December 2021 fresh links

From Husker247, a status report and scholarship count for each position group. | OWH on the O-line*

Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt has accepted an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine* in early March.

Steven Sipple* looks back fondly on the good old days when a player of Ndamukong Suh’s stature didn’t balk at playing in a “meaningless” bowl.

A John Madden story told by Dave Humm.

Nebraska women’s basketball is undefeated no more after falling by three points at Michigan State.

HuskerOnline offers up a year-end perspective with questions and predictions for 2022.

Montana transfer Brain Buschini brings an arsenal of punting styles* to Lincoln to help remedy one of the Huskers’ deficiencies in special teams.*

COVID caused a $29 million operating deficit* for Nebraska athletics in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Tony Davis has stories to tell* as he gets set to enter the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame. | ’74 game page

Former Husker Niles Paul is joining the coaching staff at his alma mater, Omaha North.

John Madden got a taste of Nebraska during the bus trips that took him through the state. | 1990 SI story

Husker Dan: Does Nebraska really need a dedicated special teams coach?

With JoJo Domann gone, there’s a void to fill in the linebacking corps* in 2022.

Transfer quarterback Chubba Purdy* from Florida State receives a Nebraska offer.

Concentrating on getting the simple stuff right is what can redeem the Scott Frost era, Tad Stryker writes.

The defensive secondary* loses a lot of experience in 2022, but the cupboard is far from bare.

Rex Burkhead rushes for a career-high 149 yards in the Texans’ win over the Chargers. | More NFL Huskers*

December signee Emmett Johnson says his versatility can help make him more than just another running back for Nebraska.

This week in Husker history: Forty-five years ago, a narrow bowl win may have saved Tom Osborne’s job.

The defense loses its primary leaders,* but others are ready step up in 2022.

Mickey Joseph paid his dues* en route to being hired by his alma mater, Steven Sipple writes. | Chatelain on the bowls*

Football staffer Marcus Castro-Walker is leaving for a similar post at Florida.

Here’s a status report and wish list for each position group* heading into 2022.

Middle blocker Callie Schwarzenbach enters volleyball’s transfer portal after four seasons as a Husker. | Decision tracker

Oregon’s hiring* of Tony Tuioti is now official.

Experiences from three decades ago help make Mickey Joseph the ideal recruiter* for Nebraska, Dirk Chatelain writes. | Southern connections

Tight ends coach Sean Beckton earns assistant of the year* recognition from the LJS.

Tony Tuioti’s imminent departure clarifies what the coaching staff will look like, Sean Callahan writes.

The Nebraska men rediscover their shooting touch in an 88-74 win over Kennesaw State.

Linebacker, safety, nickel, quarterback? Gage Stenger will come to Lincoln next month as a wild card.

The Husker women finish the nonconference slate by building a 20-point lead and coasting to a 72-61 win over Wyoming.

Oregon is reportedly set to hire defensive line coach Tony Tuioti* away from Nebraska. | Discuss

Contract details* for Mickey Joseph and Donovan Raiola have been released.

Defensive back Tommi Hill’s indirect route* to Nebraska is a reminder that recruiting is never really over.

North Alabama has hired former Husker running backs coach Ryan Held* as offensive coordinator.

Transfer punter Brian Buschini talks with Adam Carriker about why he chose Nebraska.

The LJS looks at what it takes* to play quarterback for new Husker offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.

The spring game will take place April 9,* Trev Alberts says on the radio. | Finalizing the staff | Video

Husker Dan gives updates on Johnny Rodgers, volleyball and football coaching hires.

The OWH sheds light on the search process* that led to the hiring of Nebraska’s three new assistant coaches.

Derek Peterson sees four players in position to benefit from the staff changes on offense. More commentary and analysis: McKewon,* Sipple,* Callahan

Another display of cold shooting sends Nebrasketball to its fifth loss in a row as Kansas State wins in Lincoln, 67-58.

Associate head volleyball coach Tyler Hildebrand is leaving* to become head coach at Long Beach State.

Points off turnovers are the big difference (44-15) as the Nebraska women keep up their perfect start to the season by rolling past Drake, 89-68.

The national runner-up volleyball team is saluted at Pinnacle Bank Arena. | Decision tracker

Even with talent acquisition* still under way for 2022, the staff can’t pause its work on the 2023 class.

This week in Husker history: Nebraska’s 1961 coaching search continues, with John Ralston getting the sense he’s not the Huskers’ top candidate.

