Nebraska receiver Billy Kemp is 'attacking' changes ahead of final season

The Virginia transfer shrugged off his formidable circumstances following Nebraska’s third practice. Different coaching staff, teammates, scheme and part of the country? The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder is attacking it like everything else in life.

“It’s nothing too new,” Kemp said. “Just learning a new offense with the coaches and just learning everything.”

Ultimately, Kemp said, football is football. He has vast experience to draw upon from 192 career catches and 1,774 receiving yards across 50 games (25 starts). Like at Virginia he’s also working among the punt returners with fellow Huskers like Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, Tommi Hill and Elliott Brown.

“I feel like I’m an explosive player who catches everything,” Kemp said. “So I’d like to add that to the offense.”

Kemp said all the quarterbacks are “looking good” in workouts. He named Baylor transfer Joshua Fleeks and Marcus Washington among leaders at receiver who are helping others soak up the offense.

Through three practices, Kemp said he’s also been impressed with how position coach Garret McGuire brings excitement to every drill. Everyone wants to get better.

“We use hard work as a connector,” Kemp said. “Doing hard things and failing at them ultimately builds confidence. Just doing that and attacking every drill we have has been something I’ve enjoyed attacking with my teammates so far.”

Kemp received a sixth year of eligibility last December when the NCAA announced it would grant an additional season to Virginia seniors in the wake of a shooting that claimed the lives of three Cavaliers players. An ankle injury last fall limited Kemp to 16 catches for 116 yards in seven games.​