback. For a second straight year, it’s crucial that a transfer quarterback — this time, Jeff Sims — remain healthy. For the eighth year out of the last nine, you couldn’t pick, for certain, the team’s top running back. Nebraska brought in blue-chip transfers — MJ Sherman, Arik Gilbert, Chief Borders, Corey Collier — who hope to produce more in the Big Ten than their previous stops. The Huskers are likely banking on it. Sherman may be the best example of a player who could improve on NU’s previous performance — but has yet to do it at the college level. The Georgia transfer and Jack linebacker effectively plays the position vacated by Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tannor, two effort guys who played their hearts out — and did not get drafted by any NFL teams. Nelson and Tannor were part of Husker defenses that played smart and tough — and were a half-step short of their goals. So in comes Sherman, a former five-star recruit and quick vocal leader. If he develops quickly — and other players do, too — Nebraska could be a surprise team in the Big Ten West. As it stands, NU does not have roster stuffed with experience like the 2021 team, when the top 20 included Adrian Martinez, Austin Allen, JoJo Domann, Deontai Williams, Marquel Dismuke, Damion Daniels, Cam Jurgens and Cam Taylor-Britt. That group won three games that season. But Nebraska had a harder schedule in 2021, and lacked some strengths the 2023 team might have. It starts with the offensive line, NU’s most experienced group since 2015. “They deeply, deeply care and they want to make everyone proud,” Rhule said earlier this spring on is radio show. “They want to honor the legacy of the pipeline.” Look for where the offensive linemen land in our list. There will be plenty of them. The honorable mention group: Jake Appleget: The Lincoln Southeast product has made the move to tight end from edge rusher and will look to contend for playing time in certain personnel groupings. Closer to a H-back than in-line blocker, Appleget’s receiving skills, well-honed as a Knight, should come in handy. Timmy Bleekrode: Nebraska’s incumbent starting kicker has his hands full with incoming freshman Tristan Alvano. Bleekrode may have a slight edge going into camp — he’s more experienced — but kicking is kicking, and if Alvano makes more in August, he may get a look in September. Bleekrode is a decent backup punter, too. Jeremiah Charles: A bouncy, impressive athlete out of Arlington (Texas) Martin High School, Charles, like several other true freshman receivers, has an outside chance to earn playing time in 2023. He’s played just one year of a high school after spending most of his time focusing on track and basketball. Charles was strong in all three. Justin Evans-Jenkins: A redshirt freshman center whom Nebraska really likes once presumptive starter Ben Scott heads off to the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 290-pound Evans-Jenkins wasn’t quite ready to take the job in 2023, so Scott, a pro prospect, transferred in Arizona State. He’s high on the list. Barrett Liebentritt: The Notre Dame transfer is coming in to play fullback for the Huskers, and he may have as good of a chance as any guy in the room, presuming Janiran Bonner is more of a fullback. Liebentritt, a Omaha Skutt graduate, was an asset on special teams for the Fighting Irish. Marco Ortiz: The prohibitive favorite to be Nebraska’s long snapper typically makes our honorable mention, since you’ll only know Ortiz did his job, this season, if you don’t hear about him. NU was willing to spend a scholarship to bring Ortiz to Lincoln, which speaks to NU’s appreciation for good special teams. Maverick Noonan: Top-shelf pass rusher recruit from the 2023 class plays a fairly stacked position — Jack linebacker — and may get a redshirt year to add a little extra weight. He’ll be a big part of NU’s future plans, though. Riley Van Poppel: Just-arrived defensive tackle signee who, like Noonan, has potential aplenty at a difficult position. Because Van Poppel is likely to play an interior tackle spot, one could see him being a four-game redshirt in 2023. Grant Tagge: Already a stalwart on NU’s special teams, Tagge could be in the two-deep — at least in the three-deep — at linebacker. The Omaha Westside graduate, technically a sophomore, has expanded his role each year in Lincoln. Kai Wallin: Junior college edge rusher who likely fills a depth role in 2023. Because Wallin spent just one year at American River Community College in California, the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder could in theory have a four-game redshirt this season and still have three years left of eligibility.