In the offseason, the Huskers prepared to head down the road for the Big Ten. All signs indicate that they knew what lies ahead and that they put in the necessary work to adjust.

MIKE CAPUTO

At 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds, center Mike Caputo is listed at the exact same size as he was in last year's Nebraska football media guide. If there is any major difference, Caputo might appear a little bigger in the upper body.

But the senior said going to the Big Ten didn't call for any major changes to what he does in the middle of the Huskers' offensive line. He's confident he's more than big enough to end the road for onrushing defensive personnel.

Caputo said his offseason training was about the same as before, with the real focus in spring practice and preseason camp placed on learning, installing and fine-tuning Tim Beck's new offense. A heavy load of above-the-shoulders work, if you will.

"We just worry about getting us done, working on our stuff," Caputo said. "And we'll let them adapt to us."

NU might see different personnel in the Big Ten, or maybe a few different schemes, but it's not that much different than preparing for a Pac-12 or WAC or Mountain West team in the nonconference schedule.

"The technique stays the same," he said. "You try to do certain things on certain plays, but the fundamentals stay the same." — Rich Kaipust

KYLER REED

Because he runs so well and is somewhat light for a tight end, Kyler Reed is capable of creating some real problems for opposing defenses.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior realizes those same traits, however, could work against him as NU heads down the interstate into the uncharted territory of the Big Ten.

If NU sees more three-linebacker sets and bigger defensive personnel, Reed at times might have his hands full in the Huskers' run game.

"I'm really trying to work on my blocking," Reed said. "There are going to be a little bigger guys maybe in the Big Ten."

Some of his work is just natural progression as a player. Reed relied on his basic skills to catch 22 passes as a sophomore, including five for 29 yards or longer. But he lacks the size and mentality of his sidekick at tight end, Ben Cotton, who goes 6-6 and 255 pounds.

"Obviously I'm still working on everything else, but blocking for me is the main goal," Reed said. — Rich Kaipust

CAMERON MEREDITH

Nebraska fans didn't witness the full range of defensive end Cameron Meredith's versatility until the 2010 Missouri game, when he and Husker defensive coaches surprised the Tigers with the "spinner package," where Meredith played more as a linebacker than a lineman.

But Meredith knew for several years he would play a variety of roles. Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini told him so before he ever arrived in Lincoln.

Later, as Meredith sat out his redshirt freshman season, Pelini pulled him aside and said: Pay attention to the tackle, nose and spinner jobs on top of your end duties.

That's when he started to get a leg up on the competition, Meredith said.

The results in 2010 were impressive: 64 tackles and 10 quarterback hurries.

What does Meredith hope to do for an encore? Improve his pass rush. Since the end of last season, he's spent a good chunk of time improving his footwork.

Another goal: Be even more versatile. How? By studying the defense in total.

"There's always something you can learn from it," Meredith said. — Sam McKewon

BRANDON KINNIE

Brandon Kinnie already had the wheels, smile and confidence to hit the right note as a headliner among Nebraska's receiver corps in 2010. He led NU in receptions (44) and was second in touchdown catches (five).

But Kinnie added another, arguably more important title this spring and summer: senior leader.

He helped organize team barbecues and bonding sessions. He took his fellow wide receivers to play laser tag or eat wings. Without the guy who used to push him — departed receiver Niles Paul — Kinnie took up the job for himself and everybody else.

NU receivers have been blamed for a lot in recent years, Kinnie said. Especially drops in key games. "I took that to heart," Kinnie said.

So he rallied around a young wide receiver corps that has few catches or games to its name. He didn't give them the business, but he did explain that standards would be high. Kinnie's new position coach, Rich Fisher, instilled the same mantra: Be the reason we win, not the reason we lose.

"They listen," Kinnie said. "They want to be great. They take the criticism. As a leader, you have to do the little things. It's all about respect. Got to care about everyone. They've been growing."

Kinnie didn't have to shave much weight off his 6-foot-3 frame. He was already in good shape. He could play a factor in the kickoff return game, too, although younger guys may take over that role.

One of quarterback Taylor Martinez's closer friends, Kinnie isn't going to be forgotten in this offense. Not that he would be. His vocal leadership wouldn't allow that to happen. — Sam McKewon

LAVONTE DAVID

Lavonte David remembers hearing at times last year that he was weighing somewhere around 210 pounds.

Bogus!

"The first day I got here, I weighed in at 208," David said. But he soon got bigger. "I played the season at 218, 215. I don't know where they're getting that 210 stuff."

David said he's bigger than you might think. Still, bulking up was a priority for the senior linebacker during the offseason — all the better to put the stop on hard-charging Big Ten runners.

The Big Ten offenses use more running backs and tight ends than Nebraska's old opponents in the Big 12. That means more playing chances for linebackers and more violent collisions with big-bodied foes.

David ended the summer at 225 pounds. Lost some body fat, gained more muscle and didn't lose a step.

He ran into former linebackers coach Mike Ekeler during the summer. Ekeler, now at Indiana, was stunned.

"I told (strength) coach (James) Dobson, 'You need to take a before-and-after picture of that kid and retire,'" Ekeler said. — Jon Nyatawa

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