New wide receivers show promise for NU offense

DAILY NEBRASKAN
Wide receiver Brandon Kinnie was ready to grab immediate playing time for Nebraska when he arrived in June. But a starting spot from day one? Menelik Holt wasn't about to give that up.
In Kinnie's first 7-on-7 drills with the team, he joined the huddle with the first team offense, ready to take over the "X" receiver position.
"I had to let him know that wasn't happening," Holt said with a laugh. "He tried to take my spot. I'm not sure what he was thinking."
Though he likely won't be in starting lineup when NU takes the field Saturday against Florida Atlantic, Kinnie could have a chance to make a big impact this season for a receiving group looking to replace two seemingly irreplaceable starters.
The sophomore wideout brings a physical presence to NU's receivers, and at 6-foot-3, Kinnie is also a tall target who isn't afraid of battling for a jump ball.
Kinnie spent two seasons at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kan., before joining NU. He redshirted in his first year with the Greyhounds, then caught 62 passes for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season with the team.
"He's a beast," Fort Scott coach Jeff Sims said. "He's got the ability to be a big-time wide receiver. He can out-jump people, and when we had one-on-one coverage with him, we felt that was to our advantage every time."
Wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore said the departure of senior receivers Nate Swift and Todd Peterson created a need for a receiver who could step up this fall, and Kinnie could be that man.
"We wanted competition, and I expect him to come in, compete and make us a better unit," Gilmore said.
Kinnie earned the respect of his teammates in summer drills with his physical talent and has continued his improvement this fall.
"He's definitely making plays," junior receiver Niles Paul said. "He's a strong, physical receiver, and he's a big guy. He's doing a good job so far."
Kinnie has settled into the "X" receiver spot behind Holt. In order to see playing time, though, he'll have to display a better understanding of the playbook, according to Gilmore.
"He's bogged down a little," Gilmore said. "We're spending extra time with him, and he's trying to get the system. He really hasn't been able to show us what he can do because he's still thinking. Once he gets it, though, we've got something good there."
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said the Juco receiver still has a lot to learn and can't get by on his natural ability alone.
"We just want him to get a feel for us, and he'll earn his way in," Watson said. "He's not ready to be named All-American just yet."
Kinnie has earned comparisons by some to former NU receiver Maurice Purify, another tall junior college transfer who made a quick impact for the Cornhuskers. Gilmore called those comparisons unfair.
"Mo was his own guy, and B.K. is his own guy," Gilmore said. "I don't want to put that burden on him. He's got to be B.K. — whatever that is."
Fellow newcomer Antonio Bell has been living in the shadow of a former Husker, as well.
"He pretty much reminds all of us of Frantz Hardy," Holt said. "We call him Little Frantz. He talks the same, walks the same and wears the same gold chain."
Bell was a member of the program's 2008 recruiting class, but academic complications prevented him from joining the team until January. He participated in spring ball and impressed in his Red-White Spring Game debut with an acrobatic 27-yard catch.
Paul said the 6-foot-2 freshman might be the team's fastest receiver and displayed playmaking ability in fall camp, and he'll also have a chance to earn early playing time at the "Z" receiver spot.
"His speed is something we really need," Holt said. "I think he'll definitely help us out this year."
Because he participated in spring ball, Bell has a leg up on Kinnie in terms of his knowledge of the playbook. Gilmore asked Bell to improve his blocking capabilities at the start of fall and has been pleased by his progress.
"He's getting better on the perimeter blocking, and I've asked him to do some things he's never done in that area," Gilmore said. "He's using his hands and getting off the line of scrimmage. It's a work in progress, but he's a willing soul, and he's working hard."
Bell and Kinnie provide a much-needed influx of speed to NU's receiving corps, and their addition could allow new quarterback Zac Lee to take more chances downfield.
Last year, the Husker offense produced 56 pass plays of 20 yards or more, but only 14 of those passes went for more than 30 yards. Though nearly half of those deep plays were made by Swift and Peterson, Paul believes this year's offense can be even more explosive.
"We have five or six guys who can take the ball deep now," Paul said. "I'm really excited about how it's going to affect the passing playbook.
"We've been doing a lot of deep ball plays this summer and fall, and I can't wait for the season."
maxolson@dailynebraskan.com