Wisconsin’s hot start to the fifth set proves too much for the Huskers to overcome, and the Badgers take home the national championship. | More coverage, commentary & highlights

Here are extensive recaps of Mickey Joseph’s and Mark Whipple’s remarks about their visions for the team. | Shaping the offense*

Recruiting and gambling are on the docket in the final Husker Doc Talk of 2021.

The Huskers get a commitment from Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda,* a wide receiver transferring from New Mexico State with two years of remaining eligibility. | Bio

Outside linebacker Pheldarius Payne has taken his name out of the transfer portal and will remain at Nebraska.* | DB Malik Williams leaving | Decision tracker

Decoldest Crawford, wide receiver previously committed to LSU, signs with the Huskers. | Coverage & highlights | Class of 2022 | Discuss

Lexi Rodriguez is named volleyball’s national freshman of the year.

Scanned-ticket numbers* shed light on which Husker game times and opponent matchups were a hit with fans in 2021.

Nebraska volleyball is headed to the national championship match against Wisconsin after a 3-1 win over No. 3 seed Pittsburgh. | Highlights | More coverage

Scott Frost says on the radio that the Huskers’ quarterbacks are eager to compete regardless of whether a transfer* is added to the mix. | Video

Adrian Martinez announces that Kansas State will be his transfer destination.* | Decision tracker

Sam McKewon says the East-West recruiting disparity* in the Big Ten is another reason to scrap the conference’s divisions.

Kearney, Nebraska, the epicenter of visual sports data.

Quarterback Myles Brennan, believed to be a top Nebraska target, exits the transfer portal and will stay at LSU, and Central Florida’s Dillon Gabriel opts for UCLA.

From HuskerOnline, the highs, lows, hits and misses from early signing day. | Roster fits

What will Nebraska’s offense* and quarterback play look like next season? Wednesday’s presser provided fodder for conjecture. | Shatel* and Christopherson on Whipple

Scott Frost breaks down the recruiting class and talks enthusiastically* about the working with his new assistants on offense. | Commentary & analysis: Callahan, McKewon,* Sipple* | Video: Frost, Whipple, Raiola, Joseph | Frost transcript | H’Max recruiting central

Former Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr.* is joining the Lincoln North Star football staff as offensive coordinator.

Emmett Johnson, all-purpose running back from Minneapolis, announces he’s signing with the Huskers. | Discuss

Nebraska lands an offensive lineman on signing day as Justin Evans-Jenkins from New Jersey chooses the Huskers. | Discuss

Lexi Rodriguez is named a first-team volleyball All-American, and two other Huskers earn second- and third-team honors.

Nebraska’s recruiting class won’t have the high ranking* that’s been typical in recent years, and there’s more to it than a small class size.

The signatures are rolling in from the 2022 recruits, and you can follow it on our recruiting page and the discussion board. | Signing Day Show | Early-signing primers: 1, 2*

Reserve linebacker Jackson Hannah is entering the transfer portal.

Center Cam Jurgens announces he’s entering next spring’s NFL draft after four years as a Husker.* | Carriker gut reaction | Discuss | Decision tracker

Donovan Raiola talks on the radio about his new job and the need to have “five guys playing as one” on the offensive line. | Video

Johnny Rodgers says his fitness has aided in his COVID recovery, and he regrets* he wasn’t vaccinated.

Jaeden Gould, four-star defensive back from New Jersey, announces his commitment to the Huskers. | Coverage & highlights | Class of 2022 | Discuss

Trev Alberts dashes rumors of an NCAA investigation into the men’s basketball program.

Omahan Kevin Williams Jr., the offensive lineman bound for Nebraska via Northern Colorado, feels like he has finally gained respect in his home state.

DeShon Singleton, a 6-foot-3 defensive back who played both cornerback and safety at the juco level, commits to the Huskers. | Highlights & coverage | Discuss | Class of 2022

Montana’s Brian Buschini, the national punter of the year at the FCS level, announces he’s transferring* to Nebraska. | Discuss | Decision tracker

Scott Frost’s restructured contract places his salary at No. 11 in the Big Ten.

Husker Dan: News from Huskerland – volleyball, football, Jay Norvell, Dylan Mostek, Adrian Martinez.

