Nick Gates impresses Huskers in shift to left tackle

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As a senior 2 1/2 years ago at prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, Nick Gates met Mike Cavanaugh, who handled the area in recruiting as offensive line coach at Oregon State.

“He was this short, little, fat, bald dude,” Gates said, recalling last week that the coach’s appearance surprised him after they had talked on the phone.

Gates said he liked Cavanaugh but that he liked Nebraska more. In January 2014, Gates picked the Cornhuskers over Arizona, Texas A&M, UCLA and Oregon.

Cavanaugh went about his business and one year later landed with Mike Riley at Nebraska, where Gates was completing a redshirt season. Last fall, he started 10 games at right tackle. This spring,…