Rhule talks roster and more at Big Ten Media Days

Shortly after his session at the main podium during Big Ten Media Days, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule held a side session with reporters. Here’s a quick rundown of what the coach had to say.

>> Rhule said Isaiah Mozee, who entered the program as a receiver, asked the coaches in the spring what they would think of him playing running back. Rhule said the coaches were intrigued with the idea, especially because Mozee did running back-type things in high school at Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North.

On Tuesday during Big Ten Media Days, Nebraska’s online roster was updated, and Mozee is now listed as a running back. Rhule said the position change is a great way to get Mozee on the field right away as a true freshman. Rhule also added offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is excited about Mozee’s versatility as a runner and pass catcher.

>> What does sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola need to do to take the next step in his game? Rhule said he was pleased with how well Raiola played as a first-year player in 2024. The coach said he wants to see Raiola take better care of the ball and not do too much. At times, Rhule said, Riaola would go for the ‘wow’ play or the ‘wow’ throw, when the checkdown to a running back may have been there.

Another area where Rhule wants to see improvement — body language. The coach doesn’t want to see what he saw at the low moments last year, like Raiola hanging his head after a bad play.

>> Rhule said there’s an outisde narrative or image of Holgorsen some have where he’s the wild coach taking a swig of a Red Bull on the sideline. Holgorsen may have been that at West Virginia, but Rhule said that’s not what he’s seen at Nebraska. “He’s a grinder,” Rhule said of Holgorsen. The OC is in the building working all the time and is determined to be part of the change.

>> Offensive tackle Teddy Prochazka is full-go right now, Rhule said. Prochazka had a season-ending ACL injury last August. The coach added offensive lineman Turner Corcoran isn’t ready to play right now as he rehabs from hamstring surgery. Rhule said Corcoran needing more time isn’t a surprise considering his injury.

“Teddy’s full (go). Teddy’s good to go,” Rhule said. “Turner is going to be a while still. I know he ran yesterday and felt good, but he’s not there yet. So that will take some time, and that we knew.”

>> Rhule said if there was a practice tomorrow, Tyler Knaak would be on the field as the starting right tackle first. That spot, however, is far from decided. Gunnar Gottula, Prochazka and others are in the mix as fall camp begins.

“I think you’re talking about Tyler Knaak, the first day would go out there first,” Rhule said of the right tackle spot. “Gunnar might go there as well. Teddy’s a guy that can swing on both sides. So I think you have a bunch of guys that have played, and so it’s going to be one of those deals where it’s going to come down to day by day. Like, we show up, we take a test. Whoever does best on the test probably goes out there first.”

Rhule said it “won’t be an emotional thing” when it comes to determine who the starting right tackle will be. Instead, it will be about who’s more consistent.

“Having good players and having depth, I think, is really, really important,” Rhule said.

>> At tight end, Rhule mentioned both Carter Nelson and Mac Markway are full-go. The coach said the doctors might want to be careful with Nelson to start fall camp, but as far as Rhule knows, the second-year player is ready to play.

Nelson had hip surgery in January after the bowl game. Markway suffered a season-ending ACL injury just before the UTEP opener.

“He better be (full-go),” Rhule said of Nelson. “They told me he was, but he’s full go right now. So I’m sure the doctors will want to be smart with him early. But Mac Markway is full go. He’s (Nelson) full go.”

Much more to come from Big Ten Media Days.