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Coach comments on that and more after Huskers’ fifth spring practice
A portion of Nebraska football's fifth practice of spring was open to the media Tuesday morning, and head coach Matt Rhule explained afterward what he hopes will become a new Husker tradition: awarding single-digit jersey numbers to the team's toughest players.
In his previous jobs, he said, "I got really tired of having a guy in my program who had spent three years as number 47 getting ready to play and wanted to wear No. 1 or No. 3 and he had earned it, and then we would give it to a recruit.
"What we decided was 0 through 9 would go to the nine or 10 toughest guys on the team. When I say 'toughest,' we define that for the guys. Really, the guys who best exemplify what it means to be a Cornhusker, to be accountable, to be dependable, to be tough, hardworking, competitive every single day. As we get into training camp, the players will vote on it, and we hope it becomes a tradition."
One-third of the way into spring ball, Rhule said a depth chart is still months away: "I can't even begin to think about a depth chart until the fall. In fact, I tell the staff all the time, please do not evaluate their technical skills and drills, like 'This guy can do this, he can't do this' yet. Try to improve it. ... In our system, you come in, we're teaching the offense and defense right now, and then over summer we'll try to improve it. Then in training camp, fall camp, we'll try to perfect it. And then in the season, we'll try to execute it."
Also commenting after Tuesday's practice were players Jeff Sims, Rahmir Johnson and Turner Corcoran. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. Refresh this page for the latest additions. Go here for the HuskerMax discussion.
Presser coverage
- Husker247 | Rhule quick hits: Keeping guys relaxed, spring recruiting and single-digit jerseys for toughest guys
- Husker247 | Rhule hopes to make earning single-digit numbers new Husker tradition
- Hail Varsity* | Huskers Step up to Matt Rhule's Challenge as Nebraska Starts Second Week of Spring Practice
- Hail Varsity* | After a Quiet 2022 Season, Rahmir Johnson's Play has Been Loud this Spring
- Nebraska Athletics | Rhule Talks New Tradition, Spring Practice Progress
- HuskerOnline* | Practice cliffs: Sims says transition to Nebraska has been "smooth"
- Omaha World-Herald* | Why AJ Rollins' gray jersey is good news for Nebraska's defense
- Omaha World-Herald* | Husker notes: Lincoln Southeast grad Gunnar Gottula impressing coaches
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Red Report: Nebraska is nowhere near forming a depth chart yet
Presser video
Practice observations
- Hail Varsity* | Position Shuffling, Return Candidates and Other Observations from Husker Practice
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Quick hits: The competition, coaching and technique on display at Nebraska football’s open practice
- Omaha World-Herald* | Sights and sounds from Nebraska's practice
- HuskerOnline* | Spring practice observations
- Photos | OWH,* Husker247, HV, HOL
Practice video
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