Nebraska football: 3 Fordham Rams players to watch

Aug 28, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) tries to elude Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) tries to elude Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: A helmet of the Nebraska Cornhuskers rests on the sideline during a game against the University of Tennessee Volunteers during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: A helmet of the Nebraska Cornhuskers rests on the sideline during a game against the University of Tennessee Volunteers during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Nebraska football’s secondary will need to keep an eye on Fotis Kokosioulis

Fordham does a really good job of spreading the ball around to its receivers, but leading the way for their receiving efforts this past spring was Fotis Kokosioulis. He was formerly at Northern Illinois, but Kokosioulis made his way to Fordham and is primed to have a breakthrough season for the Rams.

He’s not a huge receiver, weighing in at 5-9 and 180 pounds, but Kokosioulis does have plenty of experience and showcased some serious potential earlier this year.

In the three games Fordham played back in the spring, Kokosioulis shined. He caught 20 passes (a team high) for 278 yards (also a team high) and a touchdown. Kokosioulis averaged 13.9 yards per reception and 92.7 receiving yards per game.

In 2019, Kokosioulis caught 49 passes for 621 yards and seven touchdowns. It would not be shocking at all to see the Rams attempt to get the ball to Kokosioulis early and often. Given how much of a consistent playmaker he’s been for Fordham, he’s someone Nebraska must account for on every single play.

The Nebraska football team can’t afford to let Fordham’s leading receiver take advantage of the Huskers’ secondary. If Frost and company are going to bounce back from that disappointing loss in week zero (and win a game they’re supposed to win with ease), they’ll need to keep Kokosioulis locked down.

Otherwise, with Carter being another dangerous receiving threat alongside Kokosioulis, things could get frustrating in a hurry for Frost and his team.