Slimmer Slauson excited for new season
Either it’s the winter conditioning or Jared’s Subway diet that’s gotten to Matt Slauson. The former, probably.
Slauson said Monday he’s recently shed 22 pounds.
The senior offensive lineman was one of five Huskers — Zach Potter, Joe Ganz, Larry Asante and Lydon Murtha were the others — at the Nebraska’s spring football news conference.
During a December with no bowl game to worry about, Slauson said his weight got as high as 350 pounds. “The (new) coaches said, ‘Well, you weigh that now, but you better not weigh this come spring ball.” Slauson’s now a trim 328.
About last season, a year that many projected to be a breakout one for Slauson, he said his struggles were more mental than physical (he came into the season with a dinged shoulder).
“There was definitely a frustration for the team, one, but for me especially,” Slauson said. “Because I kind of feel like I got jacked around a little bit, switching positions all the time, switching playing time all the time, playing a few plays here, a few plays there. I was really frustrated the whole time.
“I had no idea what was going on the whole year. I think (it) just messed with my head a little bit. I don’t know if there were head games they were doing or what, but I just didn’t feel comfortable where I was.”
Slauson said guys often didn’t know who was going to start until 10 minutes before games last season.
This year, he projected the Husker line might look something like this: Jacob Hickman at center; Slauson (right guard), Mike Huff (left guard), Murtha (left tackle), Jaivorio Burkes (right tackle). Keith Williams would also be in the running for a guard spot, with Mike Smith and D.J. Jones contending for tackle spots.
“(Coaches) always say that our offensive line is one of the best they’ve seen talent-wise,” Slauson said. “Now we just need a little direction.”
Slauson also said this year’s offensive line coach, Barney Cotton, has a much different style than Dennis Wagner did last year.
“Cotton’s a guy that can get us to all rally around him and he’s not really a yeller,” Slauson said. “He’ll motivate us in some really productive ways and I’m really excited about it.”
Searching for abs: Husker coach Bo Pelini said players weren’t in the shape he wanted when he took over the job in December, though he thinks part of that was because they had been letting themselves go since NU was playing in a bowl game.
“I think we’re a more athletic team now. I think we’re in better shape,” Pelini said. “I think (winter conditioning has) put us in position to have a good spring and get out of spring what we need to get out of it. Our guys are believing in what’s happening down there.”
Potter, a senior defensive end, has certainly noticed the benefits. He recently found one ab and now is looking for another.
“I joked with my dad that I could actually feel an ab,” Potter said. “You couldn’t see it, but I could feel it.
“I think a lot of guys toned down and got in better shape than they had been in the past.”
Asked if his goal was to get a second ab by the end of spring practice, Potter said: “Why not three?”
Who’s in, who’s out?: Pelini said only two players — Ndamukong Suh and Anthony Blue — will be held out of spring practice because of injury. Running back Kenny Wilson, who missed last season with a broken leg, will be limited at the start of spring drills.
“He’s coming along,” Pelini said. “He has good days and bad. He worked his butt off, and he went through everything in the winter.”
Pelini also said senior running back Cody Glenn, who’s been bothered by foot problems, is “full go” heading into spring.
“He had a good winter. He’s doing well,” Pelini said. “I really like Cody because he’s the kind of guy that will do anything to help the football team.”
Position change, anyone?: Pelini said it’s too early to talk about possible position changes, but said there will likely be some as spring ball progresses.
“We never make anybody move,” Pelini said. “You make somebody move to another position, and their heart isn’t in it, then it’s not good for anybody on the team. It has to be their decision.”
Anybody approached Pelini about wanting a position change?
“No, but I’ve joked around with a couple of guys, and they said they’re open to it.”
Christensen’s status: Andy Christensen’s name was not among the 97 listed on Nebraska’s spring roster.
Pelini said the offensive lineman’s status remains the same — indefinitely suspended because of a March 8 arrest on suspicion of sexual assault.
Doing a 180: Just a few months ago, negativity swirled around the program. Now, Slauson can’t help but notice the optimism of fans. He’s certainly not minding it.
“As a player you’re always optimistic for the next year. You’re always hoping you’re going to do great, you’re always expecting to do great,” Slauson said. “But to see the whole state of Nebraska doing it, even going out of state and seeing fans out of state. Everybody knows that Pelini is back and things are going to change.
“It’s a real weird phenomenon to see ... to have a full state behind you (after) the frustrations of last year, and then having them just pull a 180 and say, ‘Whatever, it’s all done. We have Pelini now.
