PARKER GABRIEL
Lincoln Journal Star
Turner Corcoran heard his coach earlier this spring when he talked about freshman mistakes.
More to the point, he felt it with his play on the practice field.
Offensive line coach Greg Austin mentioned Corcoran’s tussle with a steep learning curve in a chat with reporters last month, so you can safely bet the topic came up in the film room or one-on-one with Corcoran, too.
“It was a little shaky starting out, there were things like 'Coach G' was saying in a previous interview where I’m making freshman mistakes — and I did make some mistakes — but it was a really good spring for me to finish strong,†Corcoran said after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
It’s not like freshman mistakes are the end of the world, especially during spring ball. Corcoran, after all, has been on campus just more than a year and is going through spring ball for the first time.
So midway through the 15-practice schedule when Austin was asked about his left tackle, his response was not critical, but also not exactly glowing.
"Yeah, he’s got some things to work on. He’s a young guy and his youth is showing up from time to time, and rightfully so," Austin said on April 21. "But he’s been good, a solid player."
Corcoran knew it, too. He spent the 2020 season learning from Brenden Jaimes until Jaimes opted out for the last game of the season to get a jump on his NFL Draft preparations . That thrust the Lawrence, Kansas, native and former four-star prospect into the lineup for his first career start on Dec. 18’s season finale at Rutgers. He played well overall — Nebraska finished with 620 total yards (365 rushing) and possessed the ball for 39 minutes, 31 seconds — impressing just about everybody who watched.
"I saw a lot of myself in him. I was in a pretty similar situation at that age," Jaimes said in March. "Made some young guy mistakes, that was to be expected. But also made some veteran moves, which is very promising to see. The biggest thing for him is to just be consistent throughout his career, and if he can do that, he’s going to be a really good player."
Added Corcoran, "Coach Hunter (Miller) actually said before the game started, 'It’s just another Friday night in Lawrence, Kansas.’ And it was a 7 p.m. game and it was a Friday night, so it really did feel like a Friday night in Lawrence, Kansas, because I was just out there playing football. Didn’t have to take in the crowd factor and everything.
"It’s actually been a pretty good transition because last year I would prep as if 'Jaimey' were to go down, I would be that guy that would have to go in and be that left tackle."
Now he very much is the left tackle. Nouredin Nouili has impressed with his ability to play on the outside this spring, but there’s not a hot competition like Matt Sichterman and Brant Banks have going for the right guard job.
Instead, Corcoran is poised to be the anchor on the left side of the line for as long as he’s at Nebraska.
This spring, he feels as though he took a considerable step forward.
"As it’s come along, I’ve found the game I want to play, the style I want to play and it’s just gone along well for me," he said.
How does a young player find that sort of comfort level so quickly?
"I’m not sure. It was just one practice where it just all clicked," he said. "I felt better where I was using my hands on my pass-blocking and run-blocking and stuff like that.
"Throughout the whole spring, I was doing a lot better and just kept getting better."
Photos: All of the sights from the return of the Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) attracts a quartet of defenders in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws under pressure in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Two people wait for tickets before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Fans walk around Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Aimire Rodgers, 8, stands in front of the Legacy Statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Kash Boggs (right) throws to his grandparents as Drew Milligan climbs on to the Legacy Statue for a picture before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Victor Ortiz (left) helps Kim Bergmark find her tickets on her phone before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Tristan Minderman, Omaha, throws the ball on the east side of the Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Caden Haar (left) and Ryan Whiston, both of Lincoln, pose at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Xander Wilson, of Lincoln, poses at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run on to the field to a sea of fans for the first time in the COVID-19 era before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) runs in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Red Team's Omar Manning (right) is defended by White Team's Phalen Sanford (37) in the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Red Team's Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles during the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Omar Manning (right) anticipates a pass from Adrian Martinez as he's defended by the White Team's Isaiah Harris (37)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost walks behind the Red Team during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The White Team's Wyatt Liewer (85) catches a first-down pass in front of the Red Team's Mason Nieman to set up a game-tying touchdown by Liewer moments later on Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) signals for one more play as time runs out in the fourth quarter Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska football fans are scattered throughout the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers scrimmage in the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers hosts a team scrimmage during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Red Team's Samori Toure (6) is tackled by the White Team's Noa Pola-Gates during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (second left) gets sacked by the White Team's Jake Archer in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Red Team's Ty Hahn catches a pass in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Red Team's Darius Moore (left) intercepts a pass intended for the White Team's Will Nixon in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Red Team kicker Chase Contreraz (right) kicks an extra point in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Red Team's Brody Belt rushes for a fourth-quarter touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Red Team's Zach Weinmaster (31) tries to avoid the tackle of the White Team's John Bullock (84) in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run onto the field before the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks down after the White Team intercepts the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Red Team's Cameron Jurgens (left) and Riley Moses get into position during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost (left) speaks to quarterback Adrian Martinez before the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
