The World-Herald is counting down the top 50 Nebraska football players you need to know heading into the season. Today we highlight No. 39, Blaise Gunnerson.
The World-Herald is counting down the top 50 Nebraska football players you need to know heading into the season.
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39. Blaise Gunnerson
Blaise Gunnerson likely begins this season as a backup pass rusher, but he could earn more opportunities depending on the formations Nebraska deploys.
6-6, 255 • Redshirt freshman • Outside linebacker
Gunnerson tasted his first significant action last season against Iowa and Wisconsin.
He made plays — two tackles and one tackle for loss — but Nebraska wants to see more.
Gunnerson likely begins this season as a backup pass rusher, but he could earn more opportunities if Nebraska deploys formations designed to play Ochaun Mathis, Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tannor together.
Mathis, Nelson and Tannor will need breaks. Gunnerson needs reps. Both parties can help the other.
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No. 50 Eteva Mauga-Clements
Nebraska needs Eteva Mauga-Clements’ seasoned-leadership on special teams. But it could probably use him on the Husker defense, too. Read more here.
No. 49 Noa Pola-Gates
This season will be Noa Pola-Gates’ fourth at Nebraska, which means it’s time to produce. The Huskers added two juco safeties this offseason, but Pola-Gates has experience in NU’s defense. Read more here.
No. 48 Brant Banks
Odds are decent that the Huskers will need a pinch-hitter along the offensive line at some point. Banks’ positional versatility makes him a prime candidate to fill that need. Read more here.
No. 47 Mosai Newsom
Nebraska addressed its defensive line needs in the transfer portal, but it’s still crucial for incumbents like Mosai Newsom to flash. Read more here.
No. 46 Gabe Ervin
Nebraska's running back room has changed significantly since Gabe Ervin won the starting job and then suffered a season-ending injury. Can he make up for lost time fast enough to maintain a significant role this season? Read more here.
No. 45 Nate Boerkircher
Nate Boerkircher shined during the spring while half of Nebraska’s tight ends missed time with injury. Read more here.
No. 44 Logan Smothers
The storyline to watch this season with Logan Smothers is whether he can win the backup quarterback job. Long term, it’s how much he can develop as a passer under Mark Whipple. Read more here.
No. 43 Marcus Washington
There’s a lot of evidence suggesting Nebraska has significant plans for Marcus Washington. But there are a few uncertainties. Read more here.
No. 42 Jimari Butler
Nebraska has been patient with Jimari Butler. But three years in, it’s time to see what he can do. Read more here.
No. 41 Janiran Bonner
Janiran Bonner only arrived on campus this summer, but he has the build and athleticism to earn snaps this year. Read more here.
No. 40 DeShon Singleton
DeShon Singleton should play this season. He’s big enough, fast enough and said this spring that he felt comfortable with his knowledge of Nebraska’s defensive scheme. Read more here.
No. 39 Blaise Gunnerson
Blaise Gunnerson likely begins this season as a backup pass rusher, but he could earn more opportunities depending on the formations Nebraska deploys. Read more here.
No. 38 Ethan Piper
Center or right tackle? Ethan Piper faces stiff competition no matter what position he wants this fall. Read more here.
No. 37 Thomas Fidone
Thomas Fidone could be Nebraska’s top receiving tight end this season ... if he’s healthy. He’ll be a dangerous weapon if the Huskers are allowed to use him. Read more here.
No. 36 Timmy Bleekrode
Timmy Bleekrode made 84% of his kicks at Furman which would be a welcome improvement for the Huskers. But he’ll kick with bigger stakes in front of louder crowds at Nebraska. Read more here.
No. 34 Alante Brown
Nebraska has long liked Alante Brown's versatility and has used him primarily on special teams in Lincoln. Maybe more field time at receiver is his next step. Read more here.
No. 33 Chris Kolarevic
Inside linebacker or nickel? Chris Kolarevic will be a rotational regular on Nebraska's defense. The question is where. Read more here.
No. 32 Nash Hutmacher
Physical ability isn’t in doubt for Nash Hutmacher, already one of the team’s best weightlifters and a former nationally ranked prep wrestler. If the football technique follows, so will production for a high-ceiling prospect. Read more here.
No. 31 Jaquez Yant
This season, Jaquez Yant will have to earn his chances at a crowded position — running back. His edge? His size. Read more here.
No. 28 Brian Buschini
Brian Buschini will be a major upgrade for the Huskers if he can put Nebraska even in the same neighborhood as many of the Big Ten’s elite punters. Read more here.
No. 27 Braxton Clark
Braxton Clark has long bided his time as a reserve across most of his 28 career games and will push for extended action in his fifth college season. Read more here.
No. 26 Broc Bando
Broc Bando has played the long game at Nebraska, appearing in 29 career contests as reserve. His reward is a likely starting job at right guard. Read more here.
