The Nebraska Cornhuskers are leaving no stone unturned in the development of sophomore running back Kwinten Ives, with a significant emphasis placed on the often-understated aspect of nutrition. Since arriving in Lincoln, Ives has impressively added 32 pounds to his frame, a meticulous gain tracked daily by his coaches.
«We do a great job in our nutrition program. But Coach Rhule, we’re hands-on on and off the field,» stated Husker running backs coach E.J. Barthel last week, highlighting the comprehensive approach. «I know exactly how much he weighs every single day. If you come in two pounds light, if you come in three pounds light… Every single day I’ll get an email exactly how much he weighs.»
The program’s dedication to nutrition is spearheaded by Kristin Coggin, Nebraska’s assistant athletic director for performance nutrition, a key hire by head coach Matt Rhule. Coggin develops individualized plans for each Husker, ensuring they are fueling their bodies optimally for peak performance.
While Ives has seen limited action on the field thus far, the anticipation is that his dedicated off-field work in building his physique correctly will translate to significant contributions in the upcoming 2025 season. Coach Barthel remains a constant presence, ensuring Ives adheres to his nutrition and weight goals, even joining him for lunch to monitor his intake and reminding him about required protein shakes if his weight dips.
«To me he’s still a young guy so I’m not going to just let him, ‘Ah, I trust you to make the weight.’ We’re on top of him every single day. Literally down eating lunch with him, looking at his plate, seeing what he’s eating, all that stuff. That’s kind of our job.»
Last week, Ives reportedly hit the desired weight range of 208 to 218 pounds, a sweet spot that allows him to maintain his impressive speed. Barthel lauded Ives’ ability to run with the agility of a smaller back despite his added size, calling it the «uniqueness of the kid.»
Ives himself feels he is on a positive trajectory, crediting his time on the scout team against the Blackshirts for valuable development. He acknowledges the significant learning curve in understanding the commitment required to prepare his body for the demands of college football.
On the field, Ives is concentrating on his eye progression, reads, pad level, and physicality, with coaches constantly urging him to run with power. His confidence has grown since December, coinciding with increased repetitions. A highlight from last season was his single carry in the Pinstripe Bowl, which resulted in a touchdown, a moment his coach playfully emphasized beforehand.
Looking ahead, Ives appears to be positioning himself as the No. 2 back and a primary option in short-yardage situations. He also acknowledged the talent of fellow running backs Mekhi Nelson and Kenneth Williams.
The coaching staff’s decision not to pursue a portal running back to this point reflects their confidence in Ives’ potential. «I’m glad that they have the confidence in me to be able to step into that role … Since they’re trusting me I have to give them what they’re trusting me for,» Ives stated.
Ives’ athletic background extends beyond football. A standout basketball player in high school, he surpassed 1,000 career points, adding to his impressive football resume of over 3,000 rushing yards in his final two seasons. Interestingly, his high school coach initially envisioned him as a linebacker due to his impactful play on defense.
The detailed attention to nutrition, combined with on-field coaching and Ives’ dedication, paints a promising picture for his future contributions to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.