The Red Team's Marvin Scott (left) runs the ball as the White Team's Isaac Gifford goes in for the tackle during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Former Nebraska assistant coach and player Ryan Held was announced Tuesday as the new head football coach at UNK.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Fans chant "Go Big Red" moments before the players take the field at the Red-White Spring Game in 2021 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
A Nebraska fan celebrates with others after catching a hot dog fired from a cannon during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Red Team's Gabe Ervin narrowly avoids being tackled by the White's John Bullock in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Red Team's Tyson Guzman (left) is pushed back by the White Team's Trevin Luben in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska graduate assistant Hunter Miller looks up at the scoreboard in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
In what turned out to be his final Red-White Spring Game, Adrian Martinez scrambles around looking for an open receiver in the first quarter on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) scrambles away from David Alston as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Red Team's Gabe Ervin (left) protects the ball as he rushes against Damian Jackson (38) in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Red Team's Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
The Nebraska student section stands for the national anthem during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Nebraska student section cheers as the Huskers make their way onto the field for the Tunnel Walk before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska senior wide receiver Samori Toure (6) hasn't played in a college football game since Dec. 13, 2019, when he was still at the University of Montana. That drought finally ends Saturday when NU kicks off against Illinois.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Red Team's Travis Vokolek (83) fends off the tackle of Jackson Hannah in the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) runs the ball as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco watches the Red Team warm up before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska director of high school relations Kenny Wilhite pulls up his mask before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) smiles at offensive line coach Greg Austin after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (bottom center) runs the ball while pursued by the White Team's Zach Schlager (right)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A referee watches the action during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (far left) is sacked by the White Team's Jake Archer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Red Team's Beau Psencik (center) is tackled by the White Team's John Bullock (top) and Lane McCallum in the second half during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin protects the ball as he's confronted by the White Team's Braxton Clark during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Red Team starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (right) speaks with wide receiver Omar Manning as they walk off the field at the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
The Red Team's Marvin Scott III (second right) is swallowed up by White Team defenders Jackson Hannah (first right) and Isaac Gifford (right) as teammate Austin Allen (left) looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (center) jumps in an attempt to avoid a tackle from the Red Team's Ashton Hausmann (29)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Young Husker fans bide their time while waiting for the Nebraska football team to begin play during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (center left) and Heinrich Haarberg (center right) walk along the sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is tagged down by the White Team's Blaise Gunnerson (24) and pursued by Jimari Butler (17) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Red Team's Gabe Ervin (center) is pushed by teammates as he attempts to carry the ball for a few extra yards during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (center), playing for the Red Team, tries to elude by the White Team's Braxton Clark (left) and Myles Farmer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska fans watch football from Memorial Stadium seats for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Adrian Martinez (2) throws a pass as Huskers' head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Gabe Heins (right) attempts a field goal in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Matt Masker (18) throws the ball as Huskers' head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Adrian Martinez (2) looks for an open receiver as Huskers' head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Offensive linemen Keegan Manning (71) and Noah Stafursky (62) take on Jamin Graham (89)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Gabe Ervin Jr. (bottom) gets tackled in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin (22)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Adrian Martinez (2) takes off on a run during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
John Bullock (right) attempts to strip the ball from Oliver Martin during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches the action on the field during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Isaiah Harris (37) runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (left) and Tony Tuioti watch the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Travis Fisher talks to cornerback Braxton Clark (11)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
John Goodwin (46) defends Blaise Gunnerson (24)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (right) talks to linebacker Blaise Gunnerson (24)Â during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, May 1 at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nash Hutmacher (72) pursues Logan Smothers (8) during the 2021 Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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