Nebraska players run sprints during a spring football practice at Hawks Championship Center on April 7.
Steven M. Sipple and Parker Gabriel put a bow on spring football, recap head coach Scott Frost's most recent comments and the action from Saturday's Red-White Spring Game. They also talk about the talent level on the roster, the groundbreaking on NU's new football facility and get a few words in on baseball and women's golfer Kate Smith's impressive spring, as well.
If the Division I Football Oversight Committee’s proposed changes to preseason camp practices are approved later this month, the ramp-up to college football season will include considerably less physicality.
The recommendations, made Thursday, include reducing the number of full-pads days of practice to nine, reducing the number of contact practices from 21 to 18 and requiring at least seven helmet-only days.
Part of that is increasing the acclimatization period at the start of camp to seven days from five. Currently, teams go two days in helmets, two days in shoulder pads and then full contact. The new format would likely mean three days on each step rather than two.
The recommendations also include allowing no more than two straight full-contact practices, no more than 75 minutes of full contact in any single practice and no more than two scrimmages during camp.
In announcing the proposal, the NCAA said the recommendations, "informed by a number of data points that suggest the preseason practice period may lead to a disproportionate amount of concussions and head impact exposure."
During an hourlong appearance on the “Sports Nightly” radio program Thursday evening, coach Scott Frost weighed in on the proposed changes.
“Safety of our players has got to be the primary concern and everybody’s priority. That being said, I hate to think we’re following the NFL at every step,” Frost said. “I played college football and was lucky enough to hang on in the NFL for a while. When you’re up at the NFL level, a lot of those guys don’t need as much practice blocking and tackling and hitting. College is kind of where you learn it. Learning it helps you be better and helps you be safer.
“So I hope we’re able to find a happy medium and not reduce it so much that we’re not getting guys ready for games and ready for contact.”
Even so, Frost said he is all for changes that can help keep players healthy, as long as the rules don’t go too far.
“The flip side of that is we certainly want to reduce injuries and help the entire team stay healthy through camp,” he said. “Hopefully we can find a place to land where we feel like we can get guys educated and taught how to do things the right way without grinding on them too much.
Utah athletic director Mark Harlan, who led the effort to come up with the new recommendations, said in a release that he thinks the recommendations strike that balance.
“The challenge in creating this model was to balance the need for a reduction in contact with preparing student-athletes properly to play a football season,” Harlan said in a statement. “The framework achieves this and allows coaches appropriate freedom and flexibility.”
Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos recently told the Journal Star that he thinks there's a fine line to walk and perhaps the NCAA's recommendations go too far.
“What the NCAA is talking about is totally to protect the players, and I can agree with some of that because these guys are bigger, stronger, faster and there are still programs that are going to turn them loose,” he said. “Now, having said that, you get into the season and you’re playing games, and guys aren’t tackling well these days.
“If you want to play good golf and you go out and play three holes a week and don’t practice on the range, you’re going to struggle. Sports is about repetition. Tackling is an art. Blocking is an art. And just running up there three-quarters speed and hugging some guy, that ain’t gonna get it done on Saturdays when the action is live.”
The proposal keeps the overall structure of camp — a maximum of 25 practices over 29 days before a team’s first game — the same.
The Division I Council is set to consider the recommendations on May 19.
