IRVING, Texas — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini confirmed Monday that offensive tackle Jaivorio Burkes won't play this season.
Asked what that meant for Burkes' future, Pelini said: “I don't know, he's just not going to play this year.''
Burkes was sidelined last August because of problems with high blood pressure. He returned in time to play in all 13 games as a sophomore, including four starts.
Burkes then was held out of spring practice for an unspecified medical condition.
Also during his Big 12 media days visit, Pelini said backup linebacker Matt Holt is potentially out for the season with a shoulder injury; backup quarterback Kody Spano is “back to 100 percent” from a spring knee injury; and I-back Quentin Castille worked out some away from the team but has been back.
“He looks good and I think he's ready to go,” Pelini said of Castille.
Expecting deep threat
Nebraska hasn't been a team the last few seasons known to chuck the football down the field very often. I-back Roy Helu said he can see that changing.
“Oh, absolutely,” Helu said. “The deep threat's there a lot more than we did last year.''
Two reasons, according to Helu: The strong arm of quarterback Zac Lee and some newfound speed and explosiveness with receivers such as freshman Antonio Bell, converted I-back Marcus Mendoza and junior-college transfer Brandon Kinnie.
Lee was a popular topic of conversation Monday. Pelini called him very talented and athletic, a leader and a quarterback who can make all the throws.
“I'm excited about what he brings to the table and what he can become as a football player,'' Pelini said.
Tinkering on O-line
NU assistant coach Barney Cotton tinkered with center Jacob Hickman at right guard late in spring practice. So what's that mean when preseason practice starts Aug. 8?
“Going in, I'll be the center,'' Hickman said.
The rest will depend on things like the play of backup center Mike Caputo and the development of Ricky Henry at right guard.
“How it pans out, I don't know,” Hickman said. “It depends on who steps up, who plays what.”
Hickman said somebody to watch is senior Derek Meyer, the Kansas State transfer playing right guard.
“He's really surprised me this summer,” Hickman said. “He's come a long way and he's actually going to be a huge asset for us this year.''
Pair has ‘VIM,' vigor
Helu said he and safety Eric Hagg have attacked this summer with “VIM.''
The junior explained it's from the book Revolution of Character and stands for vision, intention and means.
“We envisioned what type of players we want to be,'' Helu said. “We need to make a choice and intention to do that. And the means is actually going to the stadium and using all the equipment we could to be that type of player.''
One thing for sure, Helu is high on Hagg, who played nickel back last season and is listed with the safeties on this year's roster.
“He's one of the best athletes that I've ever known, him and (cornerback) Prince Amukamara,'' Helu said. “It just so happens that they're coming into their own this year. Both of them are two of my buddies and I can honestly tell you that mentally they're taking it to a whole new level, and I think that'll show on the field.
“But they have a whole bunch of potential ... it's crazy.''
‘Forget Snyder tiff'
Pelini can't seem to escape his 2003 exchange with Bill Snyder, who's returning as head coach at Kansas State.
Pelini was the NU defensive coordinator when he had words for Snyder after a 38-9 loss to K-State in Lincoln. Pelini thought the Wildcats piled it on as Nebraska was getting some senior backups playing time in their last home game.
“That's water under the bridge,'' Pelini said. “That's not something I'm concerned about or Coach Snyder is concerned about. I have a lot of respect for him and that was a mistake I made six years ago — and that's the way it is.''
No predictions
The preseason voting showed Nebraska as a slight favorite over Kansas in the Big 12 North. Does Hickman see it coming down to the Huskers and Jayhawks?
“I make no bold predictions,'' Hickman said, smiling. “I'll say nothing along those lines.''
NU plays at both Kansas and Missouri. A Mizzou beat writer asked Hickman what he thought about playing in Columbia.
“Obviously they are rambunctious fans,'' he said. “I got spit on a couple times the last time we went out there. But that's beside the point. If anything, that encourages you, it makes you angry and makes you want to win more.''
— Rich Kaipust
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