NU football notebook, 12/27: Carriker mulls declaring for NFL Draft
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
SAN ANTONIO — Nebraska standout defensive end Adam Carriker said Monday that there exists a slight chance he will skip his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Carriker said he may seek input from an NFL draft advisory committee to gauge his stock.
“I think I might put my name in there like Le Kevin (Smith) did last year to see where I might go,” said Carriker, referring to the Nebraska senior nose tackle. “The chances are probably in the high 90 percent that I’m going to come back.”
However, if Carriker was told on good authority he would be a first-round selection, he apparently would have a difficult decision to make.
“It would make me think if they said I’d be a second- or third-round pick,” he said. “But unless they said ‘first round,’ I’m going to come back and enjoy my senior year. And I don’t think they’re going to say ‘first round.’”
Playing injury-free for the first time in his college career, Carriker this season finished with a team-high 9½ sacks. He also had 19 quarterback hurries, eight more than any other Nebraska defender. He was chosen defensive MVP in a vote of teammates.
Carriker said his parents don’t seem to mind thoughts of him becoming a professional a year before completing his college eligibility.
“I think they’d rather see me come back and graduate next December,” he said.
-- HENNE’S TAKE: Michigan quarterback Chad Henne said he hopes the Wolverines’ offense mirrors a traditional Michigan attack in Wednesday’s Alamo Bowl. “If you’ve watched Michigan tradition, it’s pretty much you run the ball first and pass second,” he said. “If we can get the running game started and rush for at least 100 yards or 150 yards, we should be in the catbird’s seat to win the game. We feel that if we can run the ball, we can open them up for passing yards. We definitely have the receivers and athletes to throw the ball.” Michigan (7-4) has averaged 164.5 rushing yards to rank 38th nationally while averaging 218.4 passing yards to rank 63rd.
-- HART WARNING: Mike Hart, Michigan’s gifted sophomore tailback, appeared on his way toward a repeat of his fabulous freshman season on Sept. 3, when he rushed for 117 yards and had a 34-yard touchdown reception in the Wolverines’ season-opening win against Northern Illinois. He has had only 471 rushing yards since because of hamstring and ankle injuries that limited him to only sporadic performances. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Hart, still nursing a high ankle sprain, apparently is rounding into form. “He’s practiced extremely well, and he’s going to play,” said Michigan offensive coordinator Terry Malone. “He will play on ‘money downs,’ and we need him to play well. He’s a huge part of our offense.”
-- UNDERDOGS: Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor said he isn’t motivated by the fact the Huskers (7-4) are regarded as underdogs to Michigan. In fact, he pays little attention to prognostications. “It’s similar to the Colorado game, I guess,” he said. “We were big underdogs in that game.” The Huskers ended the regular season with a 30-3 triumph over the Buffaloes in Boulder. Regarding the Alamo Bowl, Taylor said, “You don’t need much motivation to play in a game like this or a game like the Colorado game. We’re working hard like we always have. We’re excited to play, and we’re not worrying too much about what the media is expecting out of us.”
-- ROSS’ SPRINGBOARD: Senior I-back Cory Ross retains fond memories of Nebraska’s 2003 appearance in the Alamo Bowl. He established a school single-game record with 37 carries, finishing with 138 yards in a 17-3 victory against Michigan State. “It was an experience I’ll probably never forget,” Ross said Monday. “It really jump-started my career here. It feels kind of good to be back here (in San Antonio), knowing I’m going to end (my college career) here, playing against another Michigan team. I know the guys are happy about being here. We’re ready to go, man.” Husker offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said Ross has been “a really special guy to this coaching staff. He’s played hurt, but he always comes to practice with a smile on his face, ready to roll. He’s a Husker. He loves Nebraska. He loves playing ball. And he gives everything he has to this program. We’re really proud of him and want him to go out with a bang.”
-- TAYLOR’S DISDAIN: Norvell recalled a telling discussion he had with Taylor during Nebraska’s recruitment of the quarterback. Norvell said during the course of their conversation he told Taylor, “Zac, I know what you love about football. Tell me what you hate about it.” Norvell appreciated Taylor’s reply. “He paused for a second and thought,” Norvell recalled. “Then he said, ‘Well, I guess I hate losing.’ That tells you a lot about the guy and what’s important to him. Some guys might say they hate practice or running sprints. Zac’s a winner.”
-- JUST SAY NO: Henne enjoys San Antonio. He enjoys the Riverwalk, a winding string of restaurants, hotels and nightclubs in the downtown district. But he has heeded the advice of quarterbacks coach Scott Loeffler. “He told us not to go to any of the street vendors because a lot of guys got sick,” Henne said, referring to Michigan’s appearance in the 1995 Alamo Bowl.
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