Next Priority: Rebuilding the Defense
Nebraska's recent postseason experience left some big questions defensively. One regret Bo Pelini expressed as he announced his latest recruiting class was, "The one mistake I did make is that I didn't play some of the (young) kids more". "We're going to fire our guns next year". "I told every kid that I looked at in recruiting 'Get your butt ready to play.' Because that's going to be our mind-set. We're going to try to get each one of these kids ready to play." "We're going to try to use every ounce of depth that we have. Like I said, our mind-set, like it always is, is to go win them all. There are a number of these young men who could be a big part of that." So now that Nebraska brings in a new class, as well as a number of players who redshirted in 2012. What will the defense look like?
Defensive Line
It starts up front. Once Baker Steinkuhler went down in the last game of the regular season, the whole defense appeared to take a big step backward. You're starting front four for next year (based on playing time so far) would appear to have Jason Ankrah starting at one defensive end spot, Thad Randle (though he's recovering in Spring) at defensive tackle, Kevin Williams as the other tackle, and perhaps Avery Moss playing the other end. On the interior, your top backups might be Aaron Curry and Vincent Valentine. Behind them, Jay Guy and Tobi Okuyemi return. The true freshmen will be Maliek Collins and Kevin Maurice. Having a veteran like Chase Rome back would surely have helped considerably, but it was announced yesterday that he'll leave the program. The top backups at end might be Greg McMullen and Walker Ashburn. Donovan Vestal also returns. In a perfect world, juco defensive end recruit Randy Gregory would redshirt. That may not happen. Three true freshman ends arrive too in A.J. Natter, Dimarya Mixon, and Ernest Suttles
Linebacker
The linebacking corps must find three new starters and depth behind them. Max Pirman, Trevor Roach, and David Santos might be the favorites to start. Last year's class at linebacker should also join the mix including the healing juco transfer Zaire Anderson, and freshmen Thomas Brown, Michael Rose and Jared Afalava. Courtney Love has a head start both physically and in terms of preparation as an early arriving true freshman. Marcus Newby and Josh Banderas would ideally redshirt but either or both could be called upon this year.
Secondary
Nebraska's loaded with veteran cornerbacks. Ciante Evans, Andrew Green, Josh Mitchell, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Mo Seisay, Charles Jackson, and Daniel Davie have all seen snaps for NU. Transfer Jonathan Rose played nine games at Auburn after being a top recruit in 2011. It seems likely they can redshirt Joseph Boaz though his size and physicality will make him an appealing contributor.
Safety is another story. Harvey Jackson, Corey Cooper and Wil Richards are the only players with experience. The early arrival of true freshman D.J. Singleton could make him a candidate to contribute. LeRoy Alexander comes off of a redshirt year as well. The safety responsibilities are probably complex enough that neither true freshman Drake Martinez nor Nathan Gerry would be ready this season. Instead more depth would have to come by poaching cornerbacks (or wide receivers).
That's an awful lot to replace. Virtually the entire front seven plus your starting safeties. The new recruits certainly help, but chances are most of the contributions will come from returning players.
2/7/2013
Drake isn’t getting a lot of hype, but he played multiple positions, including kick returns and even fullback, and he played them well. I would not be surprised to see him on the field in special teams, and thus also at safety before the end of the season. He’s got Taylor’s speed and he plays tough.
2/7/2013
IF they can find the right combination of players at safety, I’m enthusiastic about what Nebraska can have in the defensive backfield next year. As you wrote, NU has a lot of corners. I would not be shocked at all to see Charles Jackson playing at one of those safety spots. Oh, and write me down as somebody predicting the early emergence of DJ Singleton. He does certain things near the line of scrimmage that these coaches want in a strong safety. The lack of good “run fit” last year was a nightmare at times, and led to a lot of big running plays.
2/7/2013
Along the defensive line - It’s interesting to hear Pelini talk about Thad Randle at the presser yesterday. He likes him as a player and person. His return to health is critical. After that, I think it is the year of the talented newcomers up front. New players I suspect will play a lot (in this order) - Valentine, McMullen, Curry and Gregory.
They liked Curry enough to play him early last season. Pelini regrets not playing Valentine last year. McMullen looks like the real-deal physically. Gregory will be a specialty-type edge rusher, maybe even standing up as an outside guy in a 3-4 scheme.
2/7/2013
And, hey, lets call a spade a spade here - its not like last year’s defense was amazing. They had good performances. But, things came “unglued” far too much and they gave up some of the all-time worst performances. That stats don’t lie.
So, an influx of new players might be a good RX for improving. It’s not just their talent level, but a blank slate in terms of teaching and/or attitude.
NC, USA
2/7/2013
Here is an interesting fact. The 1995 Nebraska National Championship team gave up 0 sacks all year long.
