Filed by Jon Nyatawa at 3:25 p.m.

When Marvin Sanders assesses the potential of junior Eric Hagg, he can't help but get a little jealous.

The 6-foot-2 Hagg – who weighs 207 pounds but has the frame to add even more – possesses as much physical talent as anyone Sanders has seen.

“I've tried to tell him all along that if I had half his ability, I'd still be playing or collecting a healthy retirement now,” said Sanders, Nebraska's secondary coach.

So far this year, Hagg's played entirely as Nebraska's nickel back, and he's been steadily improving in that role.

But apparently, according to Sanders, Hagg has the skill to do everything.

“He's agile and athletic enough that I can play him at corner, physical enough to play that nickel linebacker spot and rangy enough that I can play him at safety,” Sanders said.

It will be interesting to see how much Hagg develops throughout the season.

Hagg's worked as a safety at times in practice, but at this moment, it appears that the Huskers would choose between redshirt freshman P.J. Smith and sophomore Austin Cassidy if they had to replace one of their starting senior safeties – Larry Asante and Matt O'Hanlon.

Nebraska will have plenty of opportunities to utilize Hagg's talents, though.

The next two NU opponents, Missouri and Texas Tech, boast potent passing games. The Huskers won't hesitate to utilize nickel and dime packages to match up with multiple receiver sets.

With that in mind, the staff has tried to create depth behind Hagg. But that's not an easy process. The nickel back position is tough to learn.

Redshirt freshman Courtney Osborne, sophomore Anthony Blue and junior Dejon Gomes have all practiced in that nickel spot at one time or another this year. Hagg said he's a mentor to those players, mainly because he knows exactly what they're going through.

“I didn't understand it at all (last season),” Hagg said. “But at the same time, I was in their position last year, (so) I understand exactly where they're at.”

« Blog - Big Red Today

Share