Nebraska Huskers Football: The Case for Heinrich Haarberg

The Cornhuskers might call on their future star quarterback, but could last year's starter be who the Big Red needs to start the season?

Oct 21, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) and tight end Luke Lindenmeyer (44) celebrate after a touchdown by Haarberg against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

The Cornhusker State is nearly ready to once again erupt with cheers as the first Tunnel Walk of the season is just under a month and a half away. As the dog days of summer continue until then, ticking away the time prior to the start of fall camp, Nebraska football still has some work to do in deciding its Aug. 31 starters.

The hype train has entered Lincoln with Dylan Raiola, the five-star signal-caller and son of Husker legend Dominic, set to earn his title as Nebraska savior sooner rather than later. He has earned praise from his head coach on his competitive nature, is the highest-rated freshman quarterback in the EA Sports College Football video game, and has garnered the attention of national media.

However, head coach Matt Rhule has yet to announce who the starting quarterback is for the season opener in Memorial Stadium against UTEP. Rhule has had several opportunities to do so, especially after spring practices concluded with the Red-White Spring Game.

Sep 16, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

The former NFL coach may be hesitant to officially give the keys to the Big Red machine to a true freshman so early because of the experience garnered by a Nebraska native son last season.

Kearney Catholic alum Heinrich Haarberg was not the listed starter entering the 2023 season but was named the top backup to then-starter Jeff Sims. After Sims was injured late in the second game of the year at Colorado, the former Star stepped in and would not relinquish his role until an ankle injury ultimately ended his season prior to the Wisconsin matchup.

Haarberg's time as a regular starter was mixed. While he threw for less than 1,000 yards in nine game appearances for a seven touchdown to seven interception ratio, he led the team in rushing with 483 yards and five scores, showcasing extreme athleticism with a 72-yard scamper against Louisiana Tech. He was also the lone quarterback starter to garner wins, going 5-3 as the primary signal-caller in 2023.

Oct 6, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) smiles with teammates on the bench during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. / Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

However, Haarberg was battered and bruised repeatedly, leading a struggling offense. Primarily being used as an option battering ram, on 120 carries Haarberg would still average 4.0 yards per carry. The Husker offensive line did not assist the Kearney native much as he took 20 of the 30 sacks given up by the Big Red last season.

How does this relate to 2024? According to Rhule, it may be exactly what he is looking for. During his post-Spring Game press conference, Rhule spoke about his quarterbacks, saying he will need all hands on deck:

"You are going to focus on Dylan, I get that. But you can see the improvement on Heinrich. I want the quarterback play to be great. Each guy has to bring their own unique sets of ability. I personally believe it is going to take all of them at the quarterback position to win in the Big Ten."

- Matt Rhule, Nebraska football head coach

Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley and Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule talk before the game at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Rhule has added that he believes it is the "Nebraska way" to slowly integrate a younger quarterback, sharing an example from former Heisman trophy winner Eric Crouch.

"Eric tells me that his entire freshman year, he couldn't sleep Friday nights before the game. They would go to breakfast Saturday mornings before the game, and Coach Gill would tell them who would start the game that day," said Rhule during his April 30 press conference.

If that is how the head ball coach truly feels, would it not make sense to turn to the winning quarterback from a year ago until the young gun is ready to fully turn loose? Or, at least until the returning starter proves he cannot fend off the freshman.

Rhule spoke earlier this year on how he feels about Haarberg's continued development through the spring, especially in his passing downfield. Arguably his best passing game of the season last year was a 20-7 victory against Illinois on the road, where the junior went 12-of-24 for 154 yards and an interception. But yet again, Nebraska won the game.

Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) passes against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Same with a cold-weather game in late October against Purdue. The Huskers won 31-14 in a game Nebraska thoroughly controlled, but Haarberg only went 6-of-11 for 122 yards and was sacked three times but connected for two touchdown passes.

If Haarberg has improved and his running ability is still intact, teams would have to respect a true option quarterback when he is under center. Not to mention, the Kearney native has also experienced playing against an eventual national champion team and played on the road at Michigan State, Illinois and Colorado. That experience can prove invaluable in October and November in new hostile environments at USC and against a likely top-rated Ohio State.

Sep 23, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs for a touchdown against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless, Haarberg is comfortable with whatever his role this season could be. When he spoke in April on former Blackshirts linebacker Will Compton's podcast, the quarterback was happy to see Raiola's commitment to Lincoln.

"Him committing, with all the offers he had and being committed to Georgia and us flipping him, shows how far we have come as a program. It shows how our process is working."

- Heinrich Haarberg on Dylan Raiola

Haarberg's team-first mentality may level more to an experienced locker room - including Nebraska's defense. Considering that he contributed to the team prior to becoming the starting quarterback as a reserve tight end in which he never attended a position meeting, that attitude may prove extraordinary for a team looking to turn the corner.

In the recent two decades of frustration, Nebraska has handed the reins of the offense to freshmen several times with mixed results. Taylor Martinez was a potential Heisman candidate during his first stint, but injuries and turnovers plagued the Big Red in the second half of the 2010 season. In 2013, Tommy Armstrong stepped in for an injured Martinez and pushed Nebraska to a 9-4 finish and a Gator Bowl win over Georgia, including the longest pass in Huskers history.

Oct 29, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 23-17. / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Martinez is the most recent example - mixed with Luke McCaffrey - of spoiling a golden quarterback too early. 2AM was dynamic and ended as Nebraska's all-time leader in offensive yardage, but injuries in the first year seemed to slow his development through the initial season.

Dylan Raiola is a higher rated, more polished quarterback than all the examples listed above. But Heinrich Haarberg has proved that he can win in the Big Ten. The future will come eventually for Nebraska football, but if Haarberg has progressed as much as his coach claims, that time might be paused for at least a few games.

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