Nebraska linebackers coach Barrett Ruud named a true freshman he could see earn legitimate playing time for the Huskers in 2022.

Ruud said freshman linebacker Ernest Hausmann has impressed him in spring practice.

“He’s been what we expected and what we anticipated,” Ruud said via Lincoln Journal Star. “The fact he got here early and got the spring ball in is going to be huge for him possibly having an opportunity to play and contribute real minutes in the fall.”

Hausmann is behind veteran linebackers Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich, the 2 of which totaled at or near 100 tackles on the season. However, Reimer has been nursing an injury throughout spring practice.