Mike Riley kicked off spring practice by talking to the media about how the Nebraska football team will move forward with a new quarterback and a new defensive coordinator. First up on the agenda is the quarterback situation:

Mike Riley said Tanner Lee and Patrick O'Brien will get "even turns" at QB. Suggests he may flip a coin to see who gets first snap. — Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) March 1, 2017

Riley: Who will play QB in a game will be evaluated "over a long period of time." Coaches' job is to create opportunity. — Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) March 1, 2017

Riley: "Tanner Lee is a bonus for us because he’s been in games."



"Patrick is a young talent." — Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) March 1, 2017

Says Patrick was as productive as Tanner on Sunday scrimmages last season. #Huskers — Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) March 1, 2017

I know there’s been a lot of speculation about the quarterback situation, but I suspect that the lack of separation between Tanner Lee and Patrick O’Brien is an advantage for O’Brien. It sounds like we’ve got a quarterback controversy like we had in 2007 when it was Sam Keller and Joe Ganz. Nobody really believed Bill Callahan at the time when he said it was really close between the NFL prospect and the two-star...until after the season was over, and we realized that the NFL prospect really wasn’t one. Riley isn’t planning to make a choice for a long time; it might not even be until August.

Riley, on when he hopes to ID starting QB: "Probably later than sooner." He says main thing is to give each ample opportunities #huskers — Eric Olson (@ericolson64) March 1, 2017

So what will the offense be like in 2017?

Riley gives long answer on Nebraska's shift in offense. Identity runs, screen game, draw game, quick throws, help the QB, help the OL. — Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) March 1, 2017

Sad news for people that hope to see Nebraska air the ball out more with a more accurate passer in the lineup, though:

Riley wants his daughter to be able to see Nebraska running the ball and say "that's Nebraska!" — Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) March 1, 2017

And “Run the bleepin’ ball” guy rejoices.

In fact, Riley found something he really liked with Tommy Armstrong the last couple of years. So while Nebraska’s quarterbacks aren’t as proficient of runners as Tommy Armstrong and Taylor Martinez were, that part of the game plan isn’t completely disappearing either.

Riley says NU won't have as many QB-designated runs like it did with Tommy Armstrong. But staff won't forget what it learned with him. — Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) March 1, 2017

That’s probably where Zach Darlington fits in as a “Wildcat” quarterback. The quarterback run game has become a key staple in modern college offenses, and Riley is wise to keep it in his offense.

Mike Riley with no context: "You don't want to run bad plays." Football at its essence (don't worry, it was part of a larger answer). — Chris Basnett (@HuskerExtraCB) March 1, 2017

Just throwing that in there.

Turning to the defense, there were a lot of questions how Nebraska will slot their personnel into Bob Diaco’s 3-4 defense. Here’s where it sounds like Nebraska will begin spring practice:

Short Side DE: Carlos Davis, Peyton Newell

Nose Tackle: Mick Stoltenberg, Khalil Davis

Field Side DE: Freedom Akinmoladun, DaiShon Neal

Boundary OLB: Alex Davis, Sedrick King

Strongside ILB: Chris Weber, Pernell Jefferson, Avery Roberts

Weakside ILB: Dedrick Young, Mohammed Barry, Greg Simmons

Field OLB: Marcus Newby, Luke Gifford

Field Corner: Chris Jones, DiCaprio Bootle

Boundary Corner: Joshua Kalu/Lamar Jackson, Boaz Joseph

Free Safety: Aaron Williams, Kieron Williams, Tony Butler

Strong Safety: Antonio Reed, JoJo Domann, Marquel Dismuke

I assume that Kalu is probably going to see time as the nickel back in those situations. I can’t say that I’m surprised that Dedrick Young is an inside linebacker; he seemed to be better suited to play inside than on the outside, so this 3-4 would seem to play well to the strengths of Chris Weber and Young.

Mick Stoltenberg has been preparing for the transition to the nose tackle position, it seems.