A look at where the tight end position stands with spring practice less than a month away.
o recruiting class is on campus and going through winter conditioning.
This seems like a perfect chance to take a look at each position now before things get rolling with spring ball.
BREEZY 2023 REVIEW
The tight end spot is key to Matt Rhule’s vision of having position-less football on the offensive side of the ball.
In 2023, the Huskers frequently used multiple tight ends to try to create mismatches and help in run blocking. Nebraska found Thomas Fidone in the passing game to the tune of 25 catches and four touchdowns, but for a variety of reasons that went beyond the tight ends, the intermediate passing game wasn’t a regular enough piece of the Husker offense.
There were off-the-field issues for the group to overcome as well. Full-time tight ends coach Bob Wager resigned in late July after a DUI arrest and the group was turned over to analyst Josh Martin, who served as interim coach for the group.
One bright spot for the tight end spot in 2023 was the play of Fidone, who had battled injuries throughout his Husker career, but was an important piece of the Husker offense in 2023, and will likely benefit from offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield overseeing the group in 2024.
CONTRIBUTORS LEAVING
Jake Appleget: The Lincoln Southeast product moved from linebacker to tight end following Rhule and his staff’s arrival in Lincoln. Appleget played in six games last season, and entered the transfer portal, committing to Northern Illinois.
PLAYERS ARRIVING
Ian Flynt: Flynt is already on campus in Lincoln for spring ball, and brings a different body profile to Nebraska’s tight end room. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Flynt caught six passes for 140 yards as a senior after returning from a back injury.
Carter Nelson: Nelson was one of the most intriguing pieces of the 2024 recruiting class and will enroll in May. Nelson finished his prep career with 128 catches for 2,346 yards and 43 receiving touchdowns and was selected to play in the All-American Bowl as one of the top recruits in the country. As a senior, Nelson caught 32 passes for 658 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging nearly 21 yards per catch. Nelson also rushed for 1,148 yards and 19 touchdowns on 120 carries and made 80 tackles with three interceptions on defense.
Eric Ingwerson: The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Ingwerson is beginning his career at tight end. Ingwerson was a valuable blocker for Papillion-LaVista, and caught four touchdown passes as a senior. On defense, Ingwerson made 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
Leave a Reply