JD PicKell: Casey Thompson is the perfect fit for Nebraska

Scott Frost is at the breaking point in Lincoln. He has put together a combined zero winning seasons during his four year stint at Nebraska. With a 15-29 overall record, this very well could be his last season at the helm. Meanwhile, quarterback Casey Thompson is in a similar spot after transferring in from Texas. The former Longhorn left Austin after a disastrous end to Texas’ 2021 season and their offseason QB additions. Although an unlikely fit, On3’s J.D. PicKell says the addition of Thompson could bode well for both sides in the end.

PicKell broke down Thompson’s impact on the Cornhuskers in his most recent episode of ‘The Hard Count‘. He says at this point in their careers, Thompson and Frost’s goals align perfectly in 2022.

“I’m excited to see how he aligns with what Nebraska wants to do. Talking about just a mentality standpoint, Casey Thompson is in the same spot where Nebraska football is right now. The powers that be at Nebraska have been very clear with Scott Frost. Go make a bowl game…That’s kind of the end of the story,” said PicKell. “For Casey Thompson, this is his shot to win. At Texas, a lot of people in Austin would tell you he kind of got a bad rap there. This is his shot too. Both Nebraska and Casey Thompson are in hungry dog, backed into a corner mode.”

Thompson was Texas’ full-time starter for 10 games and went 4-6. A game from .500 isn’t great and certainly isn’t the standard in Austin as the six losses all came in a row. Still, Thompson finished last season with 2,113 yards and a Big Ten-leading 24 touchdowns. It wasn’t enough for him to stick around, though, after the transfer portal addition of Quinn Ewers.

PicKell believes it will work out for both parties involved. They both have something to prove, which makes them a perfect match heading into this season.

“For Casey Thompson and Nebraska to be so aligned, I think this is a match made in heaven. They’re in prove it mode. They’re both in survive and advance mode. I think to have a quarterback and a program be on such a same page in terms of we got to find a way, I think that’s going to bode well.”

Frost has to put something together this year. Including his two years a UCF, he has just one winning season in six years as a head coach. This season will be a serious gut check for both him and Nebraska’s administration to see what he can put out on the field. With Thompson leading their charge, PicKell believes it could mean much more than 3-9 for the Cornhuskers this fall.

“They’re both so close. They’re much better than 3-9. I’ll be the first to say they will not finish 3-9 this season. For Casey Thompson to have an opportunity like this with Scott Frost, I think it’s going to be great things for Nebraska this upcoming season.”