https://hailvarsity.com/s/8828/hot-reads-things-could-get-interesting-for-husker-dbs-this-spring
Here's where Nebraska really feels the loss of Jackson, who had twice as many pass breakups (12) as any other Husker and also tied for the team lead with three interceptions. That said, it feels like the Huskers might be a little better off than the numbers suggest. Bootle showed he was more than capable as a pass defender with 15 breakups in 2018. Taylor-Britt matched Jackson's interception total last season. Cornerback Braxton Clark has shown promise in limited snaps and true freshman corner Quinton Newsome was on the depth chart all year despite seeing most of his action on special teams.
That's the key juxtaposition here. Based on what we know about the actual players returning, it doesn't feel like Nebraska's in bad shape in the secondary. I felt the Huskers were better off there than at linebacker or on the defensive line, and they still might be.
But that's why a uniform look at returning production can be useful––it forces you to at least pause and consider how many plays (not players) there are to actually replace. That could make for an interesting spring despite Nebraska returning three or four starters (depending upon how you want to count Williams) in the back four. There might be more of a competition here than you'd at first think. In addition to Clark and Newsome, there's a wave a young defensive backs looking for a way to get in the mix.
And there are certainly tackles, pass breakups and interceptions to be had in 2020.
Here's where Nebraska really feels the loss of Jackson, who had twice as many pass breakups (12) as any other Husker and also tied for the team lead with three interceptions. That said, it feels like the Huskers might be a little better off than the numbers suggest. Bootle showed he was more than capable as a pass defender with 15 breakups in 2018. Taylor-Britt matched Jackson's interception total last season. Cornerback Braxton Clark has shown promise in limited snaps and true freshman corner Quinton Newsome was on the depth chart all year despite seeing most of his action on special teams.
That's the key juxtaposition here. Based on what we know about the actual players returning, it doesn't feel like Nebraska's in bad shape in the secondary. I felt the Huskers were better off there than at linebacker or on the defensive line, and they still might be.
But that's why a uniform look at returning production can be useful––it forces you to at least pause and consider how many plays (not players) there are to actually replace. That could make for an interesting spring despite Nebraska returning three or four starters (depending upon how you want to count Williams) in the back four. There might be more of a competition here than you'd at first think. In addition to Clark and Newsome, there's a wave a young defensive backs looking for a way to get in the mix.
And there are certainly tackles, pass breakups and interceptions to be had in 2020.
