Luke Mullin – Sept 12, 2024 – Lincoln Journal Star

Every day in practice, the Nebraska defense goes up against a quarterback who knows how to win.

Senior Jalyn Gramstad, a former NAIA All-American, has led the scout team in practice simulating opposing offenses for the Husker defense. While Kenneth Williams and Roman Mangini simulated Colorado’s electric pass-catchers, it was Gramstad’s skill in operating the offense that made it all work.

“We have unbelievable skill on our offensive scout teams, but now you have a quarterback who can make things happen, it really takes it to the next level,” head coach Matt Rhule said.

Being the scout team quarterback comes with different responsibilities than being a starter and leading the offense week-in and week-out as Gramstad previously did, but the senior has embraced his new role.

“If we’re just out there messing around or if receivers aren’t running hard routes and the O-line’s not working all their techniques, then the defense is not getting a great look,” Gramstad said on “Chasing 3,” Nebraska’s video series. “We’re hoping that the (scout team) is going to be better than the offense that our defense will go against.”

Gramstad, according to Rhule, is someone he hopes to hire on his staff as a coach one day. But before then, Gramstad still has a big impact to make on the 2024 Nebraska football team — both on the practice field and if his number is called in game.

“I believe he could go in, and I believe Jalyn Gramstad could move our team and score; I believe that with all my heart,” Rhule said. “… He’s a guy with juice; the players respond to him. I really like quarterbacks who have ‘it’ and he has ‘it.’”