LINCOLN — There are good reasons the Nebraska offensive staff will be closely watching Jermarcus Hardrick when spring practice starts Wednesday.

For one, Hardrick was a prized catch in this last recruiting class, a junior-college transfer potentially capable of helping the Huskers right away.

In addition to that general curiosity, however, is the domino effect that could follow for the NU offensive line if Hardrick is ready to compete as expected.

“We want it at all positions, all across the board, where you have to earn your job,'' offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “Nothing's going to be given. Everybody's going to be earning their keep.

“One of the huge intents of spring ball is to let the competition fall where it may.''

NU returns four starters on the offensive line. Watson said Hardrick will begin at left tackle, his natural position and a fit because he's left-handed.

If it appears to be going well, the Huskers suddenly might have flexibility with senior-to-be Mike Smith, the starter the past two seasons at left tackle.

Early in Smith's career, because of his size and athleticism, coaches thought he would be a good inside player, Watson said. Perhaps even a center.

“It never went that way because of the need at left tackle,” Watson said. “He won that job as a sophomore, and it kind of all panned out.''

Watson cautioned that nothing is “etched in stone'' as Nebraska starts spring practice Wednesday, the first of 14 sessions before the April 17 Red-White game.

“Obviously,” he said, “what we're trying to do is get the best five on the field, and the next best five in backup roles.”

In addition to Smith at left tackle and Marcel Jones at right tackle, NU returns Keith Williams at left guard and Ricky Henry at right guard. The only loss from last season, albeit a major one, was center Jacob Hickman.

Former walk-on Mike Caputo was the No. 2 center behind Hickman last season. Cole Pensick, a redshirt freshman out of Lincoln Northeast, has moved to center from the defensive line. Another possible center candidate is redshirt freshman Nick Ash from Keller, Texas.

And ...

“We may even look at Mike Smith there,'' Watson said. “And I use the term ‘may.'”

D.J. Jones started the final three games at right tackle last season when Marcel Jones was injured, and the senior out of Omaha Central will lead what Watson expects to be competition everywhere and all the time. Also trying to break through will be Brandon Thompson, Brent Qvale, Jeremiah Sirles and Jesse Coffey.

Two years ago, NU assistant coach Barney Cotton arrived to find 12 scholarship linemen. But he had just eight available by the fall of 2008. When Andrew Rodriguez and Mike Moudy arrive in August, Cotton will have 16 for 2010.

“We've just got more guys,'' Watson said. “We've got depth and we've got good depth, and that's going to create competition.''

The future success of the offense rides on a lot of positions and factors, but the offensive line is one area where the Huskers can definitely improve.

Watson hopes it triggers more of what Husker fans saw in the Holiday Bowl, when NU put together 396 total yards and 33 points against Arizona. Zac Lee was effective both throwing and running the ball, Nebraska used both spread and power sets, and the Wildcat formation produced some success for I-back Rex Burkhead.

“We've built ourselves to what we want to be,'' Watson said. “We're getting back to being us.

“The kids know what our philosophy is. The majority of them have been raised in it for a couple years. They know what we do and what we believe in. They know what we're going to do and what we're going to be.''

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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