The Nebraska football wide receiver room has been a topic of discussion for a couple of months now. More and more, we are hearing about certain receivers that flew under the radar last year. Many won’t be flying under the radar again this year. Take Will Nixon for example.
Nixon was able to have a strong spring. He had five catches for 38 yards in the Red-White game and he really showed what he can bring to the table. His work as a possession receiver as well as his ability to run after the catch were evident that day.
In speaking on the Sports Nightly show earlier this week, offensive coordinator Matt Lubick talked about the progression he has seen Nixon be able to make. Nixon was a player whose progress I was personally tracking closely. After rehabbing all of last season, Nixon is appearing to make big strides.
Lubick has been pleased with the progress Nixon has been able to make. As Brian Christopherson of 247Sports notes, Lubick also likes the fact that Nixon was a former running back.
“It was a blow to us and a blow to him, but he worked his tail off to get in a position to play (now). They weren’t sure he was going to be able to do spring ball. Credit to him how hard he worked that he was able to go full go and did a lot of good things,” Lubick said.
He likes that Nixon was a former running back in high school, and they’ve been cross-training him as a guy who could be a runner on occasion too. “We like getting those guys the ball in space, and we can do different things with him as far as moving him in the backfield and splitting him out. So his diversified skill set lets us do a lot with him.”
You heard me talk earlier Thursday about potential depth at the wide receiver position. Nixon is a guy that I really think could be a crucial depth piece. He a receiver that can possess the ball well, and can also run after the catch. Those are two things that have been staples in Nebraska football offenses.
Diversity in talent and playmaking ability will be crucial for a Nebraska football offense looking to turn the corner. Nixon could be a guy that could help the offense get the job done. I will be intrigued to see what his role is moving forward.