2/7/2013
Here is another interesting fact it’s 2013, 1995 was 18 years ago
Big Apple
2/7/2013
DL will probably be more or less a nailbiting repeat of the last few years. Since Suh left, that part of the D has been dicey, with the pass rush being conspicuous by it’s absence. On paper, it appears we have more talent and depth, but there will be a learning curve for the newbies and there is no one even close to being a difference maker among the veterans.
LBs I am excited about as we have many talented players coming in to fill those spots and I think their talent might compensate for lack of experience until they get up to speed.
CB position should be fine and, yes, the safety position will be a bit shakey, but we have alot of bodies to mix and match there.
Overall, by mid season, at least, the Blackshirts should be a better crew than they were in ‘12.
Big Apple
2/7/2013
@dkdevine:
“Here is an interesting fact. The 1995 Nebraska National Championship team gave up 0 sacks all year long.”
I remember that stat. Oh, the good ol’ days…
Big Apple
2/7/2013
@Ballfield78,
I agree. From what I have seen on film, we will be confusing DMagic with Tmagic in short order. The kid is a gamer!
NC, USA
2/7/2013
@John,
Showing how far we need to go to get to a championship caliber O-Line has no time limit. Last interesting fact is how stupid you look stating that it was 15 years ago.
Big Apple
2/7/2013
Gregory’s going to have to hit the weight room and training table real hard this off season or he will be pushed around like a rag doll next year.
Austin, TX
2/7/2013
I think the best help for the defense next year will be the schedule. I would consider it somewhat soft until November (other than the home game against UCLA). Not to overlook anyone, but in all reality it should provide some time for guys to develop before the meat of the schedule appears.
2/7/2013
I think our D will be awesome in 2013 because we have people in the system from last season who will add a lot to the D especially the Dline.
2/8/2013
So @dkdevine I’m stupid because you cannot read
NC, USA
2/8/2013
@John,
No, you’re stupid because you don’t understand how comparing championship caliber teams to current teams shows how close or how far we are from that type of team.
NC, USA
2/8/2013
@John,
Stating the blatantly obvious like you did is an obvious attempt to say “get over the 90’s”. That’s fine…I’ve been over them for some time. But I do compare teams of today to teams from then AND from the 1980’s AND from the 1970’s that were good for the Huskers. I feel it’s good to compare your existing to the ‘championship’ ones.
If all you were doing is stating something obvious for the sake of stating it…you shouldn’t bother. It accomplishes nothing and is a waste of your time and those reading your comment. It’s also annoying and requires 0 thought and intelligence to post.
2/8/2013
To be Fair the 1995 team didnt have to throw the ball, they just ran over everybody and therefore didnt have many opportunities to give up a sack..
We only had 228 attempts that year, most after play action fakes..This year we had almost 400 ..
But yes to have those lines back would be great..
2/9/2013
I don’t doubt that we have new talent coming at the defensive tackle position. It still seems thin to me when you take into account injuries. And there will be injuries. I hope the walkon pipeline might provide some relief there.
San Diego, Ca.
2/9/2013
Jackson and Cooper are now 4th year Juniors. Cooper in particular, was highly rated as a recruit. I mean, if they won’t be ready, 3 seasons, 3 springs, all that training, coaching, chow, then when?
Tipping the scales at 320 or more, Vincent Valentine must “get his butt ready” like how Bo wants his newbies to.
So much opportunity, so much to prove out, for everybody.
Something cool about “Drake Mart” coming in, is, you’ll somewhat get to see what TMagic might’ve been like, in the back 7. For him to observe what his brother has endured, and still sign up, speaks well of Pelini’s relationships with both brothers and their dad. Interesting though, that the offer was on the table for a while, then Bo finally has to ask Drake to commit, already.
Big Apple
2/9/2013
Drake has more magic @ RB than safety, from what I’ve seen of his high school film. His big bro has put at least 3 4*, top ten dual threat QBs on the bench @ NU, wouldn’t surprise me at all if Drake did the same @ RB—if given the chance. He’s got the “magic gene”.
Looks like the team’s area of greatest need is safety, though, so that’s probably where he’ll end up.
Big Apple
2/9/2013
Also, Drake is a bit bigger as a recruit than TMart was and therefore should be bigger when “fully grown”. He as fast at around 4.4, looks tougher, and has a bit more shake and bake. Good possiblilty he’s not as fumble prone either.
2/10/2013
BO-urne…I’m with you. Can’t wait to see Drake the snake flying down the field with jockstraps left in his wake. Let’s hope Beck can figure out how to get him on the field along with our new rb’s…this could (am I dreaming?) be another 1983 like season…csan’t help myself…excited as hell thinking about the possibilities…let’s have a Bud…
San Diego, Ca.
2/10/2013
Robert,
I finally saw D Magic’s highlights and it was, my