Donovan Raiola addresses state of Nebraska's center position
As Matt Rhule and his coaching staff work to get Nebraska headed in the right direction, line play has been an emphasis. With fall camp well underway, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola considered how far along the center group is.
So far, Raiola has been pleased with the group and one player, Justin Evans-Jenkins, has stood out in particular to him. Raiola discussed the redshirt freshman and how he’s seized control of the position for now.
“We got a couple guys working there. Justin Evans-Jenkins, he’s doing a great job for us. He’s a developing player and he’s improving a lot. We’ve got other guys back there, too. We can move guys in there, too. But that’s the main guy, right now, at center,” Raiola said.
It’d be an impressive jump for Evans-Jenkins after not playing a game in 2022 while he redshirted. If he can make a leap into the starting lineup and be solid at center, that can be a force multiplier for the offensive line.
Safe to say, plenty of attention will be given to the center spot as Nebraska approaches the season.
Rhule offered an injury update on another Nebraska offensive lineman
Life as a football player has been brutal for Nebraska offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka. He has suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back years for the Huskers and was finally ready to shine in fall camp and hopefully lock up a starting spot for this season… when he suffered yet another injury.
When meeting with media to recap the week of practice, Rhule had to break the tough news that Prochazka had been injured yet again and will have to miss some time.
“Yeah Teddy got banged up again, so Teddy’s out for a little while right now,” Rhule said. “Nothing long term, but he’s banged up unfortunately. So, you know, he’ll be right, we think he’ll be ready for the first game. But, you know, so we’re working Turner (Corcoran), working Gunnar (Gottula), working all those guys on the O-line, and then we’re gonna get Teddy back as soon as possible.
“I love Teddy and I know what he’s done. So ever since I’ve been here, Turner’s been left tackle with the ones every day since I’ve been here. So that’s what I know, right. So I just feel bad for Teddy, because he’s such a wonderful young man and wonderful teammate. And he was excited to get out there and get going.”