ADVERTISEMENT

10 prove it players....

HBK4life

Nebraska Legend
Jan 24, 2004
43,450
93,026
113
North of Lincoln South of Heaven
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/...cle_cd08c246-fd36-11e6-b501-c3fc4a4ef715.html
Offense

Jalin Barnett — The offensive guard needs to lose weight, according to his coach, Mike Cavanaugh. Seeing Barnett at practice and after games, that’s a fair assessment. Barnett is a strong dude, but he could stand to move around better. NU likes screen passes, too.


Tanner Lee — He’s a junior, and Nebraska expects a lot out of him. Teammates like him, coaches like him, he commands respect and has a nice arm. Now he has to put together that kind of spring camp that leaves little doubt that he’s the guy going forward. If Lee struggles in spring, you’d be asking a ton of redshirt freshman Patrick O’Brien.

Mikale Wilbon — He still has more wiggle and elusiveness than any of the other Husker backs, but, in two years, he’s only carried the ball 24 times. Knowing the offense has long been Wilbon’s obstacle. If he’s turned a corner there, he can win the starting job over Devine Ozigbo and Tre Bryant. He also could finish third.

Keyan Williams — The son of Nebraska receivers coach Keith Williams, Keyan redshirted last year after transferring from Fresno State, where he caught seven career passes. His dad has taught him well, and NU needs wideouts to step up. Look for Keyan Williams, often overlooked, to be a factor.

Matt Snyder — Nebraska beat Michigan for this tight end. Injuries have kept Snyder from doing much to this point, but he’ll have a real shot of winning a starting job, since the frontrunners are walk-ons who have very little game experience.

Defense
Mohamed Barry — He puts in the work after practice and he clearly has the talent to make plays. Now, Barry will learn a new defense like the rest of his teammates. On a level learning curve, will Barry’s athletic potential stand out?

Tyrin Ferguson — The New Orleans linebacker spent last year as a redshirt. Now, he may have fallen into a nice spot with the 3-4 system if he can play outside linebacker. Ferguson has the size for it; is he quick enough off the edge?
Luke Gifford — Here’s another linebacker who has a chance to make a dent in the defense. As a junior, Gifford could either put on weight and play inside, or stay outside and be more of a cover guy. Either way, Nebraska needs him to turn the corner.

DaiShon Neal — Has size, will stay at defensive end. Neal is prototypically built for 3-4 defensive end. He’s had two years at NU to grow into his frame and get stronger. What can he do from here?

Antonio Reed — If he’s healthy, Reed is a wild-card athlete who former defensive coordinator Mark Banker loved. Banker could never quite figure out how to use Reed though. Will new coordinator Bob Diaco?
 
http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/...cle_cd08c246-fd36-11e6-b501-c3fc4a4ef715.html
Offense

Jalin Barnett — The offensive guard needs to lose weight, according to his coach, Mike Cavanaugh. Seeing Barnett at practice and after games, that’s a fair assessment. Barnett is a strong dude, but he could stand to move around better. NU likes screen passes, too.


Tanner Lee — He’s a junior, and Nebraska expects a lot out of him. Teammates like him, coaches like him, he commands respect and has a nice arm. Now he has to put together that kind of spring camp that leaves little doubt that he’s the guy going forward. If Lee struggles in spring, you’d be asking a ton of redshirt freshman Patrick O’Brien.

Mikale Wilbon — He still has more wiggle and elusiveness than any of the other Husker backs, but, in two years, he’s only carried the ball 24 times. Knowing the offense has long been Wilbon’s obstacle. If he’s turned a corner there, he can win the starting job over Devine Ozigbo and Tre Bryant. He also could finish third.

Keyan Williams — The son of Nebraska receivers coach Keith Williams, Keyan redshirted last year after transferring from Fresno State, where he caught seven career passes. His dad has taught him well, and NU needs wideouts to step up. Look for Keyan Williams, often overlooked, to be a factor.

Matt Snyder — Nebraska beat Michigan for this tight end. Injuries have kept Snyder from doing much to this point, but he’ll have a real shot of winning a starting job, since the frontrunners are walk-ons who have very little game experience.

Defense
Mohamed Barry — He puts in the work after practice and he clearly has the talent to make plays. Now, Barry will learn a new defense like the rest of his teammates. On a level learning curve, will Barry’s athletic potential stand out?

