After the exercise with Wisconsin the other day, I decided to check out the Huskers, and look at the amount of game experience. Nebraska's defense is actually a pretty veteran group. I think a lot of people were surprised, myself included, by how quickly Diaco was able to insert the new scheme into the Spring. When you really look at the roster, it may have not been such a surprise after all. While growing pains will certainly occur, you can't deny that the majority of the defensive personnel has already acclimated to game speed and live bullets. They don't have to learn new responsibilities while also trying to adapt to the speed of the game.
Also, here is my unpopular statement that will rustle a lot of Jimmies:
This is Mike Riley's team.
You can argue he would've recruited some different players who would be current seniors or redshirt Juniors, but the vast majority of the players on this roster were recruited and signed by Mike Riley. However, Mike Riley would've certainly maintained better roster management in relation to TE and DE. But, you can't deny the following statement:
94.% of the scholarship players on the roster, have ONLY played snaps for Mike Riley.
While Riley is only responsible for signing roughly 76% of the current scholarship players, he is responsible for virtually every current player's development. Josh Kalu, DPE, and
Marcus Newby are really only the only players who ever started or logged extensive PT for Bo. Kieron Williams, Chris Jones, Chris Weber, and Luke McKnitt played a lot of Special Teams in 2014.
Left over guys from Bo who are non factors:
- CB Boaz Joseph
- DE - Peyton Newell - although he may see some reserve duty this season
- DE AJ Natter - did play briefly in 2016, but may never recover from injuries
- DE Sedrick King - likely won't do much beyond mop up or special teams
Now to the 22:
DEFENSE:
DE Freedom Akinmoladun – 17 career starts, 8.5 Tackles for Loss and 12 sacks in career. Up to 280 lbs now. 4th year in program, only ever played for Mike Riley.
NG Mick Stoltenburg – 9 career starts, 3 career sacks and 4 Tackles for loss – Up to 307 now. 4th year in program, only ever played for Mike Riley.
DE Carlos Davis – 4 career starts (all at 4-3 DT) 5 Tackles for loss and 2 sacks as a True FROSH – 6’2 296, 3rd year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley
OLB – Alex Davis – 0 career starts, ONLY 2 tackles in 13 total games played. Was the 2015 scout team MVP, 3rd year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
ILB – Dedrick Young – 20 career starts (all at OLB in 4-3), 121 tackles in 2 seasons, 3rd year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
ILB – Chris Weber – 4 Career Starts (But has played in 36 games) Racked up 17 tackles in his first ever career start vs. Illinois in 2015. – 5th year in program. Played for Bo Pelini in every game of 2014 season.
OLB – Marcus Newby – 10 career starts (all at OLB in 4-3), has played in over 31 games. Accumulated at least one tackle for loss in every start of his career. 5th year in program. Oldest scholarship player on the roster. TURNS 23 years-old this week. – Played for Bo Pelini in every game of 2014 season.
CB – Chris Jones – 20 career starts, HM All Big Ten, 5 career interceptions. Top 10 NFL prospect at position for 2018 draft. Played for Bo Pelini, every game of the 2014 seasons. – 4th year Player
SS – Aaron Williams – 14 Career Starts – 50 career tackles and 10 tackles for loss in 2 seasons. 3rd year in program – only ever played for Mike Riley.
FS – Josh Kalu – 28 total starts (9 at Nickel, 19 at CB) – most experienced scholarship player on the roster. – 2015 All Big Ten HM. 168 career tackles. 21 career Pass break ups, and 4 INTs – 4th year player. Only defensive player left on roster to have started game for Bo Pelini.
CB – Lamar Jackson – 1 career start – Youngest starter on defensive side of the ball – 2nd year in program. –former top 100 player. 17 tackles, 1 sack and 2 tackles for Loss as a True Freshman. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
Other players of Note:
OFFENSE:
LT Nick Gates – 23 Career Starts ( 10 at RT) – 4-Star, ESPN100, Rivals 250. 3rd Team All Big Ten, All Big Ten Freshman Team, 2015 All Bowl Team, All Big Ten HM – Loved by all fans on RSS until he had one bad game. Now RSS thinks he sucks and in the Spirit of RSS Absolutes, he is now the worst Offensive tackle in Nebraska History. – 4th Year in Program. Has only ever played for Mike Rily.
