LINCOLN — It may take a couple of games before Nebraska's staff has settled on a stable rotation at wide receiver, according to the team's head coach.

Bo Pelini said Friday that no starting lineups will be set until next week, but the ongoing competition at wideout could keep the coaches altering the depth chart well into the season.

Other than fall camp standout Niles Paul, Pelini said, none of the NU receivers has emerged. There's plenty of talent there, according to Pelini, but he and the staff aren't sure who will respond when the game's on the line.

“Everybody out there's made a play at times, but unfortunately, it's kind of a mix of guys,” Pelini said. “We're not really sure who's going to step out there and really take control of the position.”

Pelini mentioned several candidates: senior Menelik Holt, senior Chris Brooks, junior Will Henry, sophomore Curenski Gilleylen, true freshman Antonio Bell and even redshirt freshman Khiry Cooper. According to Pelini, Cooper has the physical skills to help the team, even though he played baseball last spring and missed all 15 practices.

“I think he came a long way last year,” Pelini said. “He's a talented young man. I expect him to really step up and make some plays for us this year.”

Hickman gives line stability

Nebraska appears to have at least one reliable veteran on its ever-changing offensive line: senior center Jacob Hickman.

Seemingly all of the linemen have moved from position to position throughout preseason camp as the NU staff has tried to assemble the best five.

Tackle Marcel Jones has played both on the left and right sides. Guard Andy Christensen has, too. Derek Meyer is a guard, though he played tackle at times last spring. D.J. Jones played guard last year, but has practiced as a tackle this month. And left tackle Mike Smith missed some time due to injury.

But through all the lineup alterations, Hickman has been a dependable source of leadership, according to Pelini. The players look up to Hickman, a 23-game starter who doesn't necessarily need to motivate with words.

“He's just a smart, good football player who really understands the game and is on top of everything,” Pelini said. “He's not really a rah-rah guy, but at the same time, the guys respect him and they know he knows what he's doing. Obviously, he kind of leads by example.”

Huskers will need ‘A game' in opener

Apparently, Florida Atlantic is going to bring some quickness to the field next week.

Both Pelini and wide receiver Chris Brooks separately mentioned the Owls' speed as a strength when they discussed Nebraska's first opponent of the season.

Pelini said Florida Atlantic is a talented team, especially on offense. And fifth-year senior quarterback Rusty Smith, the Sun Belt preseason co-offensive player of the year, has plenty of experience leading that unit.

“Obviously, the quarterback's a really good player,” Pelini said. “They have some good running backs. They have some speed on the outside on offense.”

Brooks said the Owls are just as athletic on defense.

“They've got some linebackers that love to get downhill and make plays on the ball,” Brooks said. “It's a good defense. .... We're going to have to bring our A game.”

— Jon Nyatawa

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