Devine Ozigbo – Noteworthy
Ryan Held watched Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo rush for 1,082 yards last season on 7.0 per carry. Ozigbo’s improvement was one of the team’s most intriguing stories of 2018. So, Held was taken aback last month when Ozigbo wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where running backs tested this past Friday. “I’ll be honest with you, I was very disappointed,” the second-year Husker running backs coach said Tuesday. “Look at what he did. He rushed for 1,100 yards in the Big Ten, one of the best leagues in the country. I’m not an NFL guy, but I can tell you this: When you look at his skill set — 220-plus pounds and a guy who can run and catch the ball, it’s impressive. “I think there were 28 other running backs who were chosen to go to the combine. I mean, tell me there are 28 better running backs than him in the United States. I just don’t believe it.”
The good news: Ozigbo will have a chance to shine for NFL scouts Thursday during Nebraska’s Pro Day. “He can go out there and prove himself,” Held said. “That’s all the NFL is, is proving people wrong. When there are questions about you, go out and prove people wrong, and and I think he’ll go out there and test well and end up getting a shot somewhere. “Somebody’s going to get a really good player because he’s a great person and he’s already got his degree. I mean, here he is. He’s what you’re looking for as an NFL team, I would think.” – Lincoln Journal Star
Adrian Martinez – Noteworthy
It would be nearly impossible for this offseason’s Heisman Trophy hype to miss Adrian Martinez completely. Of course the Fresno, California, native and sophomore Nebraska quarterback has heard his name mentioned on shortlists and by oddsmakers as among the country’s top candidates for the upcoming fall. “It’s humbling,” Martinez said Tuesday. “Obviously, it’s an award that you grow up knowing about. At the end of the day, that is not my primary focus. My primary focus is getting better each day and helping this team win more games, that’s what matters. Everything else will take care of itself.” Martinez finished his freshman season with more than 3,200 yards of offense and 25 total touchdowns, and finished 12th in the country at 295 offensive yards per game. – Lincoln Journal Star
Devine Ozigbo – Noteworthy
Former Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo was at the Hawks Championship Center on Thursday, one of many former Huskers working out in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams, all vying to have their name called in Nashville this April. The top prospects get invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis. After a 1,000 yard season, Ozigbo was still unable to secure an invite. It incensed his position coach, Ryan Held. “I think there were 28 other running backs who were chosen to go to the combine,” Held said on Wednesday. “I mean, tell me there are 28 better running backs than him in the United States. I just don’t believe it.”
It’s Ozigbo’s dream to get to the League, so it was naturally a letdown he didn’t get to make the trip to Indianapolis. “It was something I definitely wanted,” Ozigbo said. “It was something I couldn’t dwell on. I had to quickly get over it and get ready for today.” Feedback Ozigbo received from his agent and others said that he needed to work on his speed. Ozigbo was unofficially clocked as running a 4.5 second 40 yard dash time Thursday afternoon. “It’s definitely not the number I was striving for, but I gave it my best,” Ozigbo said. – KLIN Newstalk 1400