Big Ten Daily: Nebraska Freshman Tight End Out With Knee Injury

Nebraska recruit Thomas Fidone was the No. 1 tight end recruit in the class of 2021 this season. Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost said Wednesday that Fidone suffered a non-contact knee injury and is scheduled to have surgery.

Author:
D.J. Fezler
Publish date:
Apr 29, 2021 10:18 AM EDT

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nebraska suffered their first known major injury of the spring this past week. Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost confirmed on Wednesday that true freshman tight end Thomas Fidone suffered a knee injury that will keep him out for an extended period of time.

Frost said he suffered a non-contact injury and he will have surgery on Thursday.

"The best chance would be to get him back in the middle of the season and play some games down the stretch," Frost said.

Fidone, who was ranked as the nation's No. 1 tight end in the class of 2021 had been working behind juniors Austin Allen and Travis Vokolek this spring

It's unknown what type of role he was going to have with the Big Red this season, but there's still a chance he could potentially return later in the year and take advantage of the NCAA's four-game redshirt rule.

Wednesday was the Huskers' final spring practice before Saturday's Red-White spring game, where up to 40,000 fans are expected to be in attendance.

Husker fans naturally wonder about true freshman tight end Thomas Fidone's progress as the team moves into the very late stages of spring practice. After all, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Fidone was the nation's top tight end recruit in the class of 2021 by both Rivals and 247Sports.

Tight ends coach Greg Beckton said Fidone, a top-40 national recruit overall, is starting to understand the necessary techniques and how to practice on the college level. Fidone is a physical player, Beckton said, but he had to work on footwork and hand placement and those sorts of important details.

"This was his best day, by far," Beckton said. "So I'm really, really proud of him. We just have to continue to press him. He's going to help this football team this year."

The coach added, "I walked with him coming off the field and told him how proud I was of him."

Indiana QB Penix on schedule for opener

After tearing his ACL in November against Maryland last season, Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is going through rehab to prepare for the Hoosiers' season opener on Sept. 4 against Iowa.

"Mike's doing great. He's recovering and rehabbing, and he's doing a real good job,'' Indiana offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said Wednesday when he met with the media. "I feel comfortable with where he's at, and I think he feels the same way.''

Last season, Penix led the Hoosiers to a 5-1 record which including a miraculous home win over Penn State to start the season. But on a routine play against the Terrapins, he tore the ACL in his right knee. It marked the third straight year Penix couldn't finish the season due to an injury.

It's an important offseason for Indiana, and Penix can have no setbacks if the team looks to return as one of the best in the country.

To read the full article on our Sports Illustrated Indiana site, click here.

Michigan State loses another QB

So far this offseason, a staggering number of players have entered the transfer portal from Michigan State. The Spartans already lost quarterback Rocky Lombardi to Northern Illinois and now, redshirt junior Theo Day has put his name in the portal as well.

Day is a 6-foot-5, 220-pound quarterback who has appeared in two games for Michigan State. He completed two passes for 12 yards in 2019 against Penn State.

The Spartans went 2-5 last season under first-year coach Mel Tucker, who was hired during the coronavirus pandemic to replace Mark Dantonio. Now, Michigan State has seen 26 different players shop around via the transfer portal.

To read the full article on our Sports Illustrated Michigan State site, click here.

Former Ohio State guard D.J. Carton turning pro

Marquette announced Wednesday that sophomore point guard D.J. Carton will hire an agent and enter the 2021 NBA Draft. He is effectively ending his college eligibility after one season with the Golden Eagles.

Carton transferred to Maquette after one season with Ohio State. He averaged 13 points, 3.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game.

He was practicing with other players in recent weeks and seemed ready to play for Marquette's new coach Shaka Smart. On a trip to visit players and their families, Smart visited with Carton's family in Davenport, Iowa.

Marquette freshman forward Dawson Garcia also entered his name into the NBA draft, but he decided to maintain his college eligibility. The 6-foot-11 player was heavily sought after out of Prior Lake, Minnesota. He received numerous offers and took official visits to Indiana, Marquette, Memphis and Minnesota.

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