Nebraska Football: Ranking the 10 Best Cornhuskers from the 2014 Season
Nebraska football fans can finally take a breath and look back at the 2014 season, taking stock of who the Cornhuskersโ best players were last year. A coaching change, followed with an out-of-left-field hire, can make fans ready to turn the page pretty quickly to 2015 and the Mike Riley era in Lincoln.
But itโs far too soon for that. As Nebraska prepares for its bowl game against USC, letโs take a look back at who the 10 best players were for NU in 2014.
No. 10: Tommy Armstrong Jr.
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Of all the players on the roster, Armstrong is probably the hardest to rate. His numbers still arenโt fantasticโa 51.7 percent completion rate and a 19-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio are not going to win any conference titles.
But Armstrong also showed his leadership throughout the season, coming back from injury against Michigan State and holding the team together offensively after the injury to Ameer Abdullah. His toughness and intangibles have to be credited, even if his statistical deliverables have fallen short this year.
No. 9: Jordan Westerkamp
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Westerkamp had a number of games where he was simply a non-factor, although much of that was due to the overall struggles of Nebraskaโs offense. But Westerkamp was Nebraskaโs most reliable receiver throughout the season, leading the team in receptions and second in yards per game.
Oh, and he also had a catch that was pretty good.
No. 8: Vincent Valentine
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Nebraskaโs strength in 2014 was certainly its defensive line, and a big part of that was the performance of Valentine. His size (6'3", 320 pounds) makes him a force in the middle, and his development in terms of handing offensive linemen (and therefore freeing up linebackers to make plays) and in making tackles (39 overall) made him a big cog in Nebraskaโs defensive performance.
No. 7: Kenny Bell
4 of 10
When Bell was healthy, he was Nebraskaโs most dangerous downfield threat. His absence was certainly felt in East Lansing, as Nebraskaโs offense evaporated after Bellโs injury removed any deep-play threat. Conversely, Bell put Nebraska on his back in Iowa City, making play after play before catching the game-winner in overtime.
It will be quite a start for Nebraska fans not to see No. 80 lining up on the outside next season (or see the โfro on the sidelines).
No. 6: Nathan Gerry
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Going into the 2014 season, many assumed Nebraska would have a solid performer at safety in Corey Cooper, with Gerry and LeRoy Alexander fighting for the alternate safety spot. Well, it turns out that Nebraska did have a solid performer at safetyโGerry.
After leading the team in interceptions and being second in tackles, an argument could be made that Gerry was Nebraskaโs defensive MVP. At the very least, he is one of the shining lights for the Blackshirts coming into 2015.
No. 5: Maliek Collins
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While Vincent Valentine made steps in the middle of Nebraskaโs defensive line stopping things up, Collins got things going in opposing backfields. Finishing the season second in sacks, Collins became a disruptive force up the middle in the second half of the season. With teams focused on slowing down Nebraskaโs defensive ends (particularly Randy Gregory), Collinsโ ability to get penetration up the middle made a huge difference in NUโs defensive performances.
No. 4: Zaire Anderson
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In general, Nebraskaโs linebackers were a disappointment. While NU has a wealth of young talent at linebacker, that talent never really developed or matured to a point where it could effectively contribute.
The one exception to that rule was Anderson, who led the team in tackles with 95 total. Throughout the season, Anderson made crucial stops and provided a measure of consistency in the middle of Nebraskaโs defense that was sorely needed.
No. 3: Randy Gregory
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It might be a measure of Gregoryโs greatness that it seemed like his season wasnโt the tour de force we had anticipated, even though he led the team in sacks, was third in tackles for loss and sixth in tackles overall.
Gregoryโs speed and length was a disruptive force for Nebraskaโs defense throughout the 2014 season. Assuming Gregory does not return for his senior season, the Blackshirts will have some big shoes to fill next year.
No. 2: DeโMornay Pierson-El
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How many games can a punt returner affect? Against Michigan State, Pierson-Elโs return gave Nebraska a fighting chance after being dominated most of the game. Against Northwestern, the fear of Pierson-El gave Nebraska such good field position that NU was able to wear the Wildcats down. And against Iowa, a game that looked to be slipping away was turned by two long punt returns keying Nebraskaโs comeback.
Pierson-El worked his way into the starting lineup as a wide receiver, although he was curiously absent from the offensive game plans after Ameer Abdullahโs injury. Regardless, though, Nebraskaโs clear breakout star of 2014 should provide fans with a lot to look forward to next season.
No. 1: Ameer Abdullah
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Nebraskaโs season turned on a botched snap early in the game against Purdue. In diving for the loose ball, Abdullah was hurt and was never the same. Nebraskaโs offense never recovered, and its offensive ineptitude helped fuel Wisconsinโs mauling of the Blackshirts, as well as Minnesotaโs bare-knuckle victory in Lincoln.
Contrast that with Nebraskaโs 41-31 win against Miami, where Abdullah ran like a man possessed, notching 229 yards and two touchdowns in NUโs most impressive and complete performance of the season.
Even more than Rex Burkheadโs injury in 2012, Abdullahโs loss at the end of 2014 presents a painful โwhat ifโ moment for Nebraska fans wondering how the season would have transpired with a healthy Abdullah in the backfield.
For a different look at Nebraska football, check outย The Double Extra Point.
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