A look at key positions, players, and more as Husker football spring practice gets underway in Lincoln. Click here to see a PDF of the preview section

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Get used to these names

Baker Steinkuhler, DT, sophomore
P.J. Smith, S, sophomore
Jermarcus Hardrick, OT, junior
Eric Martin, LB, sophomore
Brandon Kinnie, WR, junior

Monitor these positions

• Quarterback: With Zac Lee out, what can Cody Green and others get done?

• Offensive line: Don't be surprised to see battles waged and changes come about.

• Linebacker: It's possible that three sophomores will emerge with No. 1 jobs.

• Safety: Two new starters need to emerge from rebuilding project.

Veterans who can shine

Prince Amukamara, CB, senior
Niles Paul, WR, senior
Pierre Allen, DE, senior
Mike McNeill, WR/TE, senior
Jared Crick, DT, junior
Alex Henery, P/K, senior
Roy Helu, IB, senior

Walk-ons to watch

Austin Cassidy, S, junior
Tyler Legate, FB, junior
Justin Jackson, DT, sophomore
Justin Blatchford, CB/ST, sophomore
Graham Stoddard, LB/ST, sophomore
Mathew May, LB, junior

Quarterbacks

Who's No. 1?

Safe to say this won't be determined until August, since senior Zac Lee will miss spring practice because of January arm surgery. So does that give sophomore Cody Green a better chance of supplanting Lee in the starting job that Lee held for 12 of 14 games last season? Probably depends on what Green does over the 14 practices and in the Red-White game. Lee helped himself with a solid Holiday Bowl, directing the offense that Shawn Watson envisions the Huskers running in 2010.

Call for backup

Latravis Washington was No. 3 last season, but Watson will want to get good looks at sophomore Kody Spano and redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez. Spano is coming back from a second torn ACL, so his health is worth watching. If Martinez doesn't work his way into the mix, his athleticism and running ability might be good enough for him to be inserted into special packages.

Who's out/in

NU did not have a senior quarterback last year, so the bunch remains intact. Spano, Martinez and Ron Kellogg all redshirted. Brion Carnes will join the lineup in the fall.

Spring things

• Watson has a possible twist on the Wildcat formation that NU debuted in the Holiday Bowl: A quarterback might take the snap instead of I-back Rex Burkhead.

• Expect the Huskers to spread out the spring practice reps, but Green will get his share. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder started games vs. Baylor and Oklahoma last season.

• Former NU baseball player Joe Broekemeier joined the team last August as a walk-on QB but is now listed at receiver.

Running backs

Who's No. 1?

There might be a No. 1 and 1A with senior Roy Helu and sophomore Rex Burkhead, who both ran into injury problems but had their moments in 2009. Helu hurt a shoulder at Missouri and dealt with it for several weeks, but still managed 1,147 yards overall. Burkhead came back from a broken foot to carry a combined 52 times against Colorado, Texas and Arizona. However it works out, Nebraska should like its 1-2 punch if both stay healthy. Tyler Legate returns at fullback.

Call for backup

Injuries forced NU to pull Dontrayevous Robinson from a redshirt at midseason, but offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said it helped with his development and confidence. “We need that big back,'' Watson said, “and that's who he is.'' With Helu, Burkhead and Robinson, carries might be hard to come by for Lester Ward, Collins Okafor, Marcus Mendoza and Austin Jones. Mike Hays also returns at fullback.

Who's out/in

All of the I-backs return, and touted recruit Braylon Heard comes aboard in August. C.J. Zimmerer comes off a redshirt season to join the fullback mix.

Spring things

• Helu is the third-leading returning rusher from 2009 in the Big 12 behind Daniel Thomas of Kansas State (1,265 yards) and Alexander Robinson of Iowa State (1,195).

• Helu led all NU backs with 19 receptions.

• Watson said the use of Burkhead in the Wildcat formation — used prominently in the Holiday Bowl — will remain in the arsenal.

Wide Receivers

Who's No. 1?

It will be up to the rest to catch Niles Paul and Brandon Kinnie, with former tight end Mike McNeill joining the group as a slot receiver. Paul distinguished himself with a team-high 40 receptions as a junior, including nine that went for 35 yards or more. Kinnie didn't post huge numbers (15 receptions, zero TDs) but the junior college transfer started to get established late in his first season as a Husker. Paul is 6-1 and Kinnie 6-3, and they're both strong and solid 215-pounders. McNeill has caught 60 passes over the past two seasons.

Call for backup

Among those getting second chances to help this season will be Curenski Gilleylen, Antonio Bell, Khiry Cooper and Will Henry. Other returning scholarship players are Steven Osborne and Tim Marlowe.

Who's out/in

Menelik Holt, who started out with a No. 1 job but lost it after five games and finished with just 15 catches, is gone, along with Chris Brooks and Wes Cammack. The signees (Kenny Bell, Quincy Enunwa and Tyler Evans) likely will be redshirt candidates next fall.

