Stanley Morgan Jr.’s departure for the NFL draft will probably hurt the passing game in 2019, but there are a few guys who might help make this season a better experience for Husker fans.

Potential Starters/Contributors

JD Spielman - Jr.

Everybody knows how awesome Spielman is, and I’m of the mindset that we would’ve beat Iowa if he would’ve played. Spielman is a special player, and as a Chiefs fan he reminds me a lot of Tyreek Hill. They’re both small and shifty that can get up in the air and catch the ball at the high point. While Morgan Jr. was the first Husker to hit the 1,000 yard single season receiving mark Spielman wasn’t too far off, he finished the season with 818 yards. If he wasn’t out for the final two games I’m guessing he would’ve also hit 1,000 yards. Spielman is going to be exciting to watch on offense this season, and on special teams if he stays on punt return. In 2018 Spielman earned a few notable honors and awards:

- NU Receiver of the Year (2018)

- Third-Team All-Big Ten (2018, Coaches & Media)

- Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List (2018)

- Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List (2018)

Those honors are pretty awesome, but the best honor for him is being the nephew of Chris Spielman.

Kade Warner - So.

Ever heard of Kurt Warner? I’m sure you have and I’m sure you’ve also heard a bajillion time that Kade is his son. I’m kind of surprised Warner isn’t on scholarship yet after the amount of production he gave the Huskers in 2018. The fact that Warner is the lone receiver from the 2017 class that gives the Huskers production is pretty sad. Mike Riley recruited two players, who shall not be named, that put some much hype into the 2017 class that ended up doing jack. Warner reminds me a lot like Westerkamp, but he doesn’t have as great of hands. I believe if he puts in the work in the offseason, increase his speed and agility he could become a great cog for this offense. Future Patriot? Maybe, everybody knows Bill Belichek...

Mike Williams - Sr.

To say Williams had a decent season might be over-exaggerating it. Williams has a lot of hype around him when he transferred from East Mississippi Community College, the famous college from Netflix’s Last Chance U. About halfway through the season Warner replaced Williams as a starter, but with Stan gone we’re all kind of assuming Williams will be a starter once again. From what we’ve seen from Williams, it seems like he's a pretty good athlete. He has good speed, but I think he needs to work on his. catching ability and route running. If he locks down those, I think he’s a dark horse to be drafted in the 2020 NFL draft.

Jaevon McQuitty - So.

McQuitty had potential to start as a true freshman in 2017, but suffered a season ending knee injury in his first spring. McQuitty didn’t see the field much, if any in 2018, but with the departure of Stan I think there’s a chance he gets some significant playing time this season. McQuitty has good potential, his size isn’t amazing as he’s under six feet but after seeing his highlights and him in the spring game it seems like he has the football gene.

Jaron Woodyard - Sr.

For whatever reason Woodyard hasn’t seen much playing time in his career here at Nebraska. The amount of receivers Nebraska has with playing experience isn’t much, so maybe Woodyard will be able to reach the field this season. I’m going to be honest, I don’t see him getting much more playing time than just coming off the bench.

Incoming Freshman on Scholarship

Andre Hunt - RFr.

I know Hunt got some playing time in the Bethune-Cookman game, but I still consider him incoming because he got a very limited amount of playing time that didn’t affect his redshirt. Hunt is most likely going to play most of his snaps in the Duck R position Scott Frost brought with his new offense.

Jamie Nance

Nance is an incoming freshman from Blanchard, OK. We don’t know whether he will redshirt.

Darien Chase

Chase is an incoming freshman from Vancouver, WA. We don’t know whether he will redshirt.

Demariyon Houston

The lone commit for the second signing period is from Oklahoma City, OK. We don’t know if he will be redshirting.

Others and Walk-Ons

Chad Alioth Jr. - 6-2 195 lb. So.

Christian Banker - 6-1 190 lb. So.

Ty Chaffin - 6-5 210 lb. Jr.

Bennett Folkers - 6-2 195 lb. RFr.

Justin Holm - 6-6 185 lb. RFr.

Todd Honas - 5-11 200 lb. Jr.

Wyatt Liewer - 6-3 185 lb. RFr.

Brandon Robbins - 6-3 195 lb. So.

Andrew Thurman - 6-4 205 lb. So.

Conclusion

Stan being gone is going to hurt, and that's just a fact. With Adrian Martinez and Spielman being back I don’t foresee our passing game to take a huge hit. Our air game has a chance to improve if some of the unproven guys can step up this year. We’ll see just how much the unproven pieces around Martinez have improved come August 31.