As part of the Big XII Media Days, Bo Pelini announced the depth chart for the start of fall practice. (And yes, we're banning the use of the word "training camp" here...)
Tight End: Mike McNeill, Ryan Hill
Hunter Teafatiller would be on this list, but he's got bigger problems. This situation looks fluid here.
Left Tackle: Lydon Murtha, Mike Smith
Will Murtha finally break through this season? Enquiring minds want to know. Personally, I'm skeptical.
Left Guard: Mike Huff, Keith Williams
Huff gets a love/hate response from fans. I wonder if Williams can push him this season.
Center: Jacob Hickman, Mike Caputo
Insiders talk about the progress Caputo has made at center. This one bears watching.
Right Guard: Matt Slauson, D.J. Jones
This might be the most loaded position on the offensive line if Slauson returns to form.
Right Tackle: Javorio Burkes, Marcel Jones
There's a lot of youth on this side of the line. Burkes got some significant playing time at the end of last season.
WR(X): Nate Swift, Menelik Holt, Chris Brooks
Holt or Brooks needs to step up this season. Swift is a decent receiver, but not a game breaker
WR(Y): Todd Peterson, Niles Paul or Curenski Gilleylen
See above. The walkon Peterson has made some clutch plays, but the Huskers need Paul or Gilleylen to rise this season. My darkhorse here is Marlon Lucky in some sets.
FB: Thomas Lawson, Justin Makovicka
Seeing a Mak on the depth chart at fullback is a sight for sore eyes.
IB: Marlon Lucky or Roy Helu, Quentin Castille
Helu a co-#1 I-Back? That "or" is big IMHO. I'm thinking that we'll see Lucky spread around the field a little bit to get both of these backs on the field this season.
QB: Joe Ganz, Patrick Witt, Zac Lee
Not a surprise to me that Witt's ahead of Lee at this point. I do wonder if Lee better fits Pelini's plans for a mobile quarterback.
Open DE: Barry Turner, Pierre Allen
No surprises here.
DT: Ty Steinkuhler, Kevin Dixon.
No surprises here, though we need to see some younger players get some playing time this season, as both of these guys are seniors.
NT: Ndamakong Suh, Dixon, Shukree Barfield
Ditto on the surprise factor
Base DE: Zach Potter, Clayton Sievers
Same song...no surprises.
Buck LB: Tyler Wortman, Blake Lawrence
Lawrence is up to 225, which might be more impressive with the downsizing the rest of the team has seen this year.
Mike LB: Phillip Dillard, Colton Koehler
Dillard's back down to 235, which should be good news about last year's hybrid linebacker/nose tackle.
Will LB: Cody Glenn, LaTravis Washington
Pelini stresses effort over scheme. Glenn's development at linebacker will be the test of that philosophy.
LCB: Armando Murillo, Eric Hagg
SS: Larry Asante, Major Culbert
Has the Major found a home?
FS: Rickey Thenarse, Matt O'Hanlon
We know Thenarse is going to hit someone and hit them hard. The only question is whether Pelini and Marvin Sanders can make sure it's the right guy.
RCB: Anthony West, Prince Amakurama
The youngsters will need to learn quickly
PK: Alex Henery or Adi Kunalic
My guess it's the same as last year. Henery will handle PAT's and short/medium FG's. Kunalic will handle kickoffs and long FG's.
P: Dan Titchener, Jake Wesch
Titchener goes down as the latest in a long line of recent great Nebraska punters. Let's hope he's not needed as much this season.