With spring ball in the rearview mirror, Nebraska rolls into the summer having answered some questions over the course of its 15 spring practices and with some still remaining.
The Journal Star is looking at each position to recap what's been learned, what hasn't and who stood out this spring.
Today, we turn our attention to the Husker inside linebackers.
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Today: Inside linebacker
Thursday: Cornerbacks
Friday: Safeties
Saturday: Defensive depth chart projection
What we learned
Northern Iowa graduate transfer Chris Kolarevic is going to be a key piece of the puzzle. He started out by finishing as one of NU’s top performers in the index and strength testing, then seemed to fit right in with the top group in the middle of the defense. Now he’ll be even more important with sixth-year senior Will Honas down indefinitely (and perhaps for the entire season) with a knee injury suffered at the end of spring ball.
What we didn’t
Similar to the outside backers, it’s still unclear just how far down the list Barrett Ruud will be comfortable going on gamedays. That list is one player shorter without Honas in the mix, which would seem to slide Garrett Snodgrass up into the No. 4 spot. After him, the best candidates are Jackson Hannah, Eteva Mauga-Clements or perhaps a walk-on.
Standout player
Could give the nod to Kolarevic again here, and with only a “thud†half of the spring game for the top group, there really is very little live work on which to base a choice this spring from the outside. In a midspring conversation with reporters, Reimer said he felt comfortable and faster and primed to build on a breakout 2020 in which he finished fifth on the team in tackles despite missing two games.
Stock-risers
Less of a stock status, but freshmen Randolph Kpai and Seth Malcom each have really nice length for the position. Both, though, will need to fill out considerably over their careers, which NU knew when it signed the pair. Still, intriguing young players on the defensive side.
Summer to-do list
A reliable fourth to replace Honas would be ideal, considering Reimer, Kolarevic and Nick Henrich are a good top trio but also that all three have dealt with injuries in their careers. It’s not impossible that NU might consider a ready-made transfer if one presents himself, but mostly it’ll be about the top three growing together and who might jump up into that mix along with them.
— Parker Gabriel
A look at the 2021 Nebraska football schedule
Week 0: at Illinois
When: Aug. 28, NoonÂ
Where: Champaign, Ill.
Illinois in 2020: 2-6
Last time the Huskers and Illini played: Illinois 41, Nebraska 23 (2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 11-4
Week 1: vs. Fordham
When: Sept. 4, 11 a.m.Â
Where: Memorial Stadium
Fordham in 2020: 2-1 (shortened by COVID-19)
Last time the Huskers and Rams met: No previous matchups
Week 2: vs. Buffalo
When: Sept. 11, 2:30 p.m.Â
Where: Memorial Stadium
Buffalo in 2020: 6-1 (5-0 in MAC)
Last time the Huskers and Bulls met: No previous matchups
Week 3: at Oklahoma
When: Sept. 18, 11 a.m.Â
Where: Norman, Oklahoma
Oklahoma in 2020: 9-2 (6-2 Big 12)
Last time Huskers and Sooners played: Oklahoma 23, Nebraska 20 (Dec. 5, 2010, Big 12 Championship)
All-time series: Oklahoma, 45-38-3
Week 4: at Michigan State
When: Sept. 25
Where: East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan State in 2020: 2-5
The last time the Huskers and Spartans played: Nebraska 9, Michigan State 6 (Nov. 17, 2018)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 9-2
Week 5: Northwestern
When: Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m.Â
Where: Memorial Stadium
Northwestern in 2020: 7-2, Big Ten runner-up
The last time the Huskers and Wildcats met: Northwestern 21, Nebraska 13 (Nov. 7, 2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 8-6
Week 6: Michigan
When: Oct. 9Â
Where: Memorial Stadium
Michigan in 2020: 2-4
The last time the Huskers and Wolverines played: Michigan 56, Nebraska 10 (Sept. 22, 2018)
All-time series: Michigan leads, 5-4
Week 7: at Minnesota
When: Oct. 16Â
Where: Minneapolis
Minnesota in 2020: 3-4Ìý
The last time the Huskers and Gophers played: Minnesota 24, Nebraska 17 (Dec. 12, 2020)
All-time series: Minnesota, 34-25-2
Week 9; Purdue
When: Oct. 30Â
Where: Memorial Stadium
Purdue in 2020: 2-4
The last time the Huskers and Boilermakers met: Nebraska 37, Purdue 27 (Dec. 5, 2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 5-4
Week 10: Ohio State
When: Nov. 6Â
Where: Memorial Stadium
Ohio State in 2020: 7-1 (national runner-up)
The last time the Huskers and Buckeyes met: Ohio State 52, Nebraska 17 (Oct. 24, 2020)
All-time series: Ohio State leads, 8-1
Week 12: at Wisconsin
When: Nov. 20Â
Where: Madison, WisconsinÂ
Wisconsin in 2020: 4-3
The last time the Huskers and Badgers met: Wisconsin 37, Nebraska 21 (Nov. 16, 2019)
All-time series: Wisconsin leads, 10-4
Week 13: Iowa
When: Nov. 26, 12:30 p.m.Â
Where: Memorial Stadium
Iowa in 2020: 6-2
The last time the Huskers and Hawkeyes met: Iowa 26, Nebraska 20 (Nov. 27, 2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 29-19-3
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
In this Series
Spring post-op: Catch up on our position-by-position look at where the Huskers stand after spring
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Updated
Spring post-op: Martinez is QB1, but NU quarterback room has some work to do this summer
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Updated
Spring post-op: Taking a comprehensive look at the Husker safeties, led by Dismuke, Williams
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Updated
Spring post-op: The leader for the other starting CB spot, the stock-riser and summer to-do list
- 6 updates