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Your Nebraska Cornhuskers returned to the practice fields at Memorial Stadium for the first of 15 practices for Spring Football on Saturday.
The Huskers took to the fields without pads & helmets only for a 2-ish hour workout. The no pad look is NCAA mandated, stating that only helmets can be worn for the first couple of workouts in a season.
Some picture tweets came of the newer folks and it was a welcome sight to see some kids that are signed & enrolled early.
Tristan Gebbia gets to work at #Huskers spring practice opener. pic.twitter.com/ehN9LAA8lR
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) March 4, 2017
As someone on the CN staff suggested, Tristan doesn’t look like a prototypical College athlete quite yet. That thought wasn’t lost on Mike Riley after practice.
A couple years of Stregnth training will do Gebbia some good, he flashes a big arm followed by a wobbly lollipop #Huskers
— Nick Gregath (@Husker_Nick) March 4, 2017
Riley said Gebbia needs to put on some weight before he's ready to play but has already put on some weight since hes been here. #Huskers
— Jake Bockoven (@jakebockoven) March 4, 2017
Bob Diaco came into the workout in full steam, and it seems like he’s working with some Special Teams as well. Loudly, too.
Riley on Diaco- He has an enthusiasm in his teaching that is contagious. #Huskers
— Jake Bockoven (@jakebockoven) March 4, 2017
#Huskers DC Diaco was working w the punters on Technique... I was 60 yards away I could hear him like he was standing next to me pic.twitter.com/sbFWY9RHpW
— Nick Gregath (@Husker_Nick) March 4, 2017
It wasn’t all joy to see the new kids on the field, however. One WR EE didn’t make the field due to medical reasons.
Keyshawn Johnson, Jr. didn't practice today & Riley says it's due to an illness he's been going through since arriving in Lincoln. #Huskers
— Jake Sorensen (@937JakeSorensen) March 4, 2017
If you thought the whole coin flip thing was a tall tale, Mike Riley debunked that quickly.
Qb wise, Riley says he's happy with overall production. O'Brien won the coin toss and took snaps first. #Huskers
— Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) March 4, 2017
And, as far as decision making, one media member called it a dead heat today so far.
Patrick OBrien & Tanner Lee Look so much alike in how they look at the defense, go thru progressions & get the ball out. #Huskers
— Nick Gregath (@Husker_Nick) March 4, 2017
Granted, it’s the first practice of the Spring and the first one for both where Tommy Armstrong & Ryker Fyfe weren’t the ones in front of them, but there’s something there on it.
Coming back to Bob Diaco... word is that he’s a little.... full throttle.
If Jim Harbaugh thinks he coaches with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind, he hasn't met Bob Diaco. Nebraska's new DC is...full throttle.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) March 4, 2017
I'll tell you this.... if you are on defense you had better not, not sprint everywhere at practice. #Huskers Diaco isn't messing around.
— Nick Gregath (@Husker_Nick) March 4, 2017
The Huskers will return to practice on Tuesday afternoon for practice #2. Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco is scheduled to speak to the media after practice.
Back to ball.
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) March 4, 2017
Spring practice one, ✅.
⚪️ #GBR pic.twitter.com/4Jpw7hnXpI