Hit refresh on this December quote from the Husker offensive coordinator: «We’re not turning this into an Air Raid, four-wideout program. That’s not going to happen. So these tight ends are important. There’s probably two or three other ones that got a whole bunch of reps over the last nine practices that excite me, that are all young and are going to keep getting better and better.»
And whether it’s the growing fondness the fan base had in during bowl game for Luke Lindenmeyer, or Heinrich Haarberg now being full time there, or Carter Nelson possibly shifting more into that role over time, or an injured Husker from 2024 not to be forgotten – it’s easy to supply four names here that don’t lack in intrigue to other position groups.
Heinrich Haarberg: Does this move to tight end offer Haarberg the best possible chance to play at the next level? Absolutely.
The initial review from his work in the Pinstripe Bowl playing tight end was solid. The former QB looked more than willing to lay the lumber on defenders.
And if you saw him in the dunk contest – geez, he’s popular with this fan base – he looked like a tight end now with his filled out frame. He’s always been a big boy but Haarberg has kept growing into his new role in a good way.
«He’s probably one of the best athletes I’ve had the opportunity to coach,» Husker head coach Matt Rhule said in December. «He’s big, he’s explosive, he’s athletic. He can catch the ball. He’s really smart. He can go out there and play tailback on one play, receiver on the next in terms of knowing what to do. With a play designer like Dana, guys who can run and catch, they can do it. I think he’s going to have a real, real chance there.»
Luke Lindenmeyer: Did any player in the offense see his stock elevate more than this guy after Holgorsen became the OC?
OK, maybe Emmett Johnson. But Lindenmeyer was definitely noted by Holgorsen right away upon arrival. Rhule commented multiple times about how he really seemed to be flourishing late in the year, and Holgorsen said this before the team left for New York: «Luke has been playing his ass off for the last nine days.»
He played 16 snap counts against USC in Holgorsen’s first game as OC. But check out these reps after that…