Latest news with #NicoOttomanelli
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska football closing in on naming a starting kicker for season opener
As the opening of Nebraska's 2025 college football season fast approaches, there are still several important questions to answer about the team. One of those questions is 'who will be the starting kicker on August 28?' The Huskers experienced turnover at the kicker position, which was impacted by the transfer portal. Nico Ottomanelli transferred to Sam Houston State, while Kyle Cunanan transferred into the program from the California Golden Bears. Cunanan is a touchback specialist. He tallied 21 touchbacks in 2023 and one touchback in 2024. He had 51 kickoffs with 22 touchbacks in total. The transfer is competing against sophomores John Hohl and Tristan Alvano. Last season, Hohl went 10-of-15 on field goals and 23-of-25 on extra points. Alvano only appeared in three games in 2024 due to injury and finished 3-of-4 on field goals and 12-of-12 on extra points. Special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler met with the media earlier this week and provided details on the training camp battle. 'I'll just say this, at the end of next week, we'll name a guy and we'll roll. We got a close battle right now. They've all done some nice things, and we're gonna need all three of them. It's not where you start, it's where you finish." Nebraska will open the 2025 college football season on Thursday, August 28, when the Huskers face the Cincinnati Bearcats at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. CT. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Nebraska kicker transfers to Sam Houston State for 2025 season
Former Nebraska kicker transfers to Sam Houston State for 2025 season A former Nebraska kicker has found his new home. Nico Ottomanelli will kick for Sam Houston State in 2025. Ottomanelli was a member of the Huskers' 2024 recruiting class. He was ranked as the No. 1 kicker in the state of New Jersey that year, playing for Northern Valley Regional High School. He was 14-of-17 on field goals in his prep career. As a senior, he was 6-of-8 field goals with 48 extra points. In his junior season, Ottomanelli was 4-of-5 on field goals with a long of 46 yards. The New Jersey native was a redshirt this past season and did not appear in a game. The Huskers are now left with two kickers on their roster. Sophomores Tristan Alvano and John Hohl will battle for the starting job this fall. Nebraska struggled last season in kicking, with Hohl and Alvano finishing 13-of-19 field goals. Ottomanelli will have four years of eligibility remaining. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska kicker enters transfer portal
Nebraska kicker enters transfer portal A Nebraska kicker has departed the program. Nico Ottomanelli officially entered the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining. Ottomanelli was a member of the Huskers' 2024 recruiting class. He was ranked as the No. 1 kicker in the state of New Jersey that year, playing for Northern Valley Regional High School. He was 14-of-17 on field goals in his prep career. As a senior, he was 6-of-8 field goals with 48 extra points. In his junior season, Ottomanelli was 4-of-5 on field goals with a long of 46 yards. "I would first like to thank God for allowing me to play the game that I love. I would also like to thank Coach Rhule, Coach Foley, Coach Martin, and Brett Maher for giving me an opportunity to be part of Nebraska Football. I am grateful for all my memories, teammates, and coaches that I have come across throughout my time here. With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility left." The New Jersey native was a redshirt this past season and did not appear in a game. The Huskers are now left with two kickers on their roster. Sophomores Tristan Alvano and John Hohl will battle for the starting job this fall. The Huskers struggled last season in kicking, with Hohl and Alvano finishing 13-of-19 field goals. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
