Nebraska Football Fall Camp Preview: Tight End
Matt Rhule’s first fall camp with Nebraska football is right around the corner. The HuskerOnline team dives into what to expect from the Huskers with our position-by-position fall camp previews.
The series continues with Nebraska’s tight ends. It’s a group that owns a high ceiling with some lingering questions about health that remain unanswered. Plus, a quick look at the fullbacks.
What we know right now: Nebraska has a lot of potential in this sector
There’s plenty of star power in the Husker tight-end unit this year. More than Nebraska has had in quite some time.
Thomas Fidone is the headliner even though he has appeared in only one game as a Husker. He carried a four-star rating and was considered the No. 1 tight end in the 2021 class. During his senior season, Fidone hauled in 43 passes for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns. The top 40 target was the highest-rated player to sign with Nebraska since 2008 in large part due to his speed and what is now a 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame.
The Huskers locked in another major target for quarterback Jeff Sims through the transfer portal. A former five-star tight end, Arik Gilbert committed to Nebraska in January after spending the previous two seasons at Georgia. Initially, the top tight end in the class of 2020 committed to LSU where he made 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns.
Gilbert won his way onto the Freshman All-SEC team for his efforts. Yet at Georgia the 6-foot-6, 260 pounder struggled, catching two passes for 16 yards and a score in three games with the Bulldogs. Gilbert sat out the 2021 season with his redshirt and missed a serious portion of the 2022 campaign.
Nate Boerkircher is the only true returner from last year’s group. His receiving production is relatively minimal (52 yards and a touchdown) but he appeared in over 200 plays for Nebraska last year.
Of course, one couldn’t detail the tight end room without touching on the planned rebirth of the fullback in Nebraska’s offense. The rise of Janiran Bonner came as a pleasant surprise this spring and he is the only player in the mix on scholarship. Size and athleticism are the highlights for the former wideout who stands at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds.
Others getting time in the role include Braden Klover, who was present in the spring, as well as three walk-ons in Trevor Ruth (Nebraska-Kearney/Seward), Barret Liebentritt (Notre Dame/Skutt Catholic) and Caden Becker (Wyoming/Skutt Catholic).
Nebraska TE Thomas Fidone’s “relentless” competitiveness and drive have made him Matt Rhule’s guy
Key stats and numbers from 2022
| Player | 2022 Snap Count |
| Nate Boerkircher | 224 |
| Player | Targets | Catches-Yards | TDs | Y/REC | YAC |
| Nate Boerkircher | 10 | 6-52 | 1 | 8.7 | 20 |
Biggest Question: Can the Huskers reach it?
There’s plenty of potential here. But, potential is the world’s greatest unused resource.
In spite of all of the Huskers’ tight-end talent, very little of it has translated to on-field production. Fidone’s career is one defined thus far by injury. A knee injury in the springs of both 2021 and 2022 robbed him of the last two seasons.
The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native has a single reception throughout his time in Lincoln. It was a five-yard catch in the 2023 spring game. A period of time that was injury free for the first time in Fidone’s career. Recent comments indicate he has the confidence he needs to make a recovery.
Still, that needs to be proven on the field against Division-I competition.
Meanwhile, Gilbert missed much of his last season at Georgia because he had to step away for personal reasons. He has played 31 collegiate snaps in the last two years.
Boerkircher’s 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame suggests he would be capable of fitting in with the top two names above. Plus, he led the White team with three catches for 44 yards during the spring game. What sort of jump is he capable of making?
It will fall to the players and first-year assistant coach Bob Wager to make sure Nebraska’s tight ends find a way to make a significant impact.
Projected Fall Camp TE Depth Chart
Tight End
1. Thomas Fidone
2. Nate Boerkircher OR Arik Gilbert
Fullback
1. Janiran Bonner
2. Braden Klover OR Barrett Liebentritt
3. Caden Becker OR Trevor Ruth
