Juco Transfers Must Learn Fast at Defensive Tackle

March 14, 2007 by Steve Hanway

The Huskers come into spring, as every team does, with some starting positions to fill. Outside of quarterback, no hole is as likely to be dependent on newcomers as the defensive tackle spots.

When Bill Callahan gave his signing day press conference to announce the 2007 recruiting class, he made a point of mentioning how hard good defensive tackles are to find. Not surprisingly, those positions are also ones where Nebraska has had to rely on junior college players.

Now that Callahan and company are mostly out of "stop the bleeding" mode when it comes to recruiting, they no longer need to grab junior college players to field a competitive team. Instead, they only go the junior college route where they find an exceptional talent (like Maurice Purify) or where they have a pressing need. In the case of the tackle spots, it's less the former and more of the latter. Translation - they need these guys to play right away.

In every game, the Huskers want to use at least four defensive tackles. Only one of those four spots is locked up going into spring (by Ndamukong Suh). Brandon Johnson, a junior college transfer a year ago, will have his first spring to get ready to contribute. Thankfully, Shukree Barfield is already on campus and can use the spring to prepare as well. It seems very likely that one or both of these guys will be needed in the four-man rotation, if not to start.

Ty Steinkuhler is sure to play on the defensive line, but indications have been that they'd like to move him into the rotation at defensive end. In order to have that luxury, at least one of the juco players will have to be ready because only two other scholarship players are returning on the inside. Both Craig Roark and Seth Jensen are underclassmen and one or both may still need more time to develop physically before they can join the rotation.

What about the tackles arriving in the fall? Don't count on it. History tells us that players need to participate in spring football in order to really know what's going on. Beyond that there are questions about academic eligibility for one or more of the tackles. In the case of Jospeh Townsend, there's also the question of whether Nebraska really wants him at tackle. There's been some talk of him playing defensive end instead.

So Johnson and Barfield would seem vital to filling out the defensive tackle rotation in 2007. In fact, I'd expect one to emerge as a starter alongside Suh. And then there's (heaven forbid), the possibility of injuries thrusting them both onto the field. So keep your eye on these guys in the Spring, because they might be Nebraska's best hope to stay strong on the defensive line.

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