NEW YORK -- Heinrich Haarberg strode over to a small cluster of reporters under the bleachers of Fordham's stadium wearing a red hoodie. Two minutes to talk before the buses took off back to the team hotel in downtown Manhattan.
The topic was what one of Nebraska's most explosive athletes wasn't wearing in practice Thursday or this month -- a green jersey.
The fourth-year Husker from Kearney Catholic is transitioning from full-time quarterback to something else. Tight end, mainly, though the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder said he's done some defensive drills as well while searching for his optimal role with Nebraska next season and potentially a professional career after that.
"It's been a theme throughout the season, I think, trying to get me more involved," Haarberg said. "But I think these bowl practices have allowed me to really kick that into full gear."
Haarberg said his own wonderings about a position switch go back to last winter. An eight-game QB starter for Nebraska in 2023, he spoke with coach Matt Rhule after Dylan Raiola was named the No. 1 option a few months ago about how he could contribute.
NU has used Haarberg in a variety of ways including a Wildcat runner, a decoy, a thrower and occasionally a receiver. He finished the regular season with 102 rushing yards on 25 carries, one catch for eight yards and 10-of-18 passing for 101 with an interception.
"Didn't know exactly how the transition was going to move," Haarberg said. "Wanted to do my due diligence to the team and be the best team player that I could."
That shift has been "really fluid," he said. His previous work at quarterback makes the move smoother still, with terminology unchanged and passing concepts already studied.
Haarberg joins a tight end group including Thomas Fidone and Luke Lindenmeyer, with rotational contributor Nate Boerkircher having transferred to Texas A&M this month. Senior quarterback Jalyn Gramstad is the backup to Raiola for the bowl game with Haarberg third -- true freshman early enrollee TJ Lateef is also on the bowl trip while NU added former Purdue quarterback Marco Davila from the transfer portal for next season.
"Trying to find the best fit to continue my career," Haarberg said. "That's the really the biggest thing is I want to help this team but at the same time I have dreams and aspirations to go play at the next level. Hopefully this transition gives me the best opportunity to do that."