LINCOLN — Nebraska will be without one of its most experienced offensive linemen for the 2018 season.
Starting left tackle Nick Gates declared for the NFL draft early Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound tackle announced the decision on Twitter, thanking his family, Nebraska fans and the former NU coaching staff.
“Coach (Mike) Riley and Coach (Mike) Cavanaugh, you gave me a chance I never thought I would have, and it is because of you I now get to pursue my dreams,” Gates’ message said. “It has taken me a long time to make this decision. I believe Coach (Scott) Frost will take Husker Nation to where we need to go! However, after talking it over with my family, friends, and coaches, I have officially decided to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft.”
Gates didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment on Tuesday. Despite playing tackle in college, Gates is rated the No. 13 guard in the draft class by NFLDraftScout.com.
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Gates was a four-star lineman out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas recruited by Bo Pelini’s staff. He redshirted in 2014, then became a regular at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2015. Gates settled in at left tackle his sophomore season and would go on to start 26 games at that spot, the most at that position in school history.
Gates was named third-team All-Big Ten by the media and honorable-mention All-Big Ten by coaches in 2016, and he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team by Big Ten Network and ESPN in 2015.
Nebraska’s new offensive line coach, Greg Austin, should have a variety of options for replacing Gates at left tackle. His backup this season, Christian Gaylord, enters his junior season. The Huskers also return six linemen from 2017 who started at least one game, including Cole Conrad, Michael Decker, Tanner Farmer, Matt Farniok, Brenden Jaimes and Jerald Foster.
As a true freshman, Jaimes started more games at right tackle than any other freshman in school history. He could move over to left tackle to fill in for Gates. Conrad has played tackle in the past and could slip into that spot as well. He played center in 2017, but when injured he was replaced by Decker, who received praise from teammates and coaches for his ability to read defenses. An injury took Decker out for the season, and he was replaced with Conrad again. Also available is Farniok, who started a few games at right in place of senior David Knevel. When Farniok went down with an injury, Jaimes replaced him and won the position.
Here's the full Twitter post from Gates:
Thank you #GBR!!! pic.twitter.com/NLJcXlhZRX
— Nick Gates (@nickgates77) January 2, 2018
Will Nick Gates get selected in the NFL draft?
Nick Gates, one of NU's most experienced offensive linemen, declared for the 2018 NFL draft on Tuesday. Do you think Gates will be drafted?