Nebraska football begins Game 2 of spring ball season matt rule The official start date is March 24th.
In preparation for the long-awaited (and much-needed) return of Husker football, Inside Nebraska has compiled a list of the top 14 most intriguing Huskers to watch during spring ball, leading up to the morning of the first day of practice. Counting down the days.
To be clear, this is not a list of the 14 most important players on the Huskers' roster, nor is it a list of the 14 best players in the Nebraska program. This list is comprised of players who we, and many others, have never seen on the field in a Husker jersey or otherwise, and who we, and many others, may have a better understanding of. These are the players who want to see them play live in order to do so. How do they fit into this version of Nebraska football as athletes and what will his role be in 2024?
Without further rambling, we'll start the list with No. 14: True Freshman Wide Receiver. Kieran Smith.
What can be measured: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds.
class: real new student
position: wide receiver
analysis:
When Nebraska released its latest official online roster and Smith was listed as a wide receiver, it wasn't shocking, but if you've been following his recruitment closely, it definitely caught your attention.
When Smith committed to join the Huskers in May 2023 as the sixth member of his class, his decision was filled with intrigue and excitement. It's not just because of his pedigree — he's the son of former All-American and No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Neil Smith, a Nebraska legend and one of the best pass rushers in program history — and Not just because he came. He's a player from an area (Kansas City) that the Huskers have been desperate to break into recently (particularly in recent years, a lot of talent has been coming from that state).
But it's also because of the simple question: “What position will he play?” Where does he fit in?
These questions were not asked out of concern, but rather out of excitement at the prospect. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he has some potential, which is why he was a priority target for Nebraska and why Smith himself felt it was a good fit.
“I mean, I don't mind[changing positions],” Smith told Inside Nebraska about why he chose the Huskers. “That's why I feel like I'm special. I can play both (offense and defense) and I don't feel like it affects me one way or the other,” Smith said. “I want to play in any position that can help the team win.”
Rival national recruiting analyst Greg Smith (former senior recruiting analyst here at Inside Nebraska) was fully involved in Smith's recruitment and commitment. He detailed why he was so intrigued by the addition of the three-star prospect, who was listed by the Rivals as a tight end prospect in high school.
Greg Smith: “Kielan has a lot of growth potential, both in size and play. Will he stay in Lincoln as a big wide receiver? Versatility, pass-catching tight end? Grow into a defensive lineman like his father? Will he continue? There are a lot of options as to what Smith's future will be at Lincoln, but I'm betting he has a good career.”
