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Paying Scott Frost $20 million before he got off the plane remains — for now, anyway — a sunk cost for Nebraska, but the other target of tired Huskers fans has 5 free backups waiting in the wings.
After an eerily familiar season-opening loss at Illinois, fans had seen enough of Frost. But starting quarterback Adrian Martinez was not saved from scorn, either. Huskers fans want more in Year 4.
With Fordham and Buffalo the next 2 weeks, what better time to try out a future star at QB before the big game at Oklahoma?
Let’s meet the contestants.
Logan Smothers
The number: 8
The measurements: 6-2, 195
The bio: Smothers was a star high school quarterback in Alabama for 4 years. Smothers played his senior season at Muscle Shoals High School after his father became the offensive coordinator. His first 3 seasons were played at Athens High School. Smothers helped his team to a 12-1 record by passing for more than 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushing for more than 800 yards and 13 scores. Smothers also ran track.
The highlights: Via Hudl
The status: 4-star
The irrelevant intangible: Who better to inspire the Blackshirts watching the offense on the sidelines than a man from Muscle Shoals named Smothers?
Spencer Arceneaux
The number: 9
The measurements: 6-1, 180
The bio: Arceneaux joined the Nebraska program as a walk-on from McGill Toolen High School in Mobile, Alabama. Arceneaux was ranked among the top 100 players in the state of Alabama and chose Nebraska over UAB and Kansas. Arceneaux had a 7-3 record at McGill Toolen in 2020 and went 11-1 as a junior.
The highlights: Via MaxPreps
The status: 3-star
The irrelevant intangible: Hayley Arceneaux (no relation) is a bone cancer survivor who will be an astronaut on SpaceX’s first private spaceflight. She doesn’t have to be the only Arceneaux to ride a rocket ship to stardom.
Heinrich Haarberg
The number: 10
The measurements: 6-5, 200
The bio: A 3-year starter for Kearney Catholic High School, Haarberg was a 2020 Sports Illustrated All-America candidate. As a senior, Haarberg completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,857 yards and 19 touchdowns, according to the Kearney Hub. He added 556 rushing yards, scoring 10 touchdowns on the ground and averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He had more than a dozen scholarship offers and chose Nebraska over Boston College.
The highlights: Via Hudl
The status: 3-star
The irrelevant intangible: Haarberg was the first in-state scholarship quarterback to sign with Nebraska since 2001. That alone is worth a start or two. But there’s more: His father, Rod, was a walk-on fullback at Nebraska in the early 1990s. Those are magic words.
Jarrett Synek
The number: 16
The measurements: 6-0, 190
The bio: Synek was a prolific passer for Hastings High School, finishing his career with 5,622 passing yards and 65 touchdowns. He averaged 181.4 passing yards per game and went 339-for-598 through the air, completing nearly 57 percent of his passes. On the ground, Synek had 201 carries for 919 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The highlights: Via 1011 News
The status: Walk-on
The irrelevant intangible: Synek’s pinned tweet is “go with the flow.” You can interpret it as him patiently waiting his turn — or just showing off the long hair many backup quarterbacks have used to their advantage over time. Every fan’s favorite player is the backup quarterback.
Matt Masker
The number: 18
The measurements: 6-2, 220
The bio: Masker helped Kearney Catholic High School to 3 Class C-1 playoff appearances, including semifinal berths in 2014 and 2016. A 2-time all-state selection, Masker threw for more than 7,000 yards with a 63.4 percent completion rate and 86 touchdowns. He mentored Heinrich Haaarberg in high school and now college.
The highlights: Via Elite Sports
The status: Walk-on
The irrelevant intangible: Come on, his name is Masker during a pandemic with college athletes now allowed to make money. Masker was made for this moment. He could be a walking PSA and the masked man who returns Nebraska to prominence.
The time is now, Huskers fans. You want change. Choose your fighter.