Mickey Joseph says on the radio that Scott Frost is giving the offensive staff* free rein “to do things the way we see it.” | Video

Nebraska gets a commitment from defensive back Tommi Hill, who is transferring from Arizona State.* | Discuss | FCS punter offered

High-profile additions to the transfer portal give Nebraska possible new options at quarterback.* | “Wild world” of NIL money*

Volleyball coach John Cook talks with Adam Carriker about the win over Texas, the team’s chemistry, his rebound from burnout a dozen years ago and more.

JoJo Domann is named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, and Luke Reimer is a first-teamer on the analytics-based Sports Info Solutions squad.

Running back Ashton Hayes from Nevada has decommitted from Nebraska and plans to sign with Cal instead. | Discuss | Class of 2022

Austin Allen and JoJo Domann get MVP recognition as the 2021 team awards are announced. | Athlon’s picks

“I don’t want to forget where I came from”: As he heads to Nebraska to play football, Uganda-born Ernest Hausmann* uses all he has endured as motivation.*

If Mark Whipple can do at Nebraska what he did at Pitt — get the most out of what he had available — things will be interesting in Lincoln next season, Derek Peterson writes. | Sipple on Jurgens* | Callahan’s rundown

Nebraska gets a commitment from placekicker/punter Timmy Bleekrode, a transfer* from Furman.* | Discuss

Former Husker running back Sevion Morrison has committed to Kansas as his transfer destination. | Decision tracker

Husker Doc Talk: The new coaches and the recruiting task.

Fred Hoiberg says Wilhelm Breidenbach’s season is probably over due to his leg injury.

Two of Pitt’s opponents this season provide insights* on what makes Mark Whipple’s offense difficult to defend.

The transfer portal creates a lot of moving parts* to juggle as the early signing period approaches.

This week in Husker history: Three Huskers go in the first eight picks of the NFL’s second-ever draft.

The Huskers are bound for the volleyball Final Four after upsetting No. 2 seed Texas in four sets in Austin. | More

Chicago Bears center Sam Mustipher has high praise* for new Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola.

The Husker women improve to 10-0 with a 78-50 win over Indiana State.

Former Omaha North offensive lineman Kevin Williams,* a transfer from Northern Colorado with two years of remaining eligibility, has committed to Nebraska. | Discuss | Decision tracker

Nebrasketball loses by 30-plus for the second consecutive game as Auburn has its way in Atlanta, 99-68.

Auburn basketball’s Bruce Pearl won’t coach Saturday due to a two-game NCAA suspension, and former Nebraska assistant Wes Flanigan will take his place against the Huskers.

Here’s how the visiting weekend* is shaping up,* plus a rundown of the transfer QBs on Nebraska’s radar.

Watch as Eric Crouch and Kenny Bell discuss their Husker careers, the pressures of football vs. golf and more during a nine-hole round in Omaha.

An Elite Eight rematch with Texas is next as Nebraska advances to the Austin regional volleyball final by sweeping Illinois. | More

Mickey Joseph discusses his return to the Huskers* with Adam Carriker.

Akron transfer QB Zach Gibson has canceled plans to visit Nebraska. | Building the roster | Taking big swings | Recruiting ticker*

One of Mark Whipple’s former quarterbacks* sheds light on how Nebraska’s new offensive coordinator operates: “I never had a game where I didn’t go in knowing everything I was going to see from a defense.”

It’s now official: Mark Whipple and Donovan Raiola are in the fold as Scott Frost’s makeover of the offensive staff nears completion. Commentary & analysis: Callahan, McKewon,* Marik, Carriker, Shatel,* Lassan

“We just quit competing”: Fred Hoiberg calls it humiliating as Nebrasketball goes flat against visiting Michigan, 102-67.

Will Compton* is returning to the NFL as he has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Nebraska lands another kicker as Charlie Weinrich from the Kansas City area commits as a preferred walk-on.

The hirings of Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and Chicago Bears offensive line coach Donovan Raiola* appear imminent.* | Sipple on Raiola*

Quarterback Zach Gibson, a redshirt sophomore transferring from Akron, will visit Lincoln this weekend. More recruiting updates: 1,* 2,* 3

Eric Crouch, who will be enshrined tonight in the College Football Hall of Fame, writes and talks about the honor and the college career he almost gave up on.

Austin Allen and Cam Taylor-Britt are named first-team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press, while JoJo Domann is a second-teamer.

Sam McKewon examines Nebraska’s options* at offensive coordinator and says patience may pay off for Scott Frost.

