Nebraska Football: Who will replace JD Spielman as Cornhuskers’ WR1?

JD Spielman has entered the NCAA transfer portal, but who will replace the talented wide out as the go-to target in 2020?

News came out on Monday afternoon that Nebraska’s leading receiver JD Spielman would be entering the NCAA transfer portal, opting to play somewhere else for his final year of collegiate eligibility.

The news wasn’t that shocking as he stepped away from the team and went home this offseason to get himself right with his Nebraska status uncertain. Now it’s official he’s moving on.

And then there’s still stat which hits Nebraska fans hard.

Three 800-yard seasons for the first time in school history and then he became the 14th Nebraska player to transfer under Scott Frost this offseason. That’s not the stat you want to see if you’re looking for a bright future in Lincoln.

Who steps up to replace Spielman as Nebraska football’s WR1?

Spielman had 49 catches for 898 yards and five touchdowns on 18.3 yards per reception in 2019, double the next-closest receiver in hybrid receiver/running back Wan’Dale Robinson.

The Cornhuskers are now tasked with replacing that steady production from a guy who finished his career with over 2,500 yards receiving in Lincoln. Who will step up as the next WR1 for the Cornhuskers in 2020?

Robinson already assumed that role, it seemed, when Spielman decided to head home to Minnesota to figure things out and that would be my pick as Nebraska’s next go-to guy. He already has a solid connection with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez, finishing with 40 catches for 453 yards and two touchdowns in 2019 and he can be a dual-threat.

While Robinson is the early favorite, Kade Warner has the most experience and could be a threat but the talented trio of incoming recruits — Omar Manning (JUCO), Jamie Nance and Zavier Betts — could all push for that spot as well. All were highly-touted guys and will be on that two-deep this fall.

Right now, Robinson will be the go-to guy for the Cornhuskers, but don’t be shocked if Betts, Manning or Nance push for the WR1 distinction by season’s end.