[Husker] Next Season?

[Steve Stone]

[None of the following takes into account the still-incomplete 2006 
recruiting class.]

Using the depth chart from the Colorado game as well as the roster 
from huskers.com as a basis it appears 22 seniors will be leaving 
this team although there's some question about Wali Muhammed whom the 
former lists as a junior and the latter a senior. Is senior tackle 
Fuamatu-Thomas applying for another year?

According to the depth chart, the two-deep offense NU will lose OL 
Jared Helming, OL Brandon Koch, WR Mark LeFlore, and RB Cory Ross. 
Also leaving will be starting RT Seppo Evwareye.

The defense will lose DT LeKevin Smith, DT Titus Adams, LB Adam 
Ickes. FS Blake Tiedke, FS Tyler Fisher, and SS Daniel Bullocks. 
Punter/holder Sam Koch will also be leaving the kicking teams, a 
major loss.

Returning to the offense  - - asuming no injuries or defections - - 
are: TE JB Phillips, TE Josh Mueller, LT Lydon Murtha, LT Christ 
Patrick, LG Greg Austin, C Kurt Mann, RG Mike Huff, RT Matt Slauson, 
RT Newton Lingenfelter, WR Nate Swift, WR Frantz Hardy, WR Terrence 
Nunn, WR Grant Mulkey, FB Dane Todd, FB Grant Miller, RB Marlon 
Lucky, RB Cody Glenn, RB Brandon Jackson, QB Zac Taylor, and QB 
Harrison Beck.

(TE Matt Herian, and OL Andy Christiansen are scheduled to return 
from the injured list. Other potential contributors may be: SS Titus 
Brothers, RB/WR/FS Leon Jackson, WR Isiah Fluellen, OL Brett Byford, 
OL Craig Roark, OL Brock Pasteur, WR Todd Peterson, WR Chris Brooks, 
TE Clayton Sievers, OL Rodney Picou, and OL Jordan Picou.)

Returning to the defense - - asuming no injuries or defections - - 
are: DE Jay Moore, DE Adam Carricker (considering the NFL but 
apparently undecided), DE Kevin Luhrs, DE Ty Steinkuhler, DE Adan 
Blankenship, LB Dontrell Moore, DT Ola Dagundaro, DT Barry Cryer, LB 
Nick Covey, LB Corey McKeon, LB Phillip Dillard, LB Lance 
Brandenburgh, CB Cortney Grixby, CB Tierre Green, and CB Zackary 
Bowman.

(Starting linebackers Stuart Bradley, Bo Ruud, and Steve Octavian are 
due to return from the injured list. Other potential contributors may 
be: LB Nick Covey, FS Andrew Shanle, De Justin Tomerlin,  SS Jeff 
Souder, SS Ben Eisenhart, LB Andy Kadavy, DL Ndamukong Suh, DL Zach 
Potter, and DE Barry Turner.)

Returning to the kicking teams are PK Jordan Congdon, "Bullets" 
Brandon Rigoni and Andrew Shanle, LS Lane Kelly, LS Nathan McBride, 
KOR Tierre Green, KOR Marlon Lucky, PR Cortney Grixby, and PR 
Terrence Nunn, and Holder Joe Ganz.

Offhand, it looks like the WR and LB positions are going to be the 
deepest in talent and experience.

Corrections/additions/extrapolations welcome.



Steve Stone