The Husker women remain unbeaten after pulling out a close hoops win at Minnesota with help down the stretch from Sam Haiby.

Graham Harrell, Mark Whipple, Zak Hill and Robert Anae are some of the names emerging in connection with Nebraska’s search for its next offensive coordinator.*

Nebraska gets a walk-on commitment from Spencer Pankratz, a placekicker transferring from Furman.

Husker Dan: Adrian bids adieu to the Huskers.

Outside linebacker Pheldarius Payne is placing his name in the transfer portal. | Decision tracker

Malcolm Hartzog, a three-star cornerback and kick returner from Bassfield, Miss., announces his commitment to the Huskers. | Coverage & highlights | Discuss | Class of 2022

Adrian Martinez in 2021 outperformed all the quarterbacks who transferred out during his time in Lincoln. | Kansas State or Cal?

Sign up for the 47th Nebraska Classic golf tournament in Palm Springs this February.

Rob Zatechka explains why he’s a little surprised Mickey Joseph took the job on Nebraska’s staff. More commentary: Sipple,* Peterson

Oklahoma will have Brent Venables as head coach when the Sooners visit Lincoln next September.

Johnny Rodgers is hospitalized with COVID.

Brodie Tagaloa, a three-star defensive end from Concord, Calif., announces his commitment to the Huskers. | Discuss | Coverage & highlights | Class of 2022

The Huskers make offers to juco players on the defensive line and at safety. | Recruiting ticker*

This week in Husker history: Hank Foldberg emerges as a prime candidate to become Nebraska’s head coach after Bill Jennings’ exit.

The Huskers advance to the volleyball Sweet 16 with a sweep of Florida State and now will face Illinois at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Austin. | More

Sam McKewon looks at potential hires at offensive coordinator* as well as what qualities might suit Nebraska best.

Here’s a look at the portal offers Nebraska is known to have made.

Indiana erases an early 10-point deficit to send cold-shooting Nebrasketball to a 68-55 loss.

Ed Orgeron explains why he thinks Nebraska got a good one in Mickey Joseph.*

Names of interest in Nebraska’s search for an offensive coordinator are involved in several of this weekend’s games.

Defensive tackle Damion Daniels makes it official and declares he’ll enter the NFL draft. | Discuss | Decision tracker

Nebraska has two quarterbacks on scholarship and a third QB committed, but an addition via the transfer portal can’t be ruled out.

Nebraska holds Campbell to a negative hitting percentage in a sweep that sets up a Saturday night match against Florida State in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. | More

Nebraska announces the hiring of Mickey Joseph as wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator and associate head coach. | Carriker gut reaction | Discuss

Nebraska is set to get an official visit from Jaeden Gould,* a four-star defensive back from New Jersey who decommitted this week from Southern Cal.

Football Scoop and the OWH* are reporting that Mickey Joseph has accepted a position on Scott Frost’s staff and that a deal is being finalized.

Adrian Martinez is entering the transfer portal after a four-year run as Nebraska’s starting quarterback. | Commentary: Callahan, Carriker, Christopherson, McKewon,* Sipple,* Shatel* | Potential destinations | Discuss

Nebraska’s graduation success rate has reached its highest level yet at 95 percent.

From the OWH, a look at other teams’ snakebit seasons* and what happened the following year.

The Nebraska women stay perfect by burying previously unbeaten Wake Forest in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, 86-60, but the men fall to North Carolina State in four overtimes, 104-100.

Fourth-year sophomore center Cam Jurgens* is believed to be giving serious thought to entering the NFL draft.

Brady Weas,* a long snapper transferring from Georgetown, has committed to the Huskers as a preferred walk-on.

The LJS looks at how Brian Kelly’s move from Notre Dame to LSU might affect whether Mickey Joseph* lands on Nebraska’s staff.

Austin Allen is also on Jeremy Pernell’s All-Big Ten team.

Austin Allen is named Big Ten tight end of the year and becomes the first Husker non-specialist since 2014 to earn first-team all-conference honors.

Lexi Rodriguez is named Big Ten volleyball Defensive Player of the Year and is one of three Huskers named to the all-conference first team.

Former Husker receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. has carved out a niche with the Bengals as a special-teams ace and a difference-making blocker on offense.

The football Huskers were No. 12 nationally in TV viewership in 2021, and Nebraska’s Black Friday volleyball and football games set Big Ten Network records.

It wasn’t a banner year for Nebraska’s running backs.