Over the course of the past couple days, Nebraska football head coach Scott Frost gave an update on several aspects of his team. One of the updates was regarding the health of running back Markese Stepp. In speaking to the media this week, he gave an update about how the running back was progressing to this point.
Let me just say that first of all, I would consider what Frost had to say a good prognosis. Anytime you see an injury to a key player, it always makes you worried. With Stepp, Nebraska is probably going to use him as a main source of production for the running game. The program needs him to be healthy for the start of fall camp, and it is looking like he will be.
As Frost noted, Stepp has been staying aware of his weight, and in shape. The head man noted that the running back has been training with the team, and that he may be limited in terms of how many snaps he takes as the team looks to work him in.
“He’s been training with the team, (but) not quite full speed yet,” Husker coach Scott Frost said Thursday. “He’s definitely putting work in. I expect him to be close to 100% by the time we start fall camp. He might be on a pitch count early, but he’ll be ready to go.”
I’m hoping that by the halfway point of the season, he will be ready to play at full speed with no limitations. If I’m Nebraska football, I obviously don’t want to rush him. However, depending where they are in the standings, the program may need him. The program also has younger running backs available that could take snaps if needed. There is depth at the position, and it sounds like Frost himself is very confident about how the position shakes out.
“Our running back spot is not a question mark — that’s the wrong way to put it,” Frost said. “We’ve got a lot of talented kids, and I want to see it be a cutthroat competition.
“Those guys are going to have to take advantage of every carry. We’ll have to figure out the top guy and the No. 2 guy, and figure out which guys will be the main ball carriers for us.”
I am curious to see how it shakes out as well. Nebraska football is going to have to have a more balanced offense this year. Failure to produce one may be troublesome, especially with the quality of opponents Nebraska faces.
