April 25, 2007

Five players that still need to step up

Several different players on the Nebraska football team still need to step up their game another notch before the start of fall camp in August. HuskersIllustrated.com gave a breakdown of the five biggest players who need to step up their game from now until August.

1. Zach Potter, DE, 6-7, 280, Jr.

It's almost not fair to junior defensive end Zach Potter that everything he does over the next season will be compared to a future first round draft pick in Adam Carriker. Potter has the physical tools to step in for Carriker, but he has yet to get an opportunity to prove his skills in a game like situation. Potter needs to continue to get better and take advantage of all the reps he got this spring. No matter who steps in for Carriker it will be a drop off for NU…the question is how much of a drop off?

2. Mike McNeill, TE, 6-4, 225, RFr.

It's hard to say much about redshirt freshman tight end Mike McNeill, because nobody has seen him take a meaningful snap in a Nebraska uniform. McNeill is the only Callahan recruited tight end on the NU roster, and there's no question he needs to step in and become a contributor when he's healthy for fall camp. McNeill should bring a dimension to the tight end position they are currently missing. It will also be crucial to develop McNeill for the future-NU loses three of their four tight ends after this season.