Spring things

• Paul averaged 19.9 per reception, by far the best among Big 12 receivers with 40 or more catches. Paul ran a 1.40-second 10-yard dash in winter conditioning to break a school record.

• Because he played only one JC season, Kinnie will only be a junior in 2010.

• Gilleylen had 16 of his 17 receptions in the Huskers' first seven games last season.

• Cooper is missing his second spring practice to again play for the baseball team.

Tight ends

Who's No. 1?

With everybody back, it looked to be status quo — until it was revealed that Mike McNeill was going to practice at receiver this spring. Thanks to a number of two-tight end alignments on the first play from scrimmage, Dreu Young started nine games last season (and now 13 for his career). It would appear that Young and sophomores Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed stand to gain the most, but that trio combined for just 16 receptions in 2009.

Call for backup

After Young, Cotton and Reed, the Huskers also have junior Ryan Hill and freshman J.T. Kerr, who redshirted last season. Hill generally is more prominent in blocking than receiving schemes. All told, they accounted for 46 catches last season (Kerr redshirted).

Who's out/in

Other than the McNeill move, the Huskers did not lose a scholarship tight end. Joining the bunch next season will be junior-college transfer Chase Harper, a 6-foot-5, 250-pounder from Pflugerville, Texas, who could shake up the rotation.

Spring things

• McNeill was on target to overtake Matt Herian (65 career receptions) as the Huskers' all-time leader for receptions by a tight end, so it's unclear how that plays out. McNeill already set the single-season mark in 2008 with 32.

• Two of Hill's five career catches are TDs.

• Cotton scored touchdowns last season on both a reception (at Colorado) and a fumble recovery (vs. Louisiana-Lafayette).

• Reed's longest of his six receptions, a 22-yarder at Baylor, left him injured and out the following two weeks.

Linemen

Who's No. 1?

It might take all 14 practices and the spring game to determine what happens up front. The wild card is JC transfer Jermarcus Hardrick, whom offensive coordinator Shawn Watson calls a natural left tackle. If Hardrick emerges, NU might look at Mike Smith elsewhere. Smith (left tackle), Keith Williams (left guard), Ricky Henry (right guard) and Marcel Jones (right tackle) are all returning starters. Former walk-on Mike Caputo will get a shot at winning the center job.

Call for backup

Assistant coach Barney Cotton is finally developing some depth after having eight scholarship linemen two years ago. D.J. Jones is the most experienced of the returnees, but Brandon Thompson also is expected to fight for work, and Brent Qvale, Jeremiah Sirles, Nick Ash and Jesse Coffey are all coming off redshirt seasons.

Who's out/in

NU lost Jacob Hickman, Derek Meyer and Andy Christensen, but Hickman clearly is the biggest loss after starting 37 games in three seasons. Quentin Toailoa also isn't coming back. Cole Pensick is moving from the defensive line to center, and the stable will grow larger when recruits Andrew Rodriguez and Mike Moudy come later.

Spring things

• Smith leads all NU returning linemen with 26 career starts at left tackle.

• Although only midway through his NU career, Marcel Jones has played in 24 games. The junior was held out of the final three games of 2009 with an ankle injury.

• D.J. Jones started for Marcel Jones against Colorado, Texas and Arizona.

Ends

Who's No. 1?

Pierre Allen is the sure thing, returning for his third season as a starter. Allen battled all kinds of injury problems last fall but still produced 51 tackles (12 for losses), five sacks and eight quarterback hurries. He will be the only senior on the defensive line. The early edge on the other side goes to sophomore Cameron Meredith, who played in all 14 games last season, made 21 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Call for backup

Those lining up behind Allen and Meredith are mostly an inexperienced and unproven bunch. Jason Ankrah is among the first to watch, coming off a redshirt season after he was given a long look in camp last August. Josh Williams will be heading into his third year in the program. Chase Rome arrived in January and will go through spring practice, but there might be some consideration to moving the 6-3, 290-pounder inside.

Who's out/in

Veteran Barry Turner is gone after posting similar numbers to Allen last season and earning significant playing time throughout his career. David Harvey is gone, too. NU went after help here with Rome, Walker Ashburn, Donovan Vestal and Tobi Okuyemi, but the last three won't come until summer.

Spring things

• Allen has had back-to-back seasons with at least 50 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. After some time off, he had four tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in the Holiday Bowl. “That's when you were really like, ‘Wow, that's what he's capable of doing when he's healthy,'” NU defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said.

Tackles

Who's No. 1?

Jared Crick went from being a question mark at this point last season to one of the Huskers' top returnees for 2010. The junior-to-be will now be asked to anchor the interior with Ndamukong Suh gone. Who replaces Suh? The first crack at it will go to sophomore Baker Steinkuhler and junior Terrence Moore. For what it's worth, Steinkuhler had a more productive redshirt freshman season in 2009 than Crick did in 2008.

