Five Offensive Players to Watch in Nebraska's Red-White Spring Game
Nebraska Football will debut its 2024 squad at its annual Red-White Spring Scrimmage on Saturday.
The Spring Game begins at 11:00 a.m. on April 27 in Memorial Stadium and is televised on the Big Ten Network.
Here are five players on offense to watch during the spring game, including four new players to Matt Rhule’s squad:
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Dylan Raiola, QB, Fr.
College football fans across the nation will be tuning in to watch Dylan Raiola‘s first game in a Husker jersey. The former five-star quarterback has been the story for Nebraska’s spring. After a 2023 season plagued with quarterback turnovers, the Huskers desperately need a great quarterback to take care of the ball and run the offense effectively. Raiola could be that guy.
Raiola has been competing with fellow freshman quarterback Daniel Kaelin and returning starter Heinrich Haarberg. The number of reps, their quality and with which team are critical to watch for Raiola. His ability to command an offense and composure are also key for his first game in front of 60,000 fans.
Husker fans won’t get a full pitch of NU’s quarterbacks on Saturday, as they will be in no-contact green jerseys. But there are definitely pieces of the picture that could become clearer.
Isaiah Neyor, WR, Sr.
Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor has made a splash to spring on Nebraska’s offense. The Texas transfer is a projected start this spring. His experience, ability to create separation and catch 50-50 balls make him a threat, the senior said this spring.
Neyor spent three seasons at Wyoming and recorded 1,111 receiving yards in two seasons. He had 878 receiving yards on 44 catches in 2021 to be named a second-team All-Mountain West honoree. Afterward, he transferred to Texas for two seasons. He recorded one catch in 2023 for 14 yards and didn’t play in 2022 due to injury.
His years of experience in an inexperienced group are extremely valuable to this group. Many of his coaches and teammates have mentioned what a critical addition he is to this group.
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Jahmal Banks, WR, Sr.
Jahmal Banks is another wide receiver who is projected to have a huge role this fall. He stands at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, as one of Nebraska’s largest receivers.
Banks was one of the eight players who sat out during Nebraska’s first scrimmage this spring. Rhule said he said those eight players because of their years of experience. He was the only transfer to do so. It’s clear Rhule and the Huskers are confident in what Banks has shown this spring.
The senior started 10 games for Wake Forest in 2023. He had a team-high 59 receptions and a team-high 653 yards. In 2022, his 42 catches and 636 receiving yards helped him earn honorable-mention All-ACC honors.
Emmett Johnson, RB, So.
Running back Emmett Johnson is the only returning player on this list. Johnson played in 12 games in 2023 and started six of the last seven after injury struck the Huskers’ backs. The redshirt sophomore recorded 411 rushing yards on 90 carries and two touchdowns.
Johnson’s teammates and coaches have said he has taken a huge step this off-season. Gabe Ervin Jr. said Johnson is “firing” this spring and is “going to be something special.”
With Ervin still limited after a season-ending hip injury in 2023, Johnson has a big opportunity to create a critical role in this deep running back’s room.
Micah Mazzccua, OL, Sr.
Nebraska’s starting offensive line seems to be a lock this spring. The tackles and center are for sure set and guards Justin Evans and Henry Lutovsky have the lead on guard. However, Florida transfer Micah Mazzccua has been pushing the Husker starters this spring, Rhule said. Keep an eye out for how much Mazzccua plays on Saturday and if he gets reps with the starting group.
Mazzccua started at right guard in 11 of Florida’s 12 games in 2023. He played 743 snaps on an offense that averaged 408.8 yards and 28.4 points per game. The Gators also had one of the most difficult schedules last season. At Baylor, the Philadelphia, Pa. native played in 11 games with 10 starts in 2022. He appeared in nine games in 2021 and redshirted in 2020.