No. 25 Rahmir Johnson
Rahmir Johnson may possess the best straight-line speed of any Nebraska rusher and is the most versatile as a pass catcher. Read more here.
No. 24 Isaac Gifford
It has been a steady rise for Isaac Gifford, who owned a role on special teams the past two years while making 11 tackles. Read more here.
No. 23 Chubba Purdy
Is Chubba Purdy Nebraska's No. 2 quarterback? An impressive spring game reminded that the Huskers have quality depth at the position this season. Read more here.
No. 22 Marques Buford
Chances are good Marques Buford will be a downfield fixture for multiple seasons to come. As future stock goes, his is among Nebraska's brightest. Read more here.
No. 21Trent Hixson
Trent Hixson is the Huskers' odds-on favorite at center, tasked with replacing a longtime starter and NFL draft pick. Read more here.
No. 20 Bryce Benhart
Bryce Benhart has had his struggles in 2021, but he has the requisite size and experience to start once again at right tackle. Read more here.
No. 19 Oliver Martin
Oliver Martin appears to have a position coach in Mickey Joseph who believes in him and knows which buttons to push with a player who’s never quite found a home. Read more here.
No. 18 Nouredin Nouili
While the NCAA suspended Nouredin Nouili for the 2022 season for a failed drug test, he still will continue to practice with the team, and he’s a popular, well-liked teammate who can help behind the scenes. Read more here.
No. 17 Tommi Hill
Nebraska would love to see Tommi Hill follow a similar trajectory to Cam Taylor-Britt who, as a sophomore, began to come into his own as a cornerback. Read more here.
No. 16 Myles Farmer
After logging 30 tackles and an interception last season as a part-time starter, Myles Farmer is the odds-on favorite to be a leader in NU’s secondary. Read more here.
No. 15 Devin Drew
Drew was better against the run than the pass — Tech’s style of defense made it hard for any Red Raider lineman to reach the quarterback — but Drew could be a good cog in a defensive line rotation. Read more here.
No. 14 Travis Vokolek
Travis Vokolek will get a chance to surpass his best season as a pass-catcher — which happened at Rutgers in 2018 — with a sixth year of eligibility. Read more here.
No. 13 Caleb Tannor
Setting aside two personal fouls that helped cost Nebraska a game at Illinois, Tannor had a strong 2021 season. He’ll be able to log fewer snaps this season because of Ochaun Mathis, and that’s a good thing. He will stay fresher that way. Read more here.
No. 12 Ty Robinson
Ty Robinson may be a better interior rusher than Ben Stille and Damion Daniels. How will he hold up against the run in 2022? Read more here.
No. 11 Omar Manning
Omar Manning's frame makes him an ideal player for Nebraska in the red zone, and he’s decent after the catch, too. But, whatever happened in spring camp, he didn’t appear to be one of the guys new coach Mickey Joseph praised too much. Is that motivation — or a reflection of where Manning is on the depth chart? Read more here.
No. 10 Anthony Grant
Nebraska needed a true home-run hitter at running back, and Anthony Grant, who averaged 7.1 yards per carry over two seasons at the New Mexico Military Institute, fits that bill. Read more here.
No. 9 Nick Henrich
Nick Henrich comprises one of the Big Ten's inside linebacker duos with Luke Reimer. Their frames are different, but they both possess sharp instincts to diagnose plays. Read more here.
No. 8 Turner Corcoran
When your head coach suggests you could play all five spots on the offensive line, you’re officially versatile. That’s Turner Corcoran. Read more here.
No. 7 Quinton Newsome
Quinton Newsome was left off the Thorpe Award watch list despite 57 tackles and four pass breakups in 2021. The snub will motivate him. Read more here.
No. 6 Teddy Prochazka
Teddy Prochazka is the rare 6-10 player who has the athleticism of a shorter guy, he was smart enough to pick up the offense as a true freshman, and he plays a premium position. Read more here.
No. 5 Garrett Nelson
Garrett Nelson has taken over as the leader of Nebraska’s defense, and his vocal approach to that role may be the most important thing he does for the Huskers in 2022. Read more here.
No. 4 Luke Reimer
Luke Reimer is Nebraska’s best blitzer from depth. He might be the Huskers' fastest on-field defender and clearly one of its most fearless. Read more here.
No. 3 Trey Palmer
Trey Palmer has all the tools — height, length, elite speed, fluidity of movement — to be as good, and perhaps better than any Husker receiver has been under Scott Frost, including Stanley Morgan. Read more here.
No. 2 Casey Thompson
Sharp as a tack, organized to the max, Casey Thompson is the clear favorite to be Nebraska’s starting quarterback. Barring injury or something unforeseen, he will be the guy taking the first snaps in Ireland. Read more here.
No. 1 Ochaun Mathis
Ochaun Mathis lands atop the list for two reasons. First, he was really good in a Big 12 where it’s hard for defenders to be really good. Second, he is the face of Nebraska’s transfer portal plan. Read more here.