LG – Jerald Foster – 3 career starts – former US Army All American – Heavily recruited out of HS. – Slated to be the starter all of 2016 offseason and into Fall Camp. Robbed of the opportunity due to injury. – 4th year in program, but only ever played for Mike Riley.
C- Cole Conrad – 5 career starts (all at RT) – former walk on – Made 1st Collegiate Start at Ohio State and somehow refrained from shitting his pants. 4th year in program. Has only ever played for Mike Riley.
RG- Tanner Farmer – 11 career starts – Arguably Nebraska’s most talented offensive linemen. – Former 4-Star top 100 player. Should push for All-Conference accolades in 2017. -4th year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
RT- David Knevel – 8 career starts – Never really developed consistency due to an ankle injury. Played best game vs. Oregon, but also suffered injury in that game. Will need to stay healthy in order to take next step and shore up that side of the line. 5th year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
TE- Tyler Hoppes – 0 career starts – has never caught a pass at Nebraska. He once scored a touchdown at Wayne State, in 2013 – Lowest recruited and least experienced starting TE in the Big Ten. – 4th year w/ Nebraska. Has only ever played for Mike Riley.
WR- Demornay Pierson- El – 13 career starts – Freshman All American Returner – Only really played 5 games in 2015 and was slowed coming back in 2016 due to foot and knee injuries. – 4th year w/ program. Only scholarship offensive player to have started a game for Bo Pelini.
WR- Stanley Morgan, Jr – 14 career starts – Big Ten All Freshman team in ’15. Former 4-Star. Has 58 career catches. – 3rd year player. Only played for Mike Riley.
QB – Tanner Lee – 0 career starts (20 career starts at Tulane) – once sacked or taken to the ground 12 times before halftime in a game vs. Temple as a sophomore. Played Scout Team QB for Nebraska in 2016. 5th season in college football. 2nd season at Nebraska. Has only played for Mike Riley.
FB – Luke McNitt – 2 career starts – Exceptional Athlete who once scored a touchdown via pass, rush, and reception in one D2 game while playing QB for UNK in 2014. Also former Class A discus and Shot put champ. Strongest player on the team. 4th year with Huskers. Has only played for Mike Riley.
RB – Tre Bryant – 0 career starts – Former St. Louis HS player of the Year. Missouri 6A All State Unanimous Selection – BUT terrible according to Rivals.com. 43 carries for 172 yards, 2 TDs. Also caught 7 passes out of the backfield and had a dynamic 35 yard TD catch vs. Minnesota. Added a 59 yard KOR vs. Purdue. 2nd year at Nebraska, has only played for Mike Riley.
Slot – Keyan Williams – 0 career starts (0 games played) Transfer from Fresno State. – Slated to start in the Slot when Nebraska uses a 1- back set. Caught 7 passes for 34 yards in 2014 at Fresno. Coaches Son. 2nd year at Nebraska. Has only played for Mike Riley at Nebraska.
Slot – JD Spielman – 0 career starts. KW is listed as #1 on the depth chart at this time. Even with the love of his position coach, I’m not sure that will last. Former Minnesota HS Player of The year was a dynamic playmaker in HS drawing comparisons to Darren Sproles. It’s difficult to believe he won’t be the starter early in the season. 2nd year in program. Has only played for Mike Riley.
Other players of Note:
Also, here is my unpopular statement that will rustle a lot of Jimmies:
This is Mike Riley's team.
You can argue he would've recruited some different players who would be current seniors or redshirt Juniors, but the vast majority of the players on this roster were recruited and signed by Mike Riley. However, Mike Riley would've certainly maintained better roster management in relation to TE and DE. But, you can't deny the following statement:
94.% of the scholarship players on the roster, have ONLY played snaps for Mike Riley.
While Riley is only responsible for signing roughly 76% of the current scholarship players, he is responsible for virtually every current player's development. Josh Kalu, DPE, and
Marcus Newby are really only the only players who ever started or logged extensive PT for Bo. Kieron Williams, Chris Jones, Chris Weber, and Luke McKnitt played a lot of Special Teams in 2014.
Left over guys from Bo who are non factors:
- CB Boaz Joseph
- DE - Peyton Newell - although he may see some reserve duty this season
- DE AJ Natter - did play briefly in 2016, but may never recover from injuries
- DE Sedrick King - likely won't do much beyond mop up or special teams
Now to the 22:
DEFENSE:
DE Freedom Akinmoladun – 17 career starts, 8.5 Tackles for Loss and 12 sacks in career. Up to 280 lbs now. 4th year in program, only ever played for Mike Riley.
NG Mick Stoltenburg – 9 career starts, 3 career sacks and 4 Tackles for loss – Up to 307 now. 4th year in program, only ever played for Mike Riley.
DE Carlos Davis – 4 career starts (all at 4-3 DT) 5 Tackles for loss and 2 sacks as a True FROSH – 6’2 296, 3rd year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley
OLB – Alex Davis – 0 career starts, ONLY 2 tackles in 13 total games played. Was the 2015 scout team MVP, 3rd year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
ILB – Dedrick Young – 20 career starts (all at OLB in 4-3), 121 tackles in 2 seasons, 3rd year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
ILB – Chris Weber – 4 Career Starts (But has played in 36 games) Racked up 17 tackles in his first ever career start vs. Illinois in 2015. – 5th year in program. Played for Bo Pelini in every game of 2014 season.
OLB – Marcus Newby – 10 career starts (all at OLB in 4-3), has played in over 31 games. Accumulated at least one tackle for loss in every start of his career. 5th year in program. Oldest scholarship player on the roster. TURNS 23 years-old this week. – Played for Bo Pelini in every game of 2014 season.
CB – Chris Jones – 20 career starts, HM All Big Ten, 5 career interceptions. Top 10 NFL prospect at position for 2018 draft. Played for Bo Pelini, every game of the 2014 seasons. – 4th year Player
SS – Aaron Williams – 14 Career Starts – 50 career tackles and 10 tackles for loss in 2 seasons. 3rd year in program – only ever played for Mike Riley.
FS – Josh Kalu – 28 total starts (9 at Nickel, 19 at CB) – most experienced scholarship player on the roster. – 2015 All Big Ten HM. 168 career tackles. 21 career Pass break ups, and 4 INTs – 4th year player. Only defensive player left on roster to have started game for Bo Pelini.
CB – Lamar Jackson – 1 career start – Youngest starter on defensive side of the ball – 2nd year in program. –former top 100 player. 17 tackles, 1 sack and 2 tackles for Loss as a True Freshman. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
Other players of Note:
- OLB Luke Gifford – 1 career Start (injury plagued career) – 4th year in the program. Signed as a 195 lb. Safety, but now looks like a Greek God (No homo) 6’3 235. Should see extensive minutes and could unseat Newby. Diaco wants his Weak side primary pass rushing OLB to be a long and rangy athlete like Alex Davis. One has to ask the question though, If Davis isn’t the answer and the guys behind him are too raw, then why don’t you move Gifford to that side instead of having him split time with Newby? Just my thought… and I’m no Diaco or Bray. – Gifford has only ever played for Mike Riley
- S Kieron Williams – 9 career Starts (has played in 39 career games) – 4th year in program. Look for Williams to log a lot of snaps when Nebraska goes to the Nickel. Kalu will probably move down to the Nickel while Williams and Williams man the back of the defense. Kieron has terrific ball skills and instincts when the ball is in the air. But he’s not great in pursuit or in man coverage.
- Should be noted that NONE of the above players have ever played a single game snap in the current scheme.
OFFENSE:
LT Nick Gates – 23 Career Starts ( 10 at RT) – 4-Star, ESPN100, Rivals 250. 3rd Team All Big Ten, All Big Ten Freshman Team, 2015 All Bowl Team, All Big Ten HM – Loved by all fans on RSS until he had one bad game. Now RSS thinks he sucks and in the Spirit of RSS Absolutes, he is now the worst Offensive tackle in Nebraska History. – 4th Year in Program. Has only ever played for Mike Rily.
LG – Jerald Foster – 3 career starts – former US Army All American – Heavily recruited out of HS. – Slated to be the starter all of 2016 offseason and into Fall Camp. Robbed of the opportunity due to injury. – 4th year in program, but only ever played for Mike Riley.
C- Cole Conrad – 5 career starts (all at RT) – former walk on – Made 1st Collegiate Start at Ohio State and somehow refrained from shitting his pants. 4th year in program. Has only ever played for Mike Riley.
RG- Tanner Farmer – 11 career starts – Arguably Nebraska’s most talented offensive linemen. – Former 4-Star top 100 player. Should push for All-Conference accolades in 2017. -4th year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
RT- David Knevel – 8 career starts – Never really developed consistency due to an ankle injury. Played best game vs. Oregon, but also suffered injury in that game. Will need to stay healthy in order to take next step and shore up that side of the line. 5th year in program. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
TE- Tyler Hoppes – 0 career starts – has never caught a pass at Nebraska. He once scored a touchdown at Wayne State, in 2013 – Lowest recruited and least experienced starting TE in the Big Ten. – 4th year w/ Nebraska. Has only ever played for Mike Riley.
WR- Demornay Pierson- El – 13 career starts – Freshman All American Returner – Only really played 5 games in 2015 and was slowed coming back in 2016 due to foot and knee injuries. – 4th year w/ program. Only scholarship offensive player to have started a game for Bo Pelini.
WR- Stanley Morgan, Jr – 14 career starts – Big Ten All Freshman team in ’15. Former 4-Star. Has 58 career catches. – 3rd year player. Only played for Mike Riley.
QB – Tanner Lee – 0 career starts (20 career starts at Tulane) – once sacked or taken to the ground 12 times before halftime in a game vs. Temple as a sophomore. Played Scout Team QB for Nebraska in 2016. 5th season in college football. 2nd season at Nebraska. Has only played for Mike Riley.
FB – Luke McNitt – 2 career starts – Exceptional Athlete who once scored a touchdown via pass, rush, and reception in one D2 game while playing QB for UNK in 2014. Also former Class A discus and Shot put champ. Strongest player on the team. 4th year with Huskers. Has only played for Mike Riley.
RB – Tre Bryant – 0 career starts – Former St. Louis HS player of the Year. Missouri 6A All State Unanimous Selection – BUT terrible according to Rivals.com. 43 carries for 172 yards, 2 TDs. Also caught 7 passes out of the backfield and had a dynamic 35 yard TD catch vs. Minnesota. Added a 59 yard KOR vs. Purdue. 2nd year at Nebraska, has only played for Mike Riley.
Slot – Keyan Williams – 0 career starts (0 games played) Transfer from Fresno State. – Slated to start in the Slot when Nebraska uses a 1- back set. Caught 7 passes for 34 yards in 2014 at Fresno. Coaches Son. 2nd year at Nebraska. Has only played for Mike Riley at Nebraska.
Slot – JD Spielman – 0 career starts. KW is listed as #1 on the depth chart at this time. Even with the love of his position coach, I’m not sure that will last. Former Minnesota HS Player of The year was a dynamic playmaker in HS drawing comparisons to Darren Sproles. It’s difficult to believe he won’t be the starter early in the season. 2nd year in program. Has only played for Mike Riley.
Other players of Note:
- Slot/ Returner Tyjion Lindsey – 0 starts, Nebraska’s highest rated offensive skill player recruit since Marlon Lucky. Top 100 recruit who chose Huskers over Ohio State. Should play early. Tyjion also has versatily to play on the boundary. – Will only play for Mike Riley. Never even heard of Bo Pelini.
- RB Devine Ozigbo – 2 career starts – 621 career rushing yards and 6 TDs. 10 catches in career for 162 yards. – 3rd year in program – only played for Mike Riley. ( Also recruited by Wisconsin and Iowa out of HS)
- RB Mikale Wilbon – 0 Career starts – averaged 5.2 yards per carry over career, but has only carried the ball 24 times in 2 seasons. Also averages 10 yards per catch on 6 career receptions. Heavily recruited 4-Star out of HS, was Chicagoland HS Player of the Year in 2013. Career has been underwhelming so far. Only played for Mike Riley. – 4th year in PROGRAM.
- PICK A TIGHT END – Ketter – 0 STARTS – Englehaupt – 0 starts, Matt Snyder – 0 Starts, Jack Stoll, 0 Starts, Kurt Rafdal? 0 Starts (might be the wildcard)
- C Michael Decker – 0 Career starts – Built for the Big Ten but has not taken the reiqns on the Starting Spot. Could see time at Center if he can beat out Conrad, or if Conrad is needing to play another position. – 3rd year at Nebraska. Only ever played for Mike Riley.
The Huskers have 6 projected offensive starters who have started games, 7 if you include the FB.
The Huskers have 10 defensive starters who have started games, 11 if Nebraska goes Nickel
There are ONLY 2 remaining Starters on the roster who actually started games for Bo Pelini.
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