Heinrich Haarberg enjoying transition from quarterback to tight end

LINCOLN, Neb. — After playing quarterback his entire career with the Huskers, the junior is having fun adapting to his new position this spring.

Although passing the football is in the rearview mirror for Heinrich Haarberg, he’s now molding himself into a quality tight end for Big Red Nation, and has a high ceiling in the eyes of his coaches. Switching a position is never easy for a player, but Haarberg has a tremendous work ethic, and will stop at nothing to get onto the field.

Nebraska’s bowl victory over Boston College was the first time he saw action at tight end. Haarberg played 30 snaps, and even caught an eight-yard pass. He’s looking promising in spring ball, thanks to a handful of postseason practices at the new position. The Kearney native is finding his new journey encouraging, as he continues to soak up Dana Holgorsen’s playbook like a sponge.

“It’s almost like being a freshman all over again, except I kind of have some shortcuts,” Haarberg said. “”Knowing the offense, knowing what the quarterbacks want, and what an Offensive Coordinator wants from the tight ends.”

Now it’s all about running routes, catching balls and blocking. Haarberg is still adjusting to all of the physical contact, but understands what comes with the territory. Having to line up against elite edge rushers won’t be easy by any means, especially in the Big Ten.

However, his father Rod, was a walk-on fullback at Nebraska during the early 1990s, and taught him all about initiating contact. That’s why Haarberg is bulking up his frame, and adding more muscle mass.

“Changing my body a little bit, being able to put on more weight, kind of push the limits of what my body can and can’t do,” he said. “Seeing how much weight I can put on without losing any speed, and learning different stuff, like I never really ran a route before.”

Tight Ends Coach Marcus Satterfield, who was previously Nebraska’s Offensive Coordinator, is in awe of Haarberg’s development, and the versatility he brings to the offense. Haarberg’s change in positions, and Satterfield’s demotion are somewhat comparable, and they’re using it all as motivation. At the end of the day, Satterfield just wants to help Haarberg be a successful tight end on the gridiron.

“It’s been great, it’s a total different game that he (Haarberg) is playing now, than he’s played his whole life at quarterback,” Satterfield said. “Just the physicality of it, the bodies, being at the line of scrimmage, he’s working hard everyday, and keeps getting better, and the way he’s trending right now is where I thought he’d be.”

There’s a learning curve though. Haarberg is still going through some difficulties, like being in the box and isolated out on the edge. With Thomas Fidone off to the NFL, Haarberg will have plenty of chances to lock down the position over the next four months.

Holgorsen is putting an emphasis on having the best players on the field at the sametime, and Haarberg should be able to compliment the rest of the offense. The 22-year old has the speed and agility to create mismatches out in coverage, and could potentially mold into an elite weapon. Regardless, Haarberg doesn’t regret his decision to change positions, and believes the best is yet to come as the Huskers approach the midpoint of spring practice.

“I don’t think it was ever hard for me to accept the fact, I just kind of viewed it as a new challenge, a new opportunity, and that made it a lot easier to transition mentally.”