Nebraska’s 2022 draft prospects

Following the completion of the annual spring game, Nebraska’s football program is officially on hiatus.
And that’s no doubt a good thing, giving players a mental break after the COVID-plagued 2020 campaign, leading right into winter conditioning and spring ball.
Because summer is almost here, lots of the college football magazines are coming out with their lists for the 2021 season. Top quarterback lists, top running back lists, freshmen breakout lists, and on and on.
Athlon recently came out with their list of potential Husker players who might get drafted next April, with Aurora’s own Austin Allen being one of them.
No real surprise there, although my top choice would be for him to play two more seasons in Lincoln.
Other players mentioned included junior cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, junior quarterback Adrian Martinez, senior linebacker JoJo Domann and senior kicker Connor Culp.
My first reaction about the list was how short it was. I know, I know, Nebraska is no Alabama when it comes to the NFL Draft. Not these days at least.
After checking the current roster, I was somewhat relieved that Athlon seemed to cherry pick just a bit.
I actually came up with a total of 13 other possible Huskers who, given the right circumstance and perhaps the perfect season, might just hear his name called from Las Vegas, inside the new Allegiant Stadium in about 11 months.
So my possible draft contenders are:
1. Damion Daniels, junior nose guard. If the big guy can improve his stamina and his energy level, there’s not many centers who will be able to handle him. Look for him to push the pocket straight in.
2. Jordan Riley, junior D-line. Jordan certainly has the size (6-6) and weight (330) to cause damage up front. If he reaches his full potential and can make plays, this season could be his last in Lincoln.
3. Deontai Williams, senior safety, honorable mention All-Big Ten. Deontai surprised me and most Husker fans when he decided to spend another year with the Blackshirts. If he can stay healthy and continue to improve, I could see him becoming a fourth round pick.
4. Trent Hixson, junior offensive line. This one’s probably a long shot. He played more in 2019 than in 2020, but hey, how many under-the-radar type guys eventually have lengthy NFL careers? Hixson needs to start dominating defenders once he gets his chance. Lots of pancakes.
5. Pheldarius Payne, junior outside linebacker. Maybe the most intriguing player to watch in the 2021 season after battling injury and COVID this past fall, Payne could be in for a breakout campaign. You put this guy in an Ohio State uniform and he’d fit right in with the Buckeyes. Had six tackles versus Penn State.
6. Will Honas, senior linebacker, honorable mention All-Big Ten. This one is a definite long shot after he suffered what sounds like a serious knee injury at the end of spring. The cousin of former Husker and Husky Todd Honas, Will has had to battle through a couple major injuries as a Husker. If he can come back late in the season, he may stand a good shot at signing a free agent contract. He was Nebraska’s second leading tackler in 2020.
7. Marquel Dismuke, senior safety, honorable mention All-Big Ten. Another Husker who quite possibly could have turned pro, pledging instead to improve his stock for 2022. Marquel needs to continue to do his job, and get a couple interceptions and fumble recoveries along the way.
8. Oliver Martin, junior wide receiver. The transfer from Iowa is now showing off his athletic ability now that he knows the system. If he becomes one of Martinez’s favorite targets, he’ll get noticed. Great speed.
9. Samori Toure, senior wide receiver. The transfer from Idaho certainly has Husker Nation’s full attention after the spring game. He has size and explosiveness, something missing from the wide receiver corp for quite some time. His experience will help lead that group next August.
10. Travis Vokolek, junior tight end. The team’s other junior tight end must become more of a play maker from his position. While his blocking isn’t on par with Austin’s, his pass catching skills certainly are. He just has to take what chances are given to him and go make plays.
11. Omar Manning, junior wide receiver. Over hyped is certainly one phrase that fits Omar so far, but after watching highlights of him in practice, I actually think the sky’s the limit. He can’t afford to have any bad drops next season like he did in the spring game, and once he catches it, he needs to get those valuable yards after contact.
12. Deontre Thomas, junior D-line. He battled injuries and played in only two games in 2020, but he has the perfect size for a pro lineman at 6-3, 295. Can be very disruptive when he’s healthy.
13. Ben Stille, senior D-line, honorable mention All-Big Ten. The big guy from Ashland-Greenwood sat out spring ball to heal up from injuries, so I think he’ll be poised for a big senior year. His motor needs to run hot from start to finish.
To put things into perspective, in the draft that just concluded, Alabama had three players taken out of the first 10 overall picks. Nebraska had three players drafted...in the previous three years.
DAVE BRADLEY can be reached at advertising@hamilton.net.