Marlon Lucky’s name has been on
the tips of tongues since even before he committed to the Huskers. As the name
became more familiar, his national ranking only rose.
Now, finally on campus, the
weight of the world seems on his shoulders, because the expectations match his
much vaunted national status out of high school.
For Cody Glenn, another very
capable running back in this class, that’s almost cemented at least some sort of
anonymity. However, Glenn has already made post-practice interviews with other
players as they talk about how he’s done. And coaches gush about his physicality
and the kind of potential he has.
In short, Glenn has taken
anonymity and turned it into irony, because what he’s done has been anything but
unnoticeable. “Cody is a big, physical back and he’s starting to learn how to
really work hard,”Quarterback coach Jay Norvell said of Glenn. “Cody has really
come on in camp and he’s really working hard, that’s the first thing.”
“He’s got a lot to learn, but
he’s finishing and he’s running hard and that’s what we like to see in a big kid
like that.”
While
Norvell was eager enough to dispense the credit for his individual wherewithal,
he passed credit along for Glenn’s progression and that of the other new backs,
Lucky and Leon Jackson, to the
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Glenn already making a name for
himself |
Nebraska
’s returning starter at the position
and nowadays, the mentor of this talented trio.
“ Cory Ross has been a great
example in camp for our young backs,” Norvell said. “He’s leaving a legacy with
those guys on how to practice and how to work.”
Glenn’s work ethic along with
that of his teammates comes amidst over 100 degree days if you count the heat
index. To talk to Glenn about the heat that to most seems almost scorching, he
grins a little, then reminds you were he’s from. “The heat is nothing, I’m from
Texas
,” Glenn
said laughingly. “I’m used to 112, so the heat doesn’t really bother me.”
Nothing much does for Glenn,
other than the same problem every player has, including those coming back from
last year. The now infamous playbook intimidates one and all.
Someone who’s had to not just
deal with it, but master it is the guy that like Lucky, has had the weight of
the world on his shoulders, but that was basically his own fault.
That’s what going 20-27 for 357
yards, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions will get you.
Expectations are high
From what his position coach
stated, though, Zac Taylor has been doing what he’s needed to do to maintain his
spot. “He’s been good,” Norvell said of
Taylor
. “He’s been up around 60
percent (In 7 on 7) and he just needs to keep zeroing in and incorporating these
new players in our system.”
Norvell went onto say that
Taylor
is
working with the first unit and taking many of the reps portioned out each day
to all of the quarterbacks on the 105-man roster.
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Taylor still playing like number
one |
Taylor
’s progression, as Norvell indicated has
had almost as much to do with the progression of many new faces at wideout.
Amongst those has been junior college transfer Frantz Hardy as well as his
continuing progression in familiarity with those coming back from the
spring.
Taylor did lose potentially one
of their biggest weapons yesterday, wide receiver Chris Brooks undergoing a knee
scope for a problem that Norvell had stated was “hopefully” minor, but wasn’t
specific as to exactly what the problem was.
His loss along adds to a growing
list of no-shows at the wideout position, junior college transfer Tyrell Spain
still not on campus, not having been cleared as of yet by the NCAA
Clearinghouse, and both Brodrick Hunter and Wallace Franklin are junior college
bound, failing to meet academic requirements to play.
While obviously disappointing in
not having them present to contribute and learn along with the rest, Norvell
stated that it’s business as usual for them. “We’d like to have those other guys
out here and when they are available, they will be, but we just have to keep on
working that group and they are working their tails off and making a lot of
progress right now.”
Nebraska
will get a day off today and resume
practice on Thursday afternoon, where it will be a mini-countdown of sorts to
two-a-days, which will start on Saturday and go every other day for a total of
four days.
Notes:
-
Tight End Matt Herian’s progress is said to be moving along
steadily, but coach Norvell couldn’t give anything specific as to a timeline for
his return. “He’s continuing to heal up and he’s continuing to work,” he said.
“We’re just hopeful that he’ll continue his progress. He’s as big and strong as
he’s ever been. His work has been phenomenal.”
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The team scrimmaged for approximately 25 snaps towards the end of
practice, working 2nd and 3rd down situations along with
scrimmaging in the red zone.
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Cornerback Bryan Wilson was amongst the team again and in full
pads, having missed yesterday’s session.
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Newcomers that will be available for interview on Thursday will be
quarterback Harrison Beck along with linebacker Phillip Dillard
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