Wideout Gilleylen benefits from redshirt
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
No fewer than five players slapped Curenski Gilleylen on his shoulder pads or backside as he visited with reporters Friday.
Each slap elicited a smile or laugh from Gilleylen, a redshirt freshman wide receiver who’d turned in a solid day on the football field.
“I think I’m starting to have more fun,” Gilleylen said, “instead of just thinking all the time.”
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In addition to throwing a couple of blocks, the 6-foot, 212-pound Gilleylen caught two key passes in a two-minute drill with the No. 1 offense.
That included a touchdown pass from Joe Ganz, one of the Huskers who showed Gilleylen some love after Nebraska’s spring practice.
“I’m one of the young guys, so I kind of have to prove myself,” said Gilleylen, a native of Leander, Texas. “I’ve been progressing. I’m showing the guys that I can be somebody they can count on when it comes time for the season.”
Gilleylen didn’t have that chance last season. He redshirted — not that he was particularly ecstatic about the idea when he arrived in Lincoln before fall camp.
He wanted to contribute. Coaches had other plans.
“It was really discouraging,” Gilleylen said. “I actually doubted myself. I didn’t think I was good enough. I kind of questioned whether I belonged here. I was always used to being the man on top, always being confident. That was something that kind of got taken away from me.”
It didn’t take long for Gilleylen to understand the reasons behind the coaches’ decision. Let’s start with the sheer volume of the offense. Then, the logjam of receivers.
“As the season progressed, I started to appreciate being on the scout team and being able to go against the ones (first team),” Gilleylen said. “That actually helped me a lot. I think I got my confidence up.”
Conclusion?
“Now I’m glad I’m redshirted.”
Receivers coach Ted Gilmore said Gilleylen simply wasn’t ready to play last season. The benefits of redshirting are already beginning to show.
“He’s matured mentally because of that,” Gilmore said, “which is allowing him to compete at the level he’s competing at right now.”
Gilleylen has seen a good share of time with the No. 1 offense. He’s played at each receiver position — beginning the spring at the “Z,” then practicing Zebra, and Friday playing the “X” — as Gilmore is having all his receivers practice at all spots during the spring.
“I want to be a speed receiver, because that’s the thing I know I can bring to the table,” said Gilleylen, noting he also likes to use his strength.
“I’m pretty comfortable in man coverage. I like man coverage. Whenever they want to bump, I feel really comfortable with that.”
Gilmore notes Gilleylen’s thick frame — and the potential.
“We’ve got to get the physical part out of him,” Gilmore said. “It’s in him. He shows it in flashes. I’ve got to get him to do it every play.
“He can get off the line of scrimmage pretty good. He’s got some quick twitch.”
In high school, Gilleylen had 30 receptions for 915 yards his senior season and also played some running back, with around 500 rushing yards. In track, he broke a school record by recording a 10.22-second time in the 100-meter dash.
“He’s got a lot of raw talent. The kid’s an athlete,” senior wide receiver Todd Peterson said.
“The thing we’re really pushing Curenski right now is just for that consistency in his game. I know Coach Gilmore kind of challenged him today to step it up and bring it every play, and he had a good practice.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
