PARKER GABRIEL
Lincoln Journal Star
Parker Gabriel and Steven M. Sipple break down the four most notable takeaways after hearing from the Nebraska football team.
Nebraska opened a few practice periods to reporters Wednesday morning. It's the fifth session of preseason football camp for the Huskers, who will put the pads on for the first time Thursday.Â
Here are some brief observations from the 25 minutes or so that were open to reporters.Â
* USC transfer running back Markese Stepp was in shoulder pads and went through every drill that Nebraska did during the open period. Of course, if Stepp is still on a "pitch count," as coach Scott Frost said last month, that would most likely show up when the team goes into live periods. Stepp, though, looked good running and cutting in shoulder pads.Â
NU has question marks at running back, but it's a physically impressive group led by Stepp, freshman Gabe Ervin and Jaquez Yant.Â
Could be nothing, but in quarterback/running back pitch drills, Ervin worked quite a bit with junior starter Adrian Martinez.Â
* One competitive scene from one-on-ones between receivers and defensive backs: senior Samori Toure hauling in a lunging grab toward the sideline despite tight coverage from Ohio State transfer Tyreke Johnson.Â
* Johnson also is a big, long prospect and it's easy to see why he was so coveted coming out of high school. The challenge, as defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said Monday, is to get the 6-foot-1, 185-pound corner comfortable with Nebraska's schemes. He's got strong competition, of course, including from freshman Tamon Lynum, who missed most of the spring but was working normally on Wednesday.Â
* A couple of other young players who catch your eye physically: the new wide receiver trio of Latrell Neville, Shawn Hardy and Kamonte Grimes. You can put junior walk-on transfer Chancellor Brewington in that camp, too.Â
Parker Gabriel and Steven M. Sipple talk Husker football in the latest Two-Minute Drill from Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska is going to be counting on a lot of players at that position who haven't produced a ton at the Big Ten level, but size certainly will not be an issue.
* NU mostly was stretching and going through individual drills through the open portions, but in practice No. 5, the Huskers look like a healthy football team.Â
Freshman inside linebacker Randolph Kpai had a sling on his right arm and was watching. As expected, freshman tight end Thomas Fidone was not taking part, either, though he was around and watching from a distance in street clothes.Â
A couple of other linebackers who appeared to be out on Wednesday: freshmen Mikai Gbyaor and Blaise Gunnerson.Â
* In one kickoff drill, freshman transfer Brendan Franke took the first rep. Also involved: freshman walk-on Kelen Meyer and senior Connor Culp.Â
* Tom Osborne watched from the sideline alongside associate athletic director for football Matt Davison.Â
* NFL scouts from the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers were in attendance and chatted with NU's NFL liaison Kenny Wilhite and head strength coach Zach Duval.Â
Perhaps not surprisingly, the scouts were gathered near the end of Nebraska's outdoor practice fields where the tight ends, led by juniors Austin Allen and Travis Vokolek, were going through individual drills.Â
Photos: Huskers hit the field Wednesday morning for practice No. 5
Nebraska wide receiver Latrell Neville (7) runs a route during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Sevion Morrison (red jersey) blocks Luke Reimer during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 4, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end James Carnie (81) eyes an incoming pass during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning (5) in action during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Shawn Hardy (80) defends Omar Manning (5) during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Kamonte Grimes (13) during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Chris Hickman (87) eyes an incoming pass during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning (5) runs a route during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (red jersey) blocks Eteva Mauga-Clements (22) during football practice on Aug. 4 at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Latrell Neville (7) runs during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Kamonte Grimes (13) during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Markese Stepp (red jersey) blocks Nick Henrich during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska players runs sprints during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Latrell Neville (7) during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) goes up against blocker Seth Malcom during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running backs Marvin Scott (bottom) and Sevion Morrison (28) in action during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) runs a drill during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Will Noxon (12) runs sprints during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska running back Sevion Morrison (28) prepares to run a drill as coach Scott Frost looks on during practice Aug. 4 at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning (5) runs sprints during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Outside linebacker Randolph Kpai (30) watches teammates run drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Safety Isaac Gifford (right) runs drills during football practice on Aug. 4 at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Outside linebacker Pheldarius Payne (0) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Ru'Quan Buckley (63) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Safety Isaac Gifford (23) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Deontre Thomas (97) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Ru'Quan Buckley (63) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Deontre Thomas (97) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Cornerback Tyreke Johnson (1) is shown during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Jailen Weaver (50) runs drills during football practice on Aug. 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Defensive lineman Ru'Quan Buckley (63) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Jailen Weaver (50) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive line coach Tony Tuioti encourages players during during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive players run drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Nebraska defensive line coach Tony Tuioti runs drills during football practice on Aug. 4 at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Defensive back Koby Bretz (26) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Inside linebacker Garrett Snodgrass (41) runs drills during football practice on Aug. 4 at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Inside linebacker Nick Henrich runs drills during football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Outside linebacker Pheldarius Payne (0) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive line coach Tony Tuioti leads drills during football practice on Aug. 4 at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Deontre Thomas (97) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Ru'Quan Buckley (63) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Safety Isaac Gifford will likely be in line for more playing time this weekend at Wisconsin.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Deontre Thomas (97) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive line coach Tony Tuioti watches the team warm up during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost briefly addressed Wednesday's report that indicated he was a "key proponent" in trying to back out of the Oklahoma game.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive lineman Deontre Thomas (97) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Cornerback Tyreke Johnson grabs a drink of water during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Defensive linemen Damion Daniels (93) and Deontre Thomas (97) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost watches his team run drills Aug. 4 at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Defensive lineman Ru'Quan Buckley (63) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Outside linebacker Pheldarius Payne (0) runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hawks Championship Center.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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