Nebraska offensive coordinator explains why Casey Thompson is QB No. 1

The 2022 college football season is still a long way from kickoff, but if it started today Casey Thompson would be the starting quarterback for Nebraska. First-year Huskers offensive coordinator Mark Whipple told the Associated Press that Thompson opened spring practice as the clear favorite.

“I think he’s the best one right now,” Whipple said. “That might change tomorrow. There’s nothing set in stone.”

Thompson spent the first four years of his college career with the Texas Longhorns. He began this past season as the backup to Hudson Card, but took over as starter after the first two games. Thompson finished the season with 2,113 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions as Texas went 5-7 in Steve Sarkisian’s inaugural season.

The Longhorns brought in transfer quarterback Quinn Ewers from Ohio State in the offseason, which prompted Thompson to transfer. Four-year Nebraska starter Adrian Martinez also transferred to Kansas State, leaving the door open for Thompson to take the reigns of the offense. He won’t be without competition, however, as the Huskers also landed Florida State transfer Chubba Purdy and returned backups Logan Smothers and Heinrich Haarberg.

Thompson has a hold on the starting job for now, but Whipple said it’s important to develop depth behind him.

“This day and age it’s changed because of the speed of the game, and more quarterbacks get hurt,” Whipple said. “Why? I think it’s because you’re throwing it more, and if you’re running option there’s a chance you’re going to get hurt.”

Nebraska used Martinez heavily as a runner, with the quarterback leading the team in rushing yards each of the past two seasons. Thompson finished last year at Texas with 157 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, so it remains to be seen how many designed quarterbacks runs will be featured in next year’s offensive scheme.

Whipple is one of four new offensive assistants on the Huskers coaching staff following a disappointing 3-9 finish in 2021. Nebraska still finished second in the Big Ten in total offense, and every single one of its nine losses came by single digits. Considering how close they were to a much different season, the hope is they can finally get over the hump as head coach Scott Frost prepares to enter his fifth year with the program.

Casey Thompson will get his first chance to show off his skills to Nebraska fans at the spring game on April 9. The Huskers then kick off the 2022 season overseas on Aug. 27 against Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland.