A dozen Huskers on the mind for Saturday's Spring Game

Lloyd showed his home-run hitting ability last year.

But there's so much more out there for him and the receiver out of Omaha Westside knows it. More snaps are there to be claimed as he picks up more of the offense in his second season. It sure seems like he's had a really good spring from the rumblings heard — and a connection with Raiola to boot.

Pretty sure even one big strike from Raiola to Lloyd would give fans a bounce in their steps as they head down the stadium ramps after the game.

Vincent Shavers Jr.

The true freshman linebacker from Miami has impressed coaches and peers alike with how he's jumped right in. If you ask any veteran player about a young guy sticking out to them, Shavers comes up about every time and often first.

"He works hard," Matt Rhule said. "Everything from academics to community service to football, he puts his heart and soul into. He's a blessing to be around the building. The type of kid you want to coach."

He's also at a position where there's an opening for a young guy to boost depth and challenge the 2-deep right away.

Jacory Barney Jr.

Another freshman from that Miami area who has made some plays this spring. The wide receiver has the jets and background knowledge at many positions from high school, including quarterback, that might help him in being a quick study.

"I believe in Matt Rhule and McGuire so much ..." Barney told Husker247 in December. "We were in most of the games. We were like one play away from coming over the edge ... It's just like, 'Man, I probably would've made that play and been that difference maker.' I just take it as I can come in and help that."

Blye Hill

You knew this Husker staff really dug something about Hill to make him a transfer portal addition out of St. Francis (PA) in a position group that has quite a few bodies.

The son of a former NFL player has shown why this spring. Rhule said last week that while competition goes on if the season started now it'd probably be Hill and Hill at the cornerback spots: Tommi and Blye.

He's a good example of a late bloomer. Hill wasn't 100 pounds yet as a freshman in high school. He was 120 as a sophomore. He was about 140 as a junior when some colleges really start to give a closer look to the measurements. He was about 150 to 155 as a senior.

A couple years later he's giving himself a real shot to be the starting cornerback at Nebraska. "You can't have enough guys who are long and can move well," defensive backs coach Evan Cooper has said of Hill. "He's one of those guys."

Sam Sledge

Rhule mentioned the Omaha Creighton Prep grad as someone who has made a real jump as spring has gone along.

He could be a lead contender for the starting center job after Ben Scott's eligibility expires in 2024. Justin Evans, who is also a starting guard candidate, may be second in line at center for the moment if Nebraska was in a pinch. But Sledge is one of those guys who can bulk up the options this year and position himself to fight for a top spot by this time next year.

Riley Van Poppel

The defensive lineman has gained about 10 to 12 pounds from the 270 he played at as a freshman.

He got a confidence boost at Illinois last year when he made a big play on the goal-line stand. 

"I was a little small out there. It was a little rough sometimes, but I had to go out there and just fire off the ball as hard and as fast as I can," he said. "At times, it's a little intimidating, but you can't let that scare you. I had to go out there and trust myself and know I'm a good enough player to do it."

While there's still veterans in front of him, his role can definitely grow in 2024.

Dante Dowdell

There's some wood to chop for the newcomer who transferred from Oregon, as he tries to move himself up the rotation.

But Husker fans will notice in warmups on Saturday he's an impressive looking back in pads. There's growth to do and it's hard not to consider the three backs we know - Emmett Johnson, Rahmir Johnson and Gabe Ervin - the top crew until proven otherwise. But Dowdell, who had an eye-popping statistical high school career in Mississippi, remains a man of intrigue to see if he can keep pushing and work his way to the mix.

Plenty of backs besides him to watch, including Maurice Mazzccua, Kenneth Williams and Trevon Kinchen. Good chance for someone from these guys mentioned to get the people talking with a strong scrimmage.

Stefon Thompson

It's been said how the transfer from Syracuse had to do some catch-up work soon after arrival to Lincoln this January

But, yeah, fans are going to be pretty interested in checking out a player who with the Orange had 169 tackles, including 20 for losses, 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He didn't show up to Nebraska in the best shape but has gotten significantly better, according to the head coach in the middle of spring. "I brought him here to help him accelerate his pro career," Rhule said. "So we're going to push him. You can tell by me answering honestly, I'm pushing him."

Some guys also have that gamer quality. Put them in a stadium with people in the stands and they flip that switch to go make some plays. 

Grant Brix

In some recruiting cycles, just not the last one, he would've been the most acclaimed recruit in a Husker class.

Still, Brix joining the Big Red was a big deal and him being here as an early enrollee after weighing that decision is too. He's been working at tackle. Certainly there are other options behind Bryce Benhart and Teddy Prochazka who could be in front of him for now. Henry Lutovsky can move out to tackle if needed. Gunnar Gottula, another to watch, is having a good spring.

But Brix is an exciting future key cog to watch in a scrimmage like this one. Same for Gibson Pyle, another early enrollee.

"He's excited every day, I'll tell you that much," Benhart said of Brix. "He's eager to learn."

Dylan Rogers

Like Shavers, he's another that has come up from veterans as impressing.

The redshirt freshman had 230 tackles during his prep career in Cypress, Texas. Behind the curtain in 2023, he's someone who has the chance to factor in. There are vets like John Bullock, Javin Wright and Mikai Gbayor, but we know how many guys Tony White likes to play and there's nothing to say one or both of those freshmen mentioned can't budge their way in to help out.

Isaiah Neyor

We could obviously say Jahmal Banks too, although I'm curious if he gets the low reps treatment Saturday like some other Husker veterans. I think Nebraska coaches already have a good idea what they have in him.

Neyor, meanwhile, has plenty of upside as Husker fans get their first good look at a player who had a tough injury, and subsequently, couple tough years at Texas. But before that there was 19.95 yards per catch at Wyoming in 2021

"Kind of your long speed type of guy who might be able to take the top off a little bit more," Husker wide receivers coach Garret McGuire said of Neyor. "Jahmal's a big body receiver that when you press him, he actually probably gets a little bit better just because he can be a little more physical with you at the line of scrimmage and within the route."

Chief Borders

We know he likes listening to Kenny G to calm him before taking the field. And we know he's maybe the most improved player of all this spring, according to Rhule.

He's a fourth-year college player, but saw limited snaps at Florida the first two years and his reps were down as last season was closing too. But you can see the bounce in Borders in even a quick practice glimpse. He's someone who will play some important snaps as a versatile Jack backer.

 "I mean, Chief has (arrived at), 'You know what? I can play,'" Rhule said. "And he's a problem out there."