LINCOLN — Imagine the future of Nebraska's offensive line: Road-graders Brent Qvale and Andrew Rodriguez start at guard with Jeremiah Sirles entrenched at left tackle.

The other spots, perhaps, are eventually won by 2011 newcomers Tyler Moore and Ryne Reeves or maybe Zach Sterup — all currently dominating high school linemen who have committed to NU.

Not so fast.

There are others who will have something to say about playing time: Cole Pensick, Jesse Coffey, Mike Moudy, Brandon Thompson and current high-schooler Ryan Klachko ...

Besides the obvious depth, there is talent, size, strength — and youth.

Is the NU pipeline on its way back?

Redshirt freshmen Sirles and Qvale joined true freshman Rodriguez in their debuts Saturday during the Huskers' 49-10 win against Western Kentucky.

All three look the part. The others aren't far behind.

“Nothing's going to come overnight,” said Sirles, the new starter at left tackle. “It's going to take a lot of work.”

Qvale and Rodriguez stand out, mainly, because of their size.

Rodriguez, 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, and Qvale, 6-7 and 325 — backing up senior starters Keith Williams and Ricky Henry — are especially massive.

Sirles, 6-6 and 310, fits the profile of the left-tackle spot at which he shares time with 6-7, 320-pound junior newcomer Yoshi Hardrick.

And the Huskers like their attitude, perhaps, more than anything.

“I thought they came off the ball and played real physical at times,” coach Bo Pelini said. “Especially when they knew what they were doing.

“For the first time under the lights, I thought they reacted well.”

By playing Saturday, Rodriguez, the 19-year-old from Aurora, Neb., joined an elite group that includes Will Shields and Toniu Fonoti of true freshman O-linemen to play at Nebraska.

Offensive line coach Barney Cotton said Rodriguez actually played better Saturday than he has practiced.

“I know he had a couple plays where he was tentative and he wasn't sure what he was doing, but he had some nice pass protection, and he came off the ball and he was physical,” Cotton said. “We really like what he brings to the table. He's a physical young guy that likes to play football.”

One well-versed, longtime observer watched from field-level Saturday as the linemen readied for the game, and the question was posed: Why play Rodriguez as a backup this year and forfeit 2014, when he could rate as a legitimate star and fifth-year senior?

Forget 2014, the observer said. He's going to be in the NFL one way or the other.

Rodriguez, though, isn't buying into his own hype.

“I'm a humble guy,” he said. “I don't look at the history of it. I've just got to do what I've got to do.”

Teammates said they saw Rodriguez's intensity and ability to contribute right away in the summer, when the Huskers convened for conditioning drills. When senior Mike Smith went down with a broken leg in early August, Rodriguez moved to take practice repetitions with the first- and second-team units.

“He comes ready to learn,” Sirles said. “Whatever needs to be done, he's doing. That's big when you're young.”

Said Rodriguez, one of the most highly regarded members of NU's 2010 signees: “My mentality was to go 100 percent on everything to show people what I can do. I wanted to prove myself. I was expecting the worst. But whatever they told me, I was ready for it.”

Sirles and Qvale nearly played last year. Qvale, in fact, was ready to go before he suffered a shoulder injury in preseason camp.

“Spring ball was real helpful,” Qvale said. “Now I think I'm right where I want to be.”

Nerves were a factor last week. Rodriguez said his head was “scrambling all over the place.”

Same for the others.

“You get thrown in there and play,” Qvale said. “You go with the game. You just zone in and make your plays. You go off what you've been coached. It's repetitive. Your body knows what to do.”

Next time out, Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against Idaho, they'll feel more prepared.

The march forward continues. Think how it may appear in two or three years, when they are all older and more experienced.

“I think they're all going to be real good,” offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “Real good. It's why I love going to practice every day.”

Contact the writer:

402-444-1031, mitch.sherman@owh.com

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• Video: NU coach Bo Pelini after Thursday's practice:

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