Tyrin Ferguson — The New Orleans linebacker spent last year as a redshirt. Now, he may have fallen into a nice spot with the 3-4 system if he can play outside linebacker. Ferguson has the size for it; is he quick enough off the edge?
Luke Gifford — Here’s another linebacker who has a chance to make a dent in the defense. As a junior, Gifford could either put on weight and play inside, or stay outside and be more of a cover guy. Either way, Nebraska needs him to turn the corner.

DaiShon Neal — Has size, will stay at defensive end. Neal is prototypically built for 3-4 defensive end. He’s had two years at NU to grow into his frame and get stronger. What can he do from here?

Antonio Reed — If he’s healthy, Reed is a wild-card athlete who former defensive coordinator Mark Banker loved. Banker could never quite figure out how to use Reed though. Will new coordinator Bob Diaco?
http://huskercorner.com/2017/02/28/five-nebraska-football-players-surprise-spring-camp-2017/
 
Projected spring depth chart
LT

1. Nick Gates, Jr.

2. Matt Farniok, RFr.

3. Christian Gaylord, So.

LG

1. Jerald Foster, Jr.

2. Jalin Barnett, So.

C

1. Michael Decker, So.

-OR-

John Raridon, RFr.
RG

1. Tanner Farmer, Jr.

2. Boe Wilson, RFr.

RT

1. Cole Conrad, Jr.

-OR-

David Knevel, Sr.

Other notables: Zach Hannon, Sr.; Dwayne Johnson, Sr.; Bryan Brokop, RFr.; Broc Bando, Fr.
Spring dark horse
There's one player who could possibly shake up the entire look of Nebraska's offensive line depending on his performance over the course of the offseason, and that's Wilson.

A guy who nearly cracked the rotation as a true freshman even before NU's rash of injuries, Wilson has been said to epitomize what Cavanaugh looks for in an o-lineman with his combination of talent, physicality and downright nastiness.

Should Wilson have a strong spring and fall and the Huskers' current options at center don't work out, he very well could move up to the starting lineup with one of the current projected starting guards - most likely Farmer - moving over to center.

There's also a chance Wilson plays well enough that, regardless of what happens at center, he could force his way into the lineup in a rotation at guard. In fact, who's to say the Lee's Summit, Mo., native couldn't even win a starting spot outright?
Biggest question to answer
While Nebraska only loses one member of its original starting five on the offensive line in Utter, it remains up in the air who exactly will replace him at center.

Looking at the roster, the seemingly obvious choice would be sophomore Michael Decker, who spent most of last season as the No. 2 center behind Utter. However, Decker's consistency in practice left much to be desired, leaving him hardly a lock for the job.

Another candidate is Raridon, who has already been mentioned by both offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh and Gates as a potential frontrunner.

There's also been some talk of possibly moving a guard to center should neither Dekcer or Raridon lock up the job, with one possibility potentially being Farmer going to center and elevating Wilson into the starting lineup.

Spring practice will be the start of what could be a long competition over the course of the offseason.
 
Last edited:
Projected spring depth chart
LT

1. Nick Gates, Jr.

2. Matt Farniok, RFr.

3. Christian Gaylord, So.

LG

1. Jerald Foster, Jr.

2. Jalin Barnett, So.

C

1. Michael Decker, So.

-OR-

John Raridon, RFr.
RG

1. Tanner Farmer, Jr.

2. Boe Wilson, RFr.

RT

1. Cole Conrad, Jr.

-OR-

David Knevel, Sr.

Other notables: Zach Hannon, Sr.; Dwayne Johnson, Sr.; Bryan Brokop, RFr.; Broc Bando, Fr.
Projected spring depth chart: Cornerback & Safety
CB

1 - Joshua Kalu, Sr.

2 - Lamar Jackson, So.

3 - Boaz Joseph, Sr.

CB

1 - Chris Jones, Sr.

2 - Eric Lee, So.

3 - Dicaprio Bootle, RFr.


S

1 - Antonio Reed, Jr.

2 - JoJo Domann, So.

3 - Marquel Dismuke, RFr. OR Tony Butler, RFr.

S

1 - Aaron Williams, Jr. OR Kieron Williams, Sr.

2 - Avery Anderson, So.

Notable: Nolan Graham, Jr.; Reid Karel, So.; Jeremiah Stovall, So.; Eli Sullivan, RFr
Spring dark horse: JoJo Domann
If there's somebody that has a chance to make some noise this spring based on the way last year finished, keep your eyes on sophomore safety JoJo Domann.

The Colorado native is a natural playmaker, and his forced fumble in the bowl game was a small sample size of the potential he has going forward.

