Nebraska Football: 3 storylines to follow in spring 2021

Nebraska football starts spring football in two weeks and here are three storylines to follow for Husker fans during spring ball. 

We are still two weeks away from the start of Nebraska football‘s spring football practices, but there are some key questions the Huskers will need to answer this spring.

In one bit of good news, Nebraska football has a relatively good idea of who the starting quarterback will be next season.

Adrian Martinez is going to be the guy unless something unexpected happens and really, for once, there is not going to be a quarterback battle, at least not to start the season.

The Huskers also don’t have to worry a ton about the defense. Certainly, Nebraska wants the defense to improve on its performance, but with all the veterans returning and some promising youngsters, there is reason for optimism on that side of the ball next season.

However, the first storyline still comes back to quarterback, because as we all know, even if you have a solid starter, one injury could ruin everything and that’s why the backups will be important.

Can Nebraska get by with young quarterbacks?

One reason why Martinez is just about guaranteed to start, beyond the fact that he closed the 2020 season strong, is that there aren’t any experienced options behind him.

Logan Smothers was a highly-touted recruit and early enrollee Heinrich Haarberg is an exciting prospect, but it’s hard to expect much from him next season.

Smothers is really the player to watch. Nebraska football can’t have a replay of the 2018 season when an injury to Martinez cost the Huskers a bowl game because their depth at quarterback was non-existent.

Martinez will be the starter this season, but he has been injury-prone and if the young quarterbacks don’t impress, Nebraska football may need to add a transfer as insurance.