Photos: All of the sights from the return of the Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) attracts a quartet of defenders in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws under pressure in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Two people wait for tickets before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans walk around Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Aimire Rodgers, 8, stands in front of the Legacy Statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Kash Boggs (right) throws to his grandparents as Drew Milligan climbs on to the Legacy Statue for a picture before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Victor Ortiz (left) helps Kim Bergmark find her tickets on her phone before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Tristan Minderman, Omaha, throws the ball on the east side of the Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Caden Haar (left) and Ryan Whiston, both of Lincoln, pose at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Xander Wilson, of Lincoln, poses at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run on to the field to a sea of fans for the first time in the COVID-19 era before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) runs in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team's Omar Manning (right) is defended by White Team's Phalen Sanford (37) in the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team's Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles during the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Omar Manning (right) anticipates a pass from Adrian Martinez as he's defended by the White Team's Isaiah Harris (37) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks behind the Red Team during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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The White Team's Wyatt Liewer (85) catches a first-down pass in front of the Red Team's Mason Nieman to set up a game-tying touchdown by Liewer moments later on Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) signals for one more play as time runs out in the fourth quarter Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans are scattered throughout the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers scrimmage in the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers hosts a team scrimmage during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Samori Toure (6) is tackled by the White Team's Noa Pola-Gates during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (second left) gets sacked by the White Team's Jake Archer in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Ty Hahn catches a pass in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Darius Moore (left) intercepts a pass intended for the White Team's Will Nixon in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team kicker Chase Contreraz (right) kicks an extra point in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Brody Belt rushes for a fourth-quarter touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Zach Weinmaster (31) tries to avoid the tackle of the White Team's John Bullock (84) in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run onto the field before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks down after the White Team intercepts the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Cameron Jurgens (left) and Riley Moses get into position during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) speaks to quarterback Adrian Martinez before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Marvin Scott (left) runs the ball as the White Team's Isaac Gifford goes in for the tackle during the Red-White Spring Game last week at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held walks down the White Team's sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans chant "Go Big Red" moments the players take the field at the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A Nebraska fan celebrates with others after catching a hot dog fired from a cannon during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Gabe Ervin narrowly avoids being tackled by the White's John Bullock in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Tyson Guzman (left) is pushed back by the White Team's Trevin Luben in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander looks up at the scoreboard in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez scrambles around looking for an open receiver in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) scrambles away from David Alston as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team's Gabe Ervin (left) protects the ball as he rushes against Damian Jackson (38) in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team's Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section stands for the national anthem during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers as the Huskers make their way onto the field for the Tunnel Walk before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Samori Toure (6) jumps over the White Team's Noa Pola-Gates (bottom) in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Travis Vokolek (83) fends off the tackle of Jackson Hannah in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) runs the ball as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco watches the Red Team warm up before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska director of high school relations Kenny Wilhite pulls up his mask before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) smiles at offensive line coach Greg Austin after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (bottom center) runs the ball while pursued by the White Team's Zach Schlager (right) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A referee watches the action during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (far left) is sacked by the White Team's Jake Archer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Beau Psencik (center) is tackled by the White Team's John Bullock (top) and Lane McCallum in the second half during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin protects the ball as he's confronted by the White Team's Braxton Clark during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (right) speaks with wide receiver Omar Manning as they exit the field at halftime during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Marvin Scott III (second right) is swallowed up by White Team defenders Jackson Hannah (first right) and Isaac Gifford (right) as teammate Austin Allen (left) looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (center) jumps in an attempt to avoid a tackle from the Red Team's Ashton Hausmann (29) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Young Husker fans bide their time while waiting for the Nebraska football team to begin play during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (center left) and Heinrich Haarberg (center right) walk along the sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is tagged down by the White Team's Blaise Gunnerson (24) and pursued by Jimari Butler (17) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team's Gabe Ervin (center) is pushed by teammates as he attempts to carry the ball for a few extra yards during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (center), playing for the Red Team, tries to elude by the White Team's Braxton Clark (left) and Myles Farmer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fans watch football from Memorial Stadium seats for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Adrian Martinez (2) throws a pass as Huskers' head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Gabe Heins (right) attempts a field goal in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Matt Masker (18) throws the ball as Huskers' head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) looks for an open receiver as Huskers' head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Offensive linemen Keegan Manning (71) and Noah Stafursky (62) take on Jamin Graham (89) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Gabe Ervin Jr. (bottom) gets tackled in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin (22) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) takes off on a run during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
John Bullock (right) attempts to strip the ball from Oliver Martin during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches the action on the field during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Isaiah Harris (37) runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (left) and Tony Tuioti watch the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Travis Fisher (right) talks to cornerback Braxton Clark (11) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
John Goodwin (46) defends Blaise Gunnerson (24) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (right) talks to linebacker Blaise Gunnerson (24) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Logan Smothers (8) runs the ball past Nash Hutmacher (72) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
May 08, 2021 at 12:02AM
https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/life-in-the-red/life-in-the-red-frost-talks-proposed-changes-to-preseason-camp-that-limit-contact/article_e09abe0b-28d5-5e06-8b58-02bb88c40570.html
Life in the Red: Frost talks proposed changes to preseason camp that limit contact - HuskerExtra.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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