With a new defensive coordinator and position coach, Domann has the chance to really make a move this spring.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doniphan89
Spring dark horse
As mentioned above, Nebraska's running backs could see a lot more action as receivers with the change at quarterback, and that might benefit Wilbon as much as anyone.

Mike Riley and Danny Langsdorf have mentioned multiple times how they want to make screen passes a bigger part of their offensive game plan, but Armstrong's inability to consistently execute those severely diminished the plays in NU's scheme.

One of Wilbon's biggest strengths is his ability to make big plays with the ball in his hands in the open field. What better way to utilize that then by getting him touches in the screen game?

Projected spring depth chart
RUNNING BACK

1. Devine Ozigbo, Jr.

-OR-

Tre Bryant, So.

3. Mikale Wilbon, Jr.

Other noteables: Adam Taylor, Sr.; Wyatt Mazour, So.; Austin Rose, Jr.
Biggest question to answer
With a fairly dramatic change going on at the quarterback position this offseason, it will be interesting to watch how the the running game will alter with the move from a dual-threat QB in Armstrong to a traditional pocket passer.

Not only did Armstrong run for 100 more yards than Ozigbo last season, he also led the team with eight rushing touchdowns. That was two more than Ozigbo (6), Bryant (1) and Wilbon (0) had combined.

So the question going forward is how the shift at quarterback will change the role of NU's running backs in the offense?

Obviously the backs will have to handle a much bigger portion of the running game, but they could also see a larger role in the passing game - particularly on screen passes - which could really change the dynamic of the position and help determine how playing time might shake out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doniphan89
Projected spring depth chart
X receiver

1. Stanley Morgan, Jr.

2. Bryan Reimers, Jr.

-OR-

Jaevon McQuitty, Fr.

Z receiver

1. De'Mornay Pierson-El, Sr.

2. Conor Young, So.

R receiver

1. J.D. Spielman, RFr.

-OR-

Keyan Williams, Jr.

2. Gabe Rahn, Sr.

-OR-

Keyshawn Johnson, Fr.

Other notables: Zack Darlington, Jr.;Brady Pelzer, Jr.; Donovan McDonald, So.; Ne'Land Smith, RFr.
Spring dark horse
The Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year in in 2015 and the son of Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman, Spielman has already earned the nickname "Tasmanian Devil" from Keith Williamsbecause of his ability to make people miss in the open field.

In fact, his play during last year's fall camp was so good he nearly cracked the lineup as a true freshman despite undergoing knee surgery just a few months earlier.

Now with a wide-open competition at receiver, Spielman has a chance to further build upon the stock he's already built up with his impressive play on NU's scout team in 2016.

This spring will be big for Spielman to make his mark before the wide out group gets a little more crowded in the fall.
Outside of quarterback, no position group on Nebraska's entire roster lost as much talent and production than the wide receivers.

The Huskers are now without six of their top eight receivers from last season, including three of the top four in Jordan Westerkamp, Brandon Reilly and Alonzo Moore.

The good news is that NU returns junior Stanley Morgan, who ranked second on the team with 33 catches for 453 yards and two touchdowns, and senior De'Mornay Pierson-El, who ranked fifth with 20 grabs, 254 yards and a score.

Along with those two, Nebraska adds a cast of young but talented wide outs who will try to help fill that void, including redshirt freshman J.D. Spielman, who nearly played last year as a true freshman and earned the Scout Team Offensive MVP.

Nebraska also returns former walk-ons Bryan Reimers, who was placed on scholarship for the spring semester, and Gabe Rahn. Those two combined for six catches, 110 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Junior Keyan Williams - the son of NU receivers coach Keith Williams - is also eligible beginning this season after sitting last year following his transfer from Fresno State.

But, the biggest change could come with the arrival three incoming freshmen, two of which who enrolled early to participate in spring ball.

Three former four-star wide outs join the mix this season in Tyjon Lindsey, Keyshawn Johnson and Jaevon McQuitty, with Johnson and McQuitty getting a head start this spring.

How quickly they adapt to the college game should heavily influence what Nebraska's receiver picture looks like with the first game rolls around.
 
Spring dark horse
One of the last additions to Nebraska's 2016 recruiting class, Engelhaupt ended up becoming a very pleasant surprise to the Husker coaching staff with his play on scout team last season.

A versatile athlete who was a three-sport standout at Norfolk (Neb.) Catholic, Engelhaupt could work his way into the tight end mix with his ability as a receiver.