Slauson said Monday he’s recently shed 22 pounds.
The senior offensive lineman was one of five Huskers — Zach Potter, Joe Ganz, Larry Asante and Lydon Murtha were the others — at the Nebraska’s spring football news conference.
During a December with no bowl game to worry about, Slauson said his weight got as high as 350 pounds. “The (new) coaches said, ‘Well, you weigh that now, but you better not weigh this come spring ball.” Slauson’s now a trim 328.
About last season, a year that many projected to be a breakout one for Slauson, he said his struggles were more mental than physical (he came into the season with a dinged shoulder).
“There was definitely a frustration for the team, one, but for me especially,” Slauson said. “Because I kind of feel like I got jacked around a little bit, switching positions all the time, switching playing time all the time, playing a few plays here, a few plays there. I was really frustrated the whole time.
“I had no idea what was going on the whole year. I think (it) just messed with my head a little bit. I don’t know if there were head games they were doing or what, but I just didn’t feel comfortable where I was.”
Slauson said guys often didn’t know who was going to start until 10 minutes before games last season.
This year, he projected the Husker line might look something like this: Jacob Hickman at center; Slauson (right guard), Mike Huff (left guard), Murtha (left tackle), Jaivorio Burkes (right tackle). Keith Williams would also be in the running for a guard spot, with Mike Smith and D.J. Jones contending for tackle spots.
“(Coaches) always say that our offensive line is one of the best they’ve seen talent-wise,” Slauson said. “Now we just need a little direction.”
Slauson also said this year’s offensive line coach, Barney Cotton, has a much different style than Dennis Wagner did last year.
“Cotton’s a guy that can get us to all rally around him and he’s not really a yeller,” Slauson said. “He’ll motivate us in some really productive ways and I’m really excited about it.”
Searching for abs: Husker coach Bo Pelini said players weren’t in the shape he wanted when he took over the job in December, though he thinks part of that was because they had been letting themselves go since NU was playing in a bowl game.
“I think we’re a more athletic team now. I think we’re in better shape,” Pelini said. “I think (winter conditioning has) put us in position to have a good spring and get out of spring what we need to get out of it. Our guys are believing in what’s happening down there.”
Potter, a senior defensive end, has certainly noticed the benefits. He recently found one ab and now is looking for another.
“I joked with my dad that I could actually feel an ab,” Potter said. “You couldn’t see it, but I could feel it.
“I think a lot of guys toned down and got in better shape than they had been in the past.”
Asked if his goal was to get a second ab by the end of spring practice, Potter said: “Why not three?”
Who’s in, who’s out?: Pelini said only two players — Ndamukong Suh and Anthony Blue — will be held out of spring practice because of injury. Running back Kenny Wilson, who missed last season with a broken leg, will be limited at the start of spring drills.
“He’s coming along,” Pelini said. “He has good days and bad. He worked his butt off, and he went through everything in the winter.”
Pelini also said senior running back Cody Glenn, who’s been bothered by foot problems, is “full go” heading into spring.
“He had a good winter. He’s doing well,” Pelini said. “I really like Cody because he’s the kind of guy that will do anything to help the football team.”
Position change, anyone?: Pelini said it’s too early to talk about possible position changes, but said there will likely be some as spring ball progresses.
“We never make anybody move,” Pelini said. “You make somebody move to another position, and their heart isn’t in it, then it’s not good for anybody on the team. It has to be their decision.”
Anybody approached Pelini about wanting a position change?
“No, but I’ve joked around with a couple of guys, and they said they’re open to it.”
Christensen’s status: Andy Christensen’s name was not among the 97 listed on Nebraska’s spring roster.
Pelini said the offensive lineman’s status remains the same — indefinitely suspended because of a March 8 arrest on suspicion of sexual assault.
Doing a 180: Just a few months ago, negativity swirled around the program. Now, Slauson can’t help but notice the optimism of fans. He’s certainly not minding it.
“As a player you’re always optimistic for the next year. You’re always hoping you’re going to do great, you’re always expecting to do great,” Slauson said. “But to see the whole state of Nebraska doing it, even going out of state and seeing fans out of state. Everybody knows that Pelini is back and things are going to change.
“It’s a real weird phenomenon to see ... to have a full state behind you (after) the frustrations of last year, and then having them just pull a 180 and say, ‘Whatever, it’s all done. We have Pelini now.
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