Quarterbacks coach Kevin Daft on his group:
Quarterbacks are doing a really nice job. We've got some young guys, we've got one veteran. They're doing a nice job, taking control, showing signs of leadership, taking command of the offense. They've made some big plays. They need to continue to do that through camp. So I'm excited to see what they've done so far and continue that progress.
Jackson's come a long way. He's always had the talent. I mean, he's got some opportunities the last couple of years and he's turned the corner and doing some great things. He's one of our team captains, one of our leaders, great job on and off the field. He's capable of making plays with his feet and throwing the ball. So excited to see him continue to get more opportunities and take it to the next level.
I love being around this group. Definitely in meetings out on the field, we're able to know when it's time to work, they're working. When it is time to have fun and we can joke around and enjoy each other's company.
Quarterback Jackson Proctor on the personnel at his position:
The quarterback room has been great. We have two young guys who are doing really, really well. I'm really proud of them right now. They're getting the hang of it. It's a lot your freshman year, so they're doing well. They're asking questions.
We also have two sophomores who are ready to play right now. And so I think that's really good for our growth in the quarterback room. It helps me be better because I'm able to show some leadership and be the old guy. I had Derek Kyler when I was a freshman. So having that older role model in the quarterback room is always really important.
Definitely being in the film room this off season, I'd say the film and honing in on my diet have been a big part of what I've tried to do this off season. But really just trying to build on what we did last year. Obviously we shared an Ivy League title. Don't want to do that again. We want to win it outright. So just kind of improving on what we did last season, especially for me. And going for 1-and-0 every day, taking it one day at a time, not trying to do too much, keep chopping wood and carrying water.
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This is a stunner that I missed the first time around.
Mac Markway, ranked by ESPN as the No. 3 tight end in the country coming out of high school, walked out of LSU football practice last month and walked on to the Nebraska team to the surprise of the Husker coaches. From a HuskerExtra story:
Husker coaches received the shock of camp Monday — the first day of UNL classes — when the big-bodied playmaker walked into the Osborne Legacy Complex unannounced and asked if he could walk on. A quick background check revealed Markway had participated in five practices with LSU before leaving Aug. 5.
And . . .
“Since I found out he was here I’ve researched him a little bit,” NU offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield said. “He’s a good player. Got a chance to do some things for us as everything starts to take place. Just showed up at school and here he is.”
“I was shocked,” coach Matt Rhule said. “It’s an unbelievable surprise.”
Read the full story about the peripatetic 6-foot-4, 258-pound tight end HERE.
Green Alert Take: Before Ivy Leaguers throw stones, there's a little glass house twist here. I thought I remembered this and I was right. With a little research I found an even later transfer by someone who became a prominent player in the Ancient Eight. A Sept. 6, 1998 San Francisco Examiner story includes a note reporting that "Backup defensive back Than Merrill, who announced last week he was leaving Stanford, requested and received permission to transfer." He played for Yale later that month and went on to have a solid career and become an NFL draft pick.
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As long as the topic is football oddities, how about this headline? Connor Stalions, the analyst who was allegedly the mastermind behind Michigan's sign-stealing operation, is now an interim high school head coach. Find the story HERE.
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EXTRA POINT
A local TV meteorologist informed us this week that conditions appear to be ripe for a very good foliage season in these parts. There's a chance the colors could be close to peak by the Oct. 5 game against Penn.
This shot from my hike yesterday is a reminder that the color change is underway eve if I can see little more than green out my window this morning:
