Practice report: Mark Whipple says he's seen Nebraska's offense 'take a step forward' – Omaha World-Herald

LINCOLN — Nebraska quarterbacks impressed Mark Whipple in the offseason. A week into fall camp, nothing has changed.

NU’s new offensive coordinator could actually work more with his QBs in recent months than he was allowed to as a coach at the NFL level. He’s seen them grow more confident in what they’re doing. Guys aren’t looking around for guidance. When somebody makes a misstep, everyone else quickly recognizes it.

“They had a really good summer just kind of going over the things they can see themselves in the throw game and in the run game (and) the mistakes they made,” Whipple said Monday. “I’ve seen the offense take a step forward.”

The right thumb of Casey Thompson — which had him on a pitch count of sorts into the summer — is “much better,” Whipple said. The Texas transfer and lead starting candidate can make all the throws but his biggest strides of late have come in how quickly he can move through his receiver progressions.

Chubba Purdy has also consistently made his throws, Whipple said, while Heinrich Haarberg enjoyed his best two days this week. Freshman Richard Torres may have the strongest arm of the bunch.

Meanwhile, other offensive players who missed some or all of spring ball with injuries have recovered with a vengeance, Whipple said. Receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda is one. Running back Gabe Ervin has “made a big push” bouncing back from a torn ACL last fall. Offensive linemen Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka and tight ends Travis Vokolek and Chancellor Brewington are part of that group too.