Call for backup

Steinkuhler and Moore should still play a lot of football regardless of who wins the starting job, and a bigger Thaddeus Randle joins the list after coming off a redshirt season. The NU staff has liked walk-on Justin Jackson, and 300-pound freshman Jay Guy was a January enrollee who gets a jump by practicing this spring.

Who's out/in?

How do you even estimate the impact of losing Suh? Guy is the top addition at tackle, but it's not clear whether somebody like Chase Rome or Jake Cotton will end up inside as well.

Spring things

• Who would have thought Crick would account for 70 tackles, 9½ sacks and 16 QB hurries as a sophomore? Crick had at least one tackle for a loss in eight games.

• It was only two seasons ago that Baker Steinkuhler's brother held one of the starting defensive tackle spots. Ty Steinkuhler made 48 tackles and 2½ sacks playing next to Suh.

• Carl Pelini is expected to be more of a walk-around defensive coordinator and leave most of the defensive line coaching for assistant John Papuchis.

Linebackers

Who's No. 1?

Although the use of dime and nickel defenses meant less playing time for NU's linebackers, both Sean Fisher (strongside) and Will Compton (middle) are considered returning starters. Those two, redshirt freshmen in 2009, appear set to hold those spots through spring practice. It might be too early to pick a favorite at the weakside position, but Eric Martin might have a good angle on the spot after standing out when he was on the field last fall, mostly on special teams.

Call for backup

Alonzo Whaley, Mathew May, Micah Kreikemeier and Matt Holt will be among those helping with depth. Could Whaley make his move during the spring?

Who's out/in

No more Phillip Dillard, who turned around his career and became an NFL prospect. Also finished at NU are Colton Koehler, Blake Lawrence and Chris Williams — the latter two with eligibility remaining. The only newcomer is Lavonte David, a junior-college transfer who could shake up lots of things in preseason camp.

Spring things

• Compton started eight games and Fisher started six last season, and the two combined for 75 tackles.

• Dillard finished with 83 tackles and would have led the team if not for sitting the first two games last season.

• No linebacker has led the Huskers in tackles since Steve Octavien in 2007.

• Both Kreikemeier and Holt are coming back from knee injuries.

• Martin found his niche as a special-teams force, including getting credit for two blocked kicks.

Safeties

Who's No. 1?

There might not be another position with as much uncertainty this spring as Nebraska tries to replace Larry Asante and Matt O'Hanlon. But on paper, there is talent to draw from. Eric Hagg would be considered an option, but defensive coordinator Carl Pelini has to weigh the pros and cons of taking the senior out of the nickel back role Hagg has had the last two seasons. P.J. Smith and Austin Cassidy are definite options. So is Rickey Thenarse, but the veteran is coming off major knee surgery. “That's all something we've got 15 practices to figure out,” Pelini said.

Call for backup

Besides the players above, Courtney Osborne and walk-on Jim Ebke should get some spring practice snaps.

Who's out/in

Asante was a three-year starter and O'Hanlon a two-year starter at safety, so their departures will be felt. NU appears to have found good safety prospects in recruits Corey Cooper and Harvey Jackson. Former Millard South quarterback Bronson Marsh also is expected to start out at safety.

Spring things

• Smith played in all 14 games and made 15 tackles last season. He saw some meaningful time when starters were temporarily banged up in games.

• Cassidy is a walk-on and the son of Tim Cassidy, the Huskers' former assistant athletic director for football.

• Thenarse was granted a medical redshirt after being injured in the Huskers' third game a year ago. He is expected to be close to ready for the start of spring drills.

Cornerbacks

Who's No. 1?

Prince Amukamara and Alfonzo Dennard became a strong pair of bookends last season and could be tough to supplant. They brought a physical and aggressive style that Nebraska had been missing. Amukamara really came into his own as a junior in his first full-time duty, finishing with 64 tackles and five interceptions. Dennard wrestled a No. 1 job away from Anthony West after four games, although West not only returns but is expected to challenge for his old spot.

Call for backup

Depth has become an obvious plus here, with players such as West, Anthony Blue, Andrew Green, Lazarri Middleton, Dijon Washington, Jase Dean, Lance Thorell and Justin Blatchford all waiting for chances. And then there's DeJon Gomes, who thrived in a dime defensive role last year and became a playmaker with four interceptions and a team-high three forced fumbles.

Who's out/in

There were no losses to graduation at cornerback. The cupboard grew fuller on signing day when the Huskers added Ciante Evans and Josh Mitchell.

Spring things

• Green, Middleton and Washington all redshirted in 2009. By contrast, Amukamara and Dennard both played as first-year freshmen in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

• Because of his size (6-1, 200) and athletic ability, Amukamara should be an attractive NFL draft prospect next spring. His five interceptions last season were the most by a Husker corner since Barron Miles in 1994.

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