College Football: 10 schools likely to bounce back in 2022
By Dante Pryor
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers
2021 Record: (3-9, 1-8 Big Ten)
Key Departures: Samori Toure (wide receiver), Austin Allen (tight end), JoJo Doman (defensive back)
Returning Starters: Garrett Nelson (defensive end), Luke Reimer (linebacker), Nick Henrich (linebacker)
Key Newcomers: Casey Thompson (transfer, quarterback), Deshon Singleton (safety), Anthony Grant (transfer, running back)
Why Nebraska bounces back: Was there a team in college football that had worse luck than the Nebraska Cornhuskers? The Huskers suffered eight one-possession losses last season, including two three-point losses. There is no way the ball could bounce the wrong way again.
Last season’s starting quarterback, Adrian Martinez, transferred to Kansas State. Graduate transfer Casey Thompson should step in nicely. He is a better passer than Martinez, which should improve the offense.
The defense took huge strides forward last season and returns its leading tacklers and team leader in tackles for loss and sacks. Expect the defense to play well again this fall. If Nebraska wants to improve its win total this fall, the offense wil need to step forward.
The running game needs to find yards without Martinez. Thompson can run, but he is not the plus that Martinez was. Newcomers Anthony Grant and Deondre Jackson should be a formidable one-two punch in the backfield.
If Trey Palmer and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda can add some speed on the perimeter, the offense can take another step in the right direction.