Steven M. Sipple and Parker Gabriel react to post-practice availability following practice on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
Nebraska tight ends coach Sean Beckton wore the look of someone who was thinking, "Hey, glad you asked."Â
Husker fans naturally wonder about true freshman tight end Thomas Fidone's progress as the team moves into the very late stages of spring practice. After all, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Fidone was the nation's top tight end recruit in the class of 2021 by both Rivals and 247Sports.Â
So, how has he looked to this point?
"Just today was the best practice he's had since he's been here," Beckton told reporters Wednesday following the team's extensive scrimmage. "It's been a step-by-step process with him. We've given him a lot of information and he's done an unbelievable job."Â
A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Fidone had about four or five receptions during the scrimmage, the coach said.Â
"I've told him that I'm going to press him on every single detail when he's in — same thing with (Norris graduate) James Carnie," Beckton said. "But Fidone has really, really improved since day one. He's only going to get better from here. The sky's the limit for him." Â
Beckton isn't surprised by Fidone's progress.Â
Nebraska tight ends coach Sean Beckton speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
"He wanted to step out there on day one and be the best tight end on the team," the coach said. "I had to humble him early on. That's not going to happen. We've got to stack practices. We've got to stack reps on top of each other in order for him to be great. He's definitely moving in that direction."
Beckton said Fidone, a top-40 national recruit overall, is starting to understand the necessary techniques and how to practice on the college level. Fidone is a physical player, Beckton said, but he had to work on footwork and hand placement and those sorts of important details.Â
"This was his best day, by far," Beckton said. "So I'm really, really proud of him. We just have to continue to press him. He's going to help this football team this year."Â
The coach added, "I walked with him coming off the field and told him how proud I was of him."Â
Photos: What a Husker football practice (with fans!) looks like
Fans returned to Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2019 for a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost (top center) watches the action during an April 17 practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning dashes to the end zone after a reception Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (second left in back) and running backs coach Ryan Held (back center) watch Husker quarterback Logan Smothers (8) in action during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Matt Masker (18) takes a keeper Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Jamie Nance catches a pass April 17 during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Jablonski catches a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Injured Nebraska running back Markese Stepp watches the action during a football practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Jamie Nance (left) catches a pass under pressure from Quinton Newsome during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning catches a pass during a football practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure catches a pass during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (23) defends against Barron Miles Jr. on Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning catches a pass April 17 during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning (5) catches a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Oliver Martin (left) catches a pass while being pursued by cornerback Quinton Newsome during a practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Fans sport Husker gear during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Husker assistant coach Greg Austin blows his whistle while directing players through drills during a practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) runs the ball during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant recently earned a scholarship after a strong spring performance that saw him put himself in position to be part of the Huskers' backfield this fall.Â
Journal Star file photo
Inside linebacker Luke Reimer (left) attempts to bring down running back Cooper Jewett during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska running back Cooper Jewett completes a play during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson directs players through a drill during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson directs players through a drill during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant Greg Austin coaches players during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Fans take in the action during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterbacks Adrian Martinez (2) and Matt Masker (18) greet freshman running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) on the sidelines during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Freshman running back Sevion Morrison is seen on the sidelines during a Nebraska football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Heinrich Haarberg (from left), Logan Smothers, and Matt Maske wait for instruction during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska football players take part in a drill during a practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A young fan watches the action during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska tight ends coach Sean Beckton helps with drills during an April 17 practice at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska running back Trevin Luben runs with the ball Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) runs the ball against Garrett Nelson (44) on Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Trevin Luben (35) runs with the ball against safety Noa Pola-Gates (21) on Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin directs player during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin (right) and Husker center Cam Jurgens (51) take in the action during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone eyes an incoming pass during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (from left), Matt Masker, Adrian Martinez and Heinrich Haarberg gather together Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick instructs his players Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick instructs his players Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure catches a pass Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
The Husker defense huddles on the field during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (top) watches as quarterbacks Logan Smothers (front left) and Heinrich Haarberg run through a drill during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Wide receiver Omar Manning catches a pass during a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick (top) gives instructions during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (from left), Adrian Martinez, Matt Masker, and Heinrich Haarberg wait for directions during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Members of the media cover a Nebraska football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg looks to throw down the field during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Matt Masker (18) speaks with head coach Scott Frost during a football practice on April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receivers Jamie Nance (left) and Omar Manning (5) look on after a play during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbackS Heinrich Haarberg (right) and Matt Masker look on during a practice on April 17, 2021, at Memorial Stadium
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass under the watchful eyes of Heinrich Haarberg (left) and Adrian Martinez during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (right) throws a pass as teammate Matt Masker looks on during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Brant Banks looks on during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska sixth-year senior Trent Hixson (left) may end up replacing Cam Jurgens at center in 2022 after coach Scott Frost said the veteran took a "giant leap" this spring.Â
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Jablonski catches a pass in the end zone during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Austin Jablonski catches a pass in the end zone during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning reaches for a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A young fan cheers on the Huskers during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (left) attempts to pull in a pass while defended by safety Deontai Williams during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Fans returned to Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2019 for a Husker football practice Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska redshirt freshman John Goodwin stops for a water break during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka watches drills during a football practice on Saturday, April 17 at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Ethan Piper (57) smiles at a teammate's comment Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin (top right) works with his players Saturday during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive linemen Cam Jurgens (top) and Turner Corcoran participate in blocking drills during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska assistant coach Greg Austin (bottom left) watches warmups during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive linemen Jimmy Fritzsche (left) and Riley Moses work on blocking during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Nebraska offensive linemen Turner Corcoran (69) and Ethan Piper (57) slap hands during warmups during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (8) and Adrian Martinez walk across the field during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held hands off to Marvin Scott during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska offensive linemen Turner Corcoran (top) and Jimmy Fritzsche participate in blocking drills during a football practice at Memorial Stadium on April 17.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska secondary coach Travis Fisher smiles between plays during a practice last season at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Safety Javin Wright smiles after being juked by teammate Will Nixon (not pictured)Â during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Safety Noa Pola-Gates gets into position for a drill during a football practice Saturday, April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Starr file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (left) and Adrian Martinez speak between drills during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Marvin Scott III loses his grip on a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Sophomore running back Markese Stepp sits on the sideline during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska football coach Scott Frost directs his players through a drill during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Husker players move to drill stations during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Defensive line coach Tony Tuioti (left) gives instruction to players during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska safety Javin Wright (left) intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Samori Toure during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) talks with Marcus Castro-Walker, the Huskers' former director of player development, on April 17, 2021 during a football practice at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight ends coach Sean Beckton directs his players during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone catches a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone catches a pass during a football practice Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure catches a pass during a football practice April 17 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
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