Given that the competition at his position is about as wide open as could be, there's no reason why Engelhaupt couldn't make a big push up the depth chart this spring and on into fall camp.

Projected spring depth chart
1. Tyler Hoppes, Sr.

2. Connor Ketter, Sr.

-OR-

Matt Snyder, So.

-OR-

David Engelhaupt, RFr.

-OR-

Jack Stoll, RFr.
Biggest question to answer
Regardless of how the final depth chart ends up, Nebraska's tight ends are going to have some massive shoes to fill this season in replacing Carter.

Arguably one of the most under-utilized offensive players on the team the past few years, Carter was one of two Huskers to get invited to the NFL Combine later this month and is regarded as one of NU's top draft prospects.

Can Hoppes or maybe one of the younger tight ends provide some of that same receiving ability that Carter gave? Or will the position fade into the background as primarily extra run blockers?
What we know right now
Just like at quarterback, Nebraska is making a clean sweep of its depth chart at tight end this offseason after the departures of Cethan Carter, Sam Cotton, and Trey Foster.

As a result, there might not be a less experienced position on the Huskers' entire roster heading into the start of spring practice. In fact, none of the six tight ends this spring have ever caught a pass at the college level.

Based on comments from NU's coaching staff last season, there is some optimism for the position despite the severe lack of experience.

Senior Tyler Hoppes was mentioned by name by offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf several times last year as a player who had impressed in practice, and he's expected to be the No. 1 entering the spring.

Senior Connor Ketter played in nine games primarily on special teams, and sophomore Matt Synder was a highly-touted recruit before being slowed by injuries the past two seasons. The Huskers will also debut two scholarship redshirt freshmen who got plenty of work on the scout team in David Engelhaupt and Jack Stoll.
 
With spring practice beginning in a couple weeks, HuskerOnline.com begins our in-depth look at each position with our 2017 spring position previews.

Today we start things off by analyzing and breaking down the quarterbacks heading into spring practice.

What we know right now
For the first time since 2010, Nebraska will open a season with a starting quarterback not named Taylor Martinez or Tommy Armstrong.

In fact, the Huskers are essentially bringing in an entirely new quarterback depth chart this spring, as Armstrong and former backup Ryker Fyfe are gone and new faces like junior Tanner Lee, redshirt freshman Patrick O’Brien and true freshman Tristan Gebbia are in.

While there’s been no official word from NU’s coaching staff as to who is the frontrunner to take the reigns as the new starter, it’s assumed that it will be a two-horse race when spring ball kicks off between Lee and O’Brien.

Both players have already been on the team for at least a full season, as Lee sat out last year after transferring from Tulane and O’Brien was able to preserve his redshirt status. Lee and O’Brien also both garnered their share of rave reviews for their work in practices and on scout team.

But based on some of the comments made by Nebraska’s staff - particularly Executive Director of Player Personnel/Special Assistant to the Head Coach Billy Devaney, who called Lee a potential high NFL draft pick - it would seem that Lee has a leg up for the job entering the offseason.

The Huskers also added a fourth QB to the mix in sophomore junior college transfer Andrew Bunch, whose presence should allow the Huskers to redshirt Gebbia.

It also remains to be seen where junior Zack Darlington will play this season. Darlington
started last year at wide receiver but moved back to quarterback late in the season to help with depth due to injuries, and he even got some snaps in the bowl game.
Biggest question to answer
On one hand, the amount of praise Lee has received since arriving on campus last summer has been a major reason for excitement regarding the future of Nebraska's offense and the quarterback position as a whole.

On the other, it's also raised the bar of expectations significantly going into the 2017 season.

It's obviously good that the Huskers feel so strongly about Lee's abilities, but it remains to be seen how well he'll handle the hot, bright spotlight that has always been locked in on NU's quarterbacks.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound native of Destrehan, La., started 19 games during his two years at Tulane, including making 10 starts as a redshirt freshman in 2014, when he set multiple school freshman records.

However, the pressure he saw with the Green Wave won't even come close to what Lee will see in Lincoln.

Will he step up and become the top-flight quarterback his coaches think he can be? Or will the expectations already be too great for Lee to meet?

Spring dark horse

Tristan Gebbia

Pro-style quarterback
4 STARS
Calabasas
Calabasas, CA
RR: 5.9
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 180 lbs
Class: 2017



6
POSITION


122
NATIONAL


17
STATE

Commitment status:
SIGNED LOI
Nebraska

All the talk going into spring ball has been about the competition between Lee and O'Brien for the starting job.

