How Jeff Sims and Billy Kemp built a connection that could shape Nebraska's offense

Jul 31, 2023
Jeff Sims and Billy Kemp IV arrived at Nebraska's campus in the winter on a similar path.
Both transfers were leaving an ACC program to join the Huskers as veterans with several years of starting experience. They knew the immediate expectations would be high as soon as they stepped foot on campus in the winter — Sims as a potential starting quarterback and Kemp as one of his top targets in the passing game.
But, they weren’t on the same page just yet. That was going to take some time — and a lot of work — before Sims and Kemp could display the chemistry expected from a strong quarterback-wide receiver duo.
Saturday mornings turned into extended throwing sessions for Sims and Kemp. Weeks passed before timing routes like curls or outs soon felt more natural, but both players knew it.
The chemistry was growing.
“We put the work in to ultimately get to where we need to be,” Kemp said. “If we weren’t there the first day, we’re going to work to get closer to it on the second day, the third day or the fourth day. That’s just been our process, working together and knowing we have to attack in front of the season to accomplish our goals.”
The foundations were laid in the spring, but the summer was the period where Sims and Kemp experienced the most growth. The chance to work together in 7-on-7 action meant more and more reps for the duo every day on top of their regular throwing sessions.
It wasn’t just Kemp who became more in rhythm with Sims over the summer — the quarterback commended all his passing targets at Big Ten Media Days — but he still singled out Kemp for praise.
"I like throwing to all of them, I have great chemistry with my receivers,” Sims said on Thursday. “I know me and Billy, we came in together, and we've been tight since we got here so that's my dog right there.”
Since he landed in Nebraska, Kemp has only left campus once — that was last week, when he visited his family prior to fall practice getting underway.
Other than that, it’s been all business. Kemp committed himself to the weight room over the summer, working with strength coaches every single day. He’s been a fixture in wide receiver coach Garret McGuire’s office. Head coach Matt Rhule has noticed Kemp mentoring his younger teammates throughout the summer.
Kemp prides himself as a hard worker. His teammates know it, his quarterback knows it and his coaches know it too. But, just how much time does the veteran wide receiver put into perfecting his craft every day?
“I love this game, so there’s no telling,” Kemp said. “I get catches, watch film at home (and) it’s a never-ending job; I can’t put a number on it, but I’m working.”
Nebraska’s wide receiver room has more questions than it has answers. Marcus Washington entered fall camp with a broken bone in his hand and wore a green no-contact jersey on Monday. Zavier Betts and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda have scarcely played in the past season or two. Josh Fleeks was sent home after reporting to camp overweight. There are many freshmen in the mix, but there’s no guarantee they’ll be ready.
Then there’s Kemp. The ultra-productive slot wide receiver has 192 catches in his college career and is ready to do whatever it takes to keep adding to that total.
“I want my role to be whatever the offense needs,” Kemp said. “Whether that’s running routes, coming out of the backfield (or) blocking, just whatever they need me to do.”
After reflecting on all the progress that he, Sims and the entire Husker offense has made already, Kemp naturally thought ahead to a season that’s now just one month away. It’s normal to be excited on the first day of fall practice, but the soft-spoken Kemp rarely changed his expression while taking questions on Monday.
Even still, he couldn’t help but offer a prediction for what lies ahead.
“I feel like we can be the best offense in the nation, honestly,” Kemp said. “We have weapons and everything we need — we have the coaches and the players, it’s just on us to put it all together.”