LINCOLN — Zac Lee is sidelined for spring practice, but the Nebraska quarterback has been staying as close to the action as possible and still doing what's allowed.
And offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said that's the way it should be.
“He needs to learn the game mentally, No. 1, and he needs to take advantage of that opportunity to study the game,'' Watson said. “And secondly, he's getting some footwork stuff done, so we can do some things with him physically.''
Lee had surgery in January to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right arm after starting 12 of 14 games last season. Throwing is still a no-no, and he won't be involved in any contact.
Bigger Burkhead maintains speed
Watson said Saturday that I-back Rex Burkhead hasn't lost a step despite putting on 10 pounds since the Holiday Bowl. Watson said it also should help the sophomore hold up better in the Big 12.
“He looks really good,” Watson said. “You can't tell he put on anything. I think he's going to be a lot more durable.
“He's been really impressive in practice so far.”
Burkhead went from 200 to 210 after running for 346 yards in nine games last season. Fellow I-back Dontrayevous Robinson also beefed up from 215 to 235.
Full pads help give a full look
Saturday was the Huskers' first spring practice in full pads. It should help the staff more than the two held with just shorts and helmets, Watson said.
“In shorts it's hard to practice the game of football,” he said. “Now we can practice the physical aspect of it, and because of that you're probably more apt to see the fundamentals that we're trying to teach.
“You get that on film, the effort and the finish, which is big in the culture of our program.”
Although NU is only in its base installation on both sides, Watson said, it is a first opportunity to teach and work more with players who were scout-team member last season.
Make way for more big bodies
Two offensive linemen to watch this spring are Brent Qvale and Jeremiah Sirles after both were close to being used last season as true freshman. Sirles is practicing at tackle and Qvale at guard.
“They're beyond what their year is, and they've got natural talent,” Watson said. “So there's a skill set there, and we've got to develop it.”
Along with junior-college transfer Jermarcus Hardrick and two others coming off redshirts (Nick Ash and Jesse Coffey), there is an infusion of new blood into an offensive line that only lost one starter, center Jacob Hickman.
“We've got a really quality two-deep, and in some places three-deep, and there's a lot of competition,” Watson said. “So that's a good thing. That makes everybody work harder.”
— Rich Kaipust
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