Sep 12, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Tanner Lee (12) throws a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska Football Spring 2017: Five Players Who Must Step Up by Kraig Lundberg

The Nebraska football team finally took to the turf for the first time in a while. Even though they only wore helmets and shorts, there were glimpses of a very entertaining future.

Here’s the takeaway about Nebraska’s current quarterbacks:

Tanner Lee: Clearly is familiar with playing live college football, Can throw touch passes and darts. Good overall vision.

Patrick O’Brien: Seems to favor dart passes above all else. Checks down nicely, but currently puts a little too much on deep balls.

Tristan Gebbia: Has fantastic mechanics and should be an excellent quarterback in this system, but will need to get up to about 210 pounds during a redshirt year. Looks about 180-185.

Andrew Bunch: Very impressive for a walk-on. Should Lee and O’Brien go down, he strikes me as someone that could competently lead the offense.

Not much stood out about the running backs, but Devine Ozigbo seems to have slimmed down and gained some quickness. We’ll see if that theory sticks when he puts on pads.

Stanley Morgan and De’Mornay Pierson-El look like starters as of today with DPE looking like he has his freshman confidence back. Jaevon McQuitty has excellent size and should be fun to watch for the duration of spring.

Starting offensive line from left to right: Nick Gates, Jerald Foster, Michael Decker, Tanner Farmer and David Knevel. Matt Farniok, Boe Wilson and Bryan Brokop all saw quality time.

There are several coaches on this staff that are a treat to watch. You can’t go wrong with either Williams. We got our first taste of Donte today and he’s just as ardent as his wide receiver counterpart.

Bob Diaco is a coach all his own, though. He is very much a technician, a teacher and extremely passionate. Chris Jones was trotting at half speed before Diaco got up in his grill about lollygagging.

As practice went on and the offense and defense faced each other in the skeleton drills, it’s obvious that the defense loves Diaco and the 3-4.

While he is very in-your-face, he’s just as encouraging and wants his charges to feel his passion. It’s clear they do when their teammates make a big play.

Bob Elliot was a calming presence among Williams and Diaco, letting the young guns do their thing while coaching when necessary. The dynamic of this staff is unique and fun to watch interact when it’s time to put all of the pieces together.

Head coach Mike Riley was also a fan of the defensive coaches’ work. In fact, he wasn’t surprised to see the Diaco’s attitude.

“I think that his enthusiasm was a lot like the interview. That was not surprising to me. I’ve seen him also talk to the team since he’s been here,” he said after practice. “He has an enthusiasm in his teaching that is contageous and I know his resume, I knew what he’d accomplished, but the thing that was really exciting to me was the interview and how he, you know, basically talked football.”

Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, Jr. did not participate in practice as according to Riley he had an appendicitis and has been dealing with illness as a result since he got to campus.

Riley said that the coaches have seen his health improve and they’re hoping he can get some practice in following spring break.

The Big Red will take the practice field for the second time next week on Tuesday.