HuskerOnline’s projected Nebraska depth chart: Offense
We are now just over a week away from Nebraska’s 2023 season opener at Minnesota and the debut of the Matt Rhule era.
The Huskers will release their first official depth chart on Friday at the start of game week. Unlike previous coaching staffs, Rhule said it would actually be “a real one.”
Based on everything we’ve heard throughout the offseason, HuskerOnline has come up with our projected depth charts leading up to next week’s game in Minneapolis.
Today, we start with predicting Nebraska’s offense for Week 1…
Quarterback
1. Jeff Sims, Jr.
2. Chubba Purdy, So.
-OR-
Heinrich Haarberg, So.
HOL Take: Sims has been the clear starter since the end of spring ball, but the competition for the No. 2 job has gone on all offseason. Our take is that if Nebraska needed to go to another QB in a game after Sims, Purdy would get the nod. Haarberg could get opportunities in situational packages and maybe even at another position.
Running back
1. Gabe Ervin Jr., Jr.
2. Rahmir Johnson, Jr.
-OR-
Anthony Grant, Sr.
3. Emmett Johnson, RFr.
HOL Take: Rhule’s blunt criticism of Grant’s issues with ball security shored up the discussion about Nebraska’s starting running back. Grant will still play, and Rahmir Johnson will be the third-down back. But Ervin will be the clear No. 1 going into Minnesota.
Fullback
1. Janiran Bonner, RFr.
-OR-
Barret Liebentritt, So.
2. Braden Klover, So.
HOL Take: Liebentritt has emerged as Nebraska’s top traditional fullback, while Bonner could lineup as a fullback, tight end, receiver, or running back on any given play.
Wide receiver
SLOT
1. Billy Kemp IV, Sr.
2. Joshua Fleeks, Sr.
X
-OR-
Z
1. Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, Sr.
2. Ty Hahn, So.
Others to watch: Malachi Coleman, Fr.; Jaidyn Doss, Fr.; Jaylen Lloyd, Fr.
HOL Take: Kemp and Garcia-Castaneda are clear starters, but Washington’s status for Minnesota remains unknown as he recovers from injury. It’s too early to know how the true freshmen will factor into the rotation, but there’s a good chance Coleman, Doss, and Lloyd will play beyond their four-game redshirt windows.
The Weekly Rundown: Nebraska putting a close on fall camp to begin preparations for Minnesota
Tight end
1. Thomas Fidone, So.
2. Nate Boerkircher, So.
Others to watch: Arik Gilbert, So.; Jake Appleget, RFr.; Bonner
HOL Take: Given that Gilbert remains ineligible this season until (if?) the NCAA approves his waiver, we’re leaving him off the depth chart for now. We haven’t heard much about the tight end group after Fidone and Boerkircher, but Appleget could be the next man up with Gilbert out.
Offensive line
LT
1. Turner Corcoran, Jr.
2. Teddy Prochazka, So.
3. Gunnar Gottula, Fr.
LG
1. Ethan Piper, Jr.
2. Sam Sledge, Fr.
C
1. Ben Scott, Jr.
2. Justin Evans-Jenkins, RFr.
RG
1. Nouredin Nouili, Sr.
2. Henry Lutovsky, So.
RT
1. Bryce Benhart, Jr.
2. Tyler Knaak, RFr.
HOL Take: Corcoran remains the No. 1 left tackle, with Prochazka still working his way back from an injury. If NU rules out Prochazka for Minnesota, the true freshman Gottula would vault to the No. 2 LT. Sledge is another true freshman who we think has secured a spot in the two-deep at left guard.
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