Breaking down the defensive line
Note: This is a guest post from Bill in Iowa who is a frequent BRN commenter. If you'd like to take a crack at writing a guest post, drop us a line.
Fall camp is starting and everyone is worried about the d-line...including me. I was looking at the roster list on Huskers.com and decided to break down the d-line based on what I think the coaches are saying.
Caveat: I assume that nothing on Huskers.com roster gets printed without a coach's approval.
Open Defensive End
Junior Barry Turner is expected to be a key performer for the Nebraska Blackshirt defense in 2007 after establishing himself as a play-maker during his first two seasons. Turner missed spring ball after off-season shoulder surgery, but is expected to be at full strength for the fall. He will battle fellow junior Clayton Sievers for the starting job at the open end spot, replacing three-year starter Jay Moore. The 6-3, 270-pound Turner has an excellent combination of size and speed that allows him to pressure opposing quarterbacks. He played in all 14 games last season as a reserve end, and as an impact athlete on special teams.
Junior Clayton Sievers (6-4, 255), has proven himself as a versatile performer during his career at Nebraska. Sievers was a key contributor at tight end in 2005, before switching to defense and making an impact as a reserve linebacker last season. Sievers also spent time at defensive end and was part of NU's goal-line defensive unit. The 6-4, 245-pound Sievers settled in at defensive end during spring practice and is a candidate for a starting job as the Huskers look to replace departed seniors Adam Carriker and Jay Moore. Sievers is also expected to continue to excel as a key member of several Nebraska special teams units.
Andy Poulosky, (6-2, 255) has served as a valuable reserve on the defensive front during his Nebraska career, while also seeing action on special teams. This season, Poulosky will make a push to earn playing time for a Nebraska defensive line....Poulosky enters the fall listed behind juniors Clayton Sievers and Barry Turner at the open end position.
The 6-4, 255-pound David Harvey began his career as a tight end, but has moved to defensive end. He enters fall camp listed as a reserve behind Clayton Sievers and Barry Turner at the open end.
Defensive Tackle
Junior Ty Steinkuhler has made a solid impact in a key reserve role on the defensive line each of the past two seasons. This fall, the second-generation Husker will be counted on for a much greater impact as Nebraska replaces all four starters on the defensive front. The 6-3, 285-pound Steinkuhler appears to be up to the challenge. He has outstanding strength and good athleticism for a defensive lineman. Steinkuhler will head into the fall as the projected starter at defensive tackle, but could also see action on the outside at defensive end.
Redshirt freshman Ben Martin (6-4, 270) enters fall camp hoping to earn playing time on the Husker defensive front after Nebraska lost all four senior starters to graduation following last season. The 6-4, 270-pound Martin spent last season at defensive end, but worked on the interior during spring ball. He enters the fall listed as a reserve behind fellow Lincoln Southwest product Ty Steinkuhler at defensive tackle, but Martin could move back outside if needed. Martin redshirted in 2006.
Senior Kevin Luhrs 6-1 270 (pronounced lures) hopes to return to full health this fall and make an impact on a re-tooled Nebraska defensive line. Luhrs provided outstanding depth for the Huskers at defensive end in 2005, but injuries kept him on the sidelines throughout the 2006 campaign. An Omaha native, Luhrs is expected to line up inside this fall, where Nebraska will look to replace Barry Cryer and Ola Dagunduro. The 6-1, 270-pounder could also see action at end
Nose Tackle
Sophomore defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (pronounced En-dom-ah-ken Soo) emerged as a key reserve last fall and this spring showed he is ready to become a dominant force for the Blackshirts. At 6-4 and 305 pounds, Suh is a powerful force on the interior capable of being a run-stopper and also pressuring the passer. Suh will enter fall camp listed as Nebraska's top nose tackle, and he will be asked to help anchor a defensive front that must replace all four starters.
Senior Brandon Johnson, (6-3, 315) served in a reserve role in the Nebraska defensive line in 2006, but is poised to earn more playing time this fall. Johnson hopes to help fill the void in the interior left by the graduation of Barry Cryer and Ola Dagunduro. The 6-3, 315-pound Johnson is expected to help man the nose tackle position, where he is penciled in behind sophomore Ndamukong Suh.
Defensive tackle Shukree (shu-KREE) Barfield (6-4, 310) joined the Nebraska program in January and enters fall camp with hopes of making an immediate impact with the Huskers. Barfield should make a push to be part of Nebraska's regular rotation on the interior defensive front, where the Huskers graduated starters Ola Dagunduro and Barry Cryer following the 2006 campaign. Barfield has outstanding size at 6-4 and 310 pounds, combined with good strength and athleticism. He and talented sophomore Ndamukong Suh both lined up at nose tackle during spring practice and the duo should make that position a strength for the Huskers.
Base Defensive End
Junior Zach Potter will face one of the biggest challenges for the Huskers this season, as he will have the opportunity to replace first-round draft pick Adam Carriker as the starting base end. The 6-7, 280-pound Potter has the size to step into the position that Carriker held down for each of the past three seasons. Potter has seen valuable repetitions as a reserve the past two seasons, but will be asked to take his game to the next level this fall.
Pierre Allen (6-5, 265) will line up at base end and along with junior Zach Potter is a candidate for significant playing time. Both players will have the difficult task of replacing graduated senior Adam Carriker
Junior Ty Steinkuhler will head into the fall as the projected starter at defensive tackle, but could also see action on the outside at defensive end.
Senior Kevin Luhrs (6-1, 270) (pronounced lures) Luhrs is expected to line up inside this fall...could also see action at end.
Redshirt freshman Ben Martin: The 6-4, 270-pound Martin spent last season at defensive end, but worked on the interior during spring ball. He enters the fall listed as a reserve behind fellow Lincoln Southwest product Ty Steinkuhler at defensive tackle, but Martin could move back outside if needed.
Unanswered Questions
Kevin Dixon (6-3, 295) is one of two defensive line standouts from Garden City (Kan.) Community College in the Huskers' 2007 signing class, joining teammate Shukree Barfield. A native of Vero Beach, Fla., Dixon is one of seven defensive line signees in this year's class and one of six players to join the Husker program from the junior college ranks. Dixon and Barfield come to Nebraska from a school with past connections with the Huskers. Among the Garden City products to join the Husker program were Kareem Moss and Eric Alford, who both went on to professional careers. Dixon has two seasons of eligibility with the Huskers.
Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Seth Jensen is part of a group of young defensive linemen who will make a push for playing time during fall camp. The defensive front lost all four starters to graduation including defensive tackles Barry Cryer and Ola Dagunduro. The 6-3, 295-pound Jensen has yet to fully show his ability at Nebraska as a result of injuries. Jensen did not participate in contact work during spring practice following off-season shoulder surgery.
Editor's Note: Thanks to Bill in Iowa for sending us this analysis. If you'd like to take a crack at writing a guest post, drop us a line.
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