Husker notes: NU add transfer tight end Travis Vokolek from Rutgers

Husker notes: NU add transfer tight end Travis Vokolek from Rutgers
Travis Vokolek caught 16 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINCOLN — A Husker position group full of experience and depth added another player for the future.

Travis Vokolek, a transfer tight end from Rutgers, announced Tuesday he’s headed to Nebraska.

The 6-foot-6, 249-pounder caught 16 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018. The Scarlet Knights’ passing offense — worst in the Big Ten — only accounted for five touchdowns last season. Vokolek appeared in seven Rutgers’ games as a true freshman.

Originally from Springfield, Missouri, Travis Vokolek is the son of DJ Vokolek, a native of Lincoln and currently the assistant head coach at Northern Iowa.

DJ Vokolek played college football at UNK and served as an assistant for six years at UNO from 1997-2002. He worked with Nebraska quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander at UNI in the mid-2000s.

Travis Vokolek, who visited NU, Iowa and Kansas State, will redshirt and joins a tight end room that’s fully stocked. Junior Jack Stoll returns as a starter, while sophomores Austin Allen, Kurt Rafdal and freshman Katerian Legrone are backup options. Another freshman, Chris Hickman, is expected to provide depth while he redshirts and gains weight.

With Vokolek, Nebraska continues its habit of working the transfer portal for players. NU added Darrion Daniels (Oklahoma State) and Kanawai Noa (California) this cycle. Last year the Huskers added Breon Dixon (Mississippi), Vaha Vainuku (Utah) and Tre Neal (Central Florida).

Husker RB Maurice Washington has his next court hearing Wednesday. Here’s what to expect

LINCOLN — Nebraska running back Maurice Washington is scheduled to have his third hearing in a California court on Wednesday.

According to court documents, Washington, 19, is accused of texting a 10-second video of a former girlfriend performing oral sex to that girl in March 2018. The girl was 15 years old when the video was recorded in 2016. Washington did not record the video and did not take part in the sex act.

The hearing, scheduled for 9 a.m. PDT in Santa Clara County Court, is a “preliminary examination hearing.” A court spokesperson said it was a plea hearing.

Washington is charged with felony possession of a video of a person under 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. He is also charged with a misdemeanor of sharing the video without the girl’s consent.

In May, Washington had a public defender appointed to defend him since his counsel in Nebraska, John Ball, is not licensed to practice in California.

Then, on June 4, Washington was cited on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia when campus police received a call about the odor of marijuana emanating from his dorm room. Police said no marijuana was found, but there was marijuana residue in a pipe that was in Washington’s possession. NU’s athletic department said it was aware of the situation and handling it internally.

The incident in California came to light in February when charges were filed against Washington. The Nebraska athletic department learned in September that an investigator in California was trying to get in contact with Washington, but NU said it did not learn of the nature of the allegations until February.

Washington was listed as a “limited participant” throughout spring practices and did not play in the spring game.

“We’re trying to keep him in as normal of a routine as a student-athlete as we can,” NU coach Scott Frost said in March. “In the meantime, anytime anyone behaves in a way that isn’t consistent with the values of our team or our university, they run the risk of losing playing time or putting their status with the team in jeopardy.”

Nebraska has not commented on Washington’s playing status for next season. He’s expected to be a key contributor in the backfield along with newcomer Dedrick Mills, who transferred from Garden City (Kan.) Community College. True freshmen Rahmir Johnson and Ronald Thompkins recently arrived on campus, and other running backs already in the program include Jaylin Bradley, Wyatt Mazour and Brody Belt, among others.

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