But the newest member to the quarterback room might have something to say about that.

Gebbia enrolled a semester early so he could participate in spring practice and get a jump on his development at Nebraska.

A former four-star prospect who was ranked the No. 6 QB in the country last year, the Calabasas, Calif., native brings an impressive résumé with him to Lincoln.

All that being said, though, it's going to take a monumental offseason for a true freshman to come in and pass up two talented and more established players on the depth chart.

Projected spring depth chart
1. Tanner Lee, Jr.

-OR-

Patrick O'Brien, RFr.

2. Tristan Gebbia Fr.

3. Andrew Bunch So.
Credit to HOL staff...Sean, Nate, Robin...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doniphan89
Projected spring depth chart
X receiver

1. Stanley Morgan, Jr.

2. Bryan Reimers, Jr.

-OR-

Jaevon McQuitty, Fr.

Z receiver

1. De'Mornay Pierson-El, Sr.

2. Conor Young, So.

R receiver

1. J.D. Spielman, RFr.

-OR-

Keyan Williams, Jr.

2. Gabe Rahn, Sr.

-OR-

Keyshawn Johnson, Fr.

Other notables: Zack Darlington, Jr.;Brady Pelzer, Jr.; Donovan McDonald, So.; Ne'Land Smith, RFr.
Spring dark horse
The Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year in in 2015 and the son of Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman, Spielman has already earned the nickname "Tasmanian Devil" from Keith Williamsbecause of his ability to make people miss in the open field.

In fact, his play during last year's fall camp was so good he nearly cracked the lineup as a true freshman despite undergoing knee surgery just a few months earlier.

Now with a wide-open competition at receiver, Spielman has a chance to further build upon the stock he's already built up with his impressive play on NU's scout team in 2016.

This spring will be big for Spielman to make his mark before the wide out group gets a little more crowded in the fall.
Outside of quarterback, no position group on Nebraska's entire roster lost as much talent and production than the wide receivers.

The Huskers are now without six of their top eight receivers from last season, including three of the top four in Jordan Westerkamp, Brandon Reilly and Alonzo Moore.

The good news is that NU returns junior Stanley Morgan, who ranked second on the team with 33 catches for 453 yards and two touchdowns, and senior De'Mornay Pierson-El, who ranked fifth with 20 grabs, 254 yards and a score.

Along with those two, Nebraska adds a cast of young but talented wide outs who will try to help fill that void, including redshirt freshman J.D. Spielman, who nearly played last year as a true freshman and earned the Scout Team Offensive MVP.

Nebraska also returns former walk-ons Bryan Reimers, who was placed on scholarship for the spring semester, and Gabe Rahn. Those two combined for six catches, 110 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Junior Keyan Williams - the son of NU receivers coach Keith Williams - is also eligible beginning this season after sitting last year following his transfer from Fresno State.

But, the biggest change could come with the arrival three incoming freshmen, two of which who enrolled early to participate in spring ball.

Three former four-star wide outs join the mix this season in Tyjon Lindsey, Keyshawn Johnson and Jaevon McQuitty, with Johnson and McQuitty getting a head start this spring.

How quickly they adapt to the college game should heavily influence what Nebraska's receiver picture looks like with the first game rolls around.
Just looking at this breakdown, I wonder where Tyjon Lindsey will fit into the mix... Left out in the projected depth chart above...
 
Just looking at this breakdown, I wonder where Tyjon Lindsey will fit into the mix... Left out in the projected depth chart above...

It took me a minute to realize that he isn't here right now and that this is a spring depth chart. It'll be interesting to see what spot he takes on the depth chart.
 
Spring dark horse: Daishon Neal
The one player who could really make a jump this spring is Neal. If Neal is going to make a big move for playing time, this will be the spring it needs to happen.

With his 6-foot-7, 270 pound frame, Neal looks like he'll be a great fit at the defensive end spot, and they are going to need another guy to step up with the Davis brothers, Stoltenberg and Akinmoladun.

Projected spring depth chart
SDE

1 - Freedom Akinmoladun, Jr.

2 - Daishon Neal, So.

3 - A.J. Natter, Sr.

NT

1 - Mick Stoltenberg, Jr.

2 - Khalil Davis, So.

3 - Fyn Anderson, So.

WDE

1 - Carlos Davis, So.

2 - Peyton Newell, Jr.

3 - Dylan Owen, Jr.

4 - Erik Evans, Sr.
What we know right now
Nebraska head coach Mike Riley finally publicly announced the changes up front to his defensive line as the Huskers get ready to transition into a 3-4 defense.

