The 3-2-1: How many true freshmen will see action for Nebraska in 2024?

How many freshmen will see action for Nebraska in 2024?

In this week’s 3-2-1 column, we hit on that and more with three things we learned, two questions, and one prediction.

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THREE THINGS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK

1 – Nebraska freshman power rankings

How many true freshmen will see action for Nebraska in 2024? Here are HuskerOnline’s early freshmen power rankings:

2 – Nebraka continues to keep its options open at the second corner spot

The one undefined spot on Nebraska’s defense through 13 Fall Camp practices is the second corner spot opposite Tommi Hill . Nobody on the Husker staff has tipped their on this after the spring injury to Blye Hill.

We also learned this week that redshirt freshman cornerback Jeremiah Charles dinged his shoulder. That leaves Ceyar Wright , Marques Buford , Malcolm Hartzog , Dwight Bootle II and Amare Sanders as all possible options.

The staff continues to keep this conversation open. The early favorite seems to be Buford, with Issac Gifford , DeShon Singleton , and Hartzog all likely fit to take the three safety spots. The name of the game is to get the best five on the field, and it’s hard not to put Buford in that position.

3 – Nebraska finds itself in a potentially good position with Michael Terry III

Nebraska received some good news this week. Five-star athlete Michael Terry III told HuskerOnline that he plans to extend his recruitment into the season. That means Terry could visit the Huskers again in September before making an announcement.

This is the best-case possible scenario. Nebraska needs more to sell Terry on if they are going to have a chance against teams like Texas and Oregon.

Getting Terry on campus for one of the early season games gives NU an excellent opportunity to showcase what this offense will look like moving forward and how it might utilize Terry.

TWO QUESTIONS THIS WEEK

1 – Does Matt Rhule even need to make a big deal about naming Dylan Raiola his starting quarterback?

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has yet to name a starting quarterback in 2024, but at this point, does he even need to? Sure, he will at some point, but it appears that Raiola will be the guy today.

I don’t think much needs to be said. I could see Rhule casually saying, “At quarterback, we are going with Dylan,” turning the page and moving on. That’s all that needs to be said.

It will be interesting to see if that type of announcement comes before the depth chart is released or if he waits until game week.

2 – Who else will earn a single-digit jersey in 2024?

Nebraska will still have five single-digit jerseys in 2024, assuming all five that currently have one keep theirs.

Who is your best guess on the next five to earn one? Today, I’ll say Rahmir Johnson , Jahmal Banks , Thomas Fidone , Jimari Butler , and Tommi Hill . You could also make an excellent case for Gabe Ervin Jr. , MJ Sherman , Javin Wright and Marques Buford .

There are quite a few worthy candidates on the roster right now, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops in the coming days.

ONE PREDICTION: Jacory Barney will have a special teams touchdown this season

I will make this call right now. Barney will give Nebraka its best threat in the return game since, arguably, De’Mornay Pierson-El and Kenny Bell.

I predict Barney will have at least one special teams touchdown in 2024 through the return game.

Sean Callahan can be reached at sean@huskeronline.com and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm .

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