'Taking the reins': Huskers talk locker room leadership

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Nebraska’s delegation at Big Ten Media Days is stressing the importance of leadership.

Head Coach Scott Frost says players taking control of discipline and motivation could contribute to a more winning attitude on the field.

“On the best teams, issues on the team don’t even make it to the coaching staff, they get handled in the locker room. Travis has done a good job, Q has done a good job, Garrett Nelson is probably the best leader we’ve had at Nebraska in a long time,” Frost said.

That’s high praise for Nebraska edge rusher and Scottsbluff native Garrett Nelson. What’s his key to being a good leader?

“Well, he’s a little crazy. He’s just done a good job stepping to the front and taking the reins,” Frost said. “I think he has the respect of all the team so they’re going to listen to him.”

Nelson prides himself on being a team leaders, but he still says it’s nice to hear that affirmation from his head coach.

“It’s awesome to hear… I’m romantic about football and about team. I love those guys to death, I’d do anything for them. I want them to succeed. I always think about 20-30 years down the road when we’re old, we can’t move and our knees don’t work - sitting around a table (talking) about the memories we made here and how we changed our lives,” Nelson said.

Tight End Travis Vokolek also said he’s focused on trying to be a more vocal leader this offseason as the oldest player on the team at 24 years old. He says former Husker Austin Allen has given him great tips on leadership.

"I want to be the best leader I can," Vokolek said. "That's something I really worked on in the offseason was being a more vocal leader. It was uncomfortable for me at first. I'm not a huge vocal guy, but I've kind of gotten out of my shell...I thought it was my duty to do that."