The way it breaks down going into the spring a group of four players definitely appear to be a cut above the rest on the new 3-4 defensive line.

Junior Mick Stoltenberg and sophomore Khalil Davis will man the nose tackle position, while sophomore Carlos Davis will play the weak side defensive end and junior Freedom Akinmoladun will play the strong side defensive spot.

After this group, things drop off considerably, as several players who have not taken a meaningful snap over the course of their careers will be vying for two-deep reps. Most notably this is a big spring for both junior Peyton Newell and sophomore Daishon Neal to make a move and show new defensive coordinator Bob Diaco their value.

It was a little surprising to see both redshirt freshman Ben Stille and junior Sedrick King move to the outside linebacker position, because I thought both players had the potential to play defensive end in the 3-4 defense as well.
Biggest question to answer: Can this group fit the 3-4 scheme?
What we don't know yet about this group is can they truly fit Diaco's 3-4 defensive scheme, or will there be some major growing pains as they adjust to the scheme?

There's also some question if Stoltenberg is a true nose tackle in the 3-4, which is arguably one of the most important positions in the defense.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes for them to adjust, and also how many of the true freshman will get a look for early playing time once they get here for Fall Camp in August.
 
Spring dark horse
As mentioned above, Nebraska's running backs could see a lot more action as receivers with the change at quarterback, and that might benefit Wilbon as much as anyone.
Or it could hurt him the most. If you expect to have an active TE that means your backs have to be able to pass block. Wilbon has been weak here.

Ask the Falcons how important pass blocking backs are. If their back doesn't allow the sack/fumble in the 4th quarter they more than likely are Super Bowl champions.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dinglefritz
What we know right now
This will be one of the more drastic personnel shifts we've seen with a position group on Nebraska's defense in quite some time.

The Huskers have been running the 4-3 defense since 1993, so flipping over to a 3-4 is definitely going to bring some growing pains along the way.

NU will have a group of three linebackers that bring solid game experience to the table in junior Dedrick Young and seniors Chris Weber and Marcus Newby. Sophomore Alex Davis will man the other starting spot to start the spring, as he was moved from defensive end.

Davis, Ben Stille, Collin Miller and Sedrick King were all moved to linebacker from defensive end with the change in defensive schemes.

It will be very interesting to see how players like Mohamed Barry, Greg Simmons, Luke Gifford and Pernell Jefferson will fit into Bob Diaco's defensive scheme. Both Miller (toe) and redshirt freshman Tyrin Ferguson (knee) will miss the spring with injuries.
Biggest question: Does Nebraska have enough pass rushing LB's?
For this defensive scheme to ultimately work, Nebraska is going to need to find a solid pass rush from both Davis and Newby.

The productivity of the outside linebacker will be very important to the overall success of the defense.

Weber also has the chance to be a tackling machine at the strong side linebacker spot, and it wouldn't be a surprise at all if he led NU in overall tackles in 2017.

In the Huskers previous scheme the defensive end was the primary player that had to generate a pass rush. The outside linebacker will now take on that role. It remains a major question if Newby and Davis are talented enough to take this on.
Spring dark horse: Avery Roberts
Roberts will be the lone freshman here for spring ball on the defensive side of the football.

The Rivals100 recruit did not graduate early for nothing. He's here to earn early playing time, and he's as highly rated of a linebacker as the Huskers have signed in a number of years.

It should be interesting to see if he pushes Young at the weak side inside linebacker spot by spring's end, as I'm sure new defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is very aware of his talent level considering the fact he played his high school ball in Delaware while Diaco coached at Connecticut.
Projected spring depth chart
Field Outside LB

1 - Marcus Newby, Sr.

2 - Luke Gifford, Jr.

Weak Inside LB

1 - Dedrick Young, Jr.

2 - Mohamed Barry, So.

3 - Greg Simmons, RFr.

Strong Inside LB
1 - Chris Weber, Sr.

2 - Pernell Jefferson, RFr.

3 - Avery Roberts, Fr.

Boundary Outside LB

1 - Alex Davis, So.

2 - Quayshon Alexander, RFr.

3 - Sedrick King, Jr.

4 - Ben Stille, RFr.

Injured: Collin Miller, RFr.; Tryrin Ferguson, So.;
 
  • Like
Reactions: GretnaShawn
Lots of good info here.

Only thing I dont get is how anyone would have though 245-250lb Sedrick King and Ben Stille would have been good 3-4 DEs.
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT