Blankenship Ships Out
The defensive end position, which had looked like perhaps the deepest position on the team, lost some depth with the departure of Adam Blankenship. Blankenship joined the Huskers in 2004 as part or the transitional recruiting class from Solich to Callahan. While Blankenship was recruited by John Blake, it's not clear whether he would have been targeted by the Callahan regime if they'd had the full season in which to recruit.
Toward the end of spring practice, Blankenship was moved to middle linebacker, a spot that has few options beyond the top two names on the depth chart (but those names are standout Corey McKeon and blue-chip prospect Phillip Dillard). With likely only limited appearances ahead in 2006, Blankenship opted to depart before what would have been his sophomore year.
Recently named "Defensive End U" by Rivals.com, Nebraska had produced a number of standout defensive ends over the past decade. Seniors Jay Moore and Adam Carriker are both likely to be drafted in 2007, and are sure starters (barring injury) in the Fall. The two sophomores-to-be recruited in 2005, Zach Potter and Barry Turner both appear likely to earn spots as backups that get on the field every week. Both players would seem likely to become starters at some point in their careers at Nebraska. Freshmen Pierre Allen and Mike Smith are also due to arrive in the Fall to add some competition to the defensive end spots. Add to that walk-ons Kevin Luhrs (who cracked the two-deep in 2005) and Andy Poulosky (who managed two tackles for losses in the Spring game) and things get even more crowded. Nebraska also has a lot of tight ends on scholarship that could conceivably be moved to defense too. Linebacker Dontrell Moore had lined up at defensive end in the Alamo Bowl as well. The Huskers have plenty of options so it would be easy to get lost in the shuffle.
Blankenship was not the sole defensive end to arrive in 2004. Ty Steinkuhler was also brought in initially as a defensive end but moved to defensive tackle this Spring (and seems likely to be featured regularly there in the Fall). Chris Patrick was recruited in 2003 as a rush end but moved to offense to help shore up the offensive line and is penciled in to start at left tackle.
The Huskers don't seem content to stand pat at the position either. Scout.com reports the Huskers have already extended 6 scholarship offers to defensive ends around the country for next season. One in particular, L.A.'s Akeem Ayers is reportedly highly interested in Nebraska (but also seems to like UCLA).
Nebraska will most likely be fine without Blankenship but the idea of getting him in the mix at linebacker (where Nebraska will be losing much to graduation after 2007) would have really addressed a critical need down the road. Blankenship's departure is said to be about playing time. I have a hard time faulting guys who leave in order to get on the field, even if it does leave the team thin. Nevertheless, I hate to see him go. If the Huskers don't find good replacements for linebackers like Bradley, McKeon, Ruud, Octavien, and Brandenburgh, they could well be sunk in 2008.
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