Nebraska's Byerson Cockrell refuses to slow down in return from shoulder surgery
Nebraska safety Byerson Cockrell spent most of fall training camp easing himself back onto the field after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason.
His hard work recuperating from the procedure paid off, as he was named a starter on the Huskers' depth chart, despite strong competition from the likes of freshman Aaron Williams and sophomore Kieron Williams.
Cockrell's strong preseason run surprised many, as he showed a relentless physicality that belied the concerns of his own coaches, who opted to exercise caution with him in his first weeks back on the field.
The senior, however, wouldn't have any of that.
"I've been going full-speed," Cockrell said, according to Brian Christopherson of the Lincoln Journal Star. "I've been rolling on the ground, getting dirty. I'm back 100 percent. There's nothing holding me back right now. I pray to God that I don't re-injure it or anything, but right now I don't even think about my shoulder when I'm out there. I just go play."
Cockrell credits the challenge from his fellow teammates with motivating him throughout a difficult camp.
"Man, Aaron has to do a lot because he's starting on special teams. ... Players like that, they push me a lot. I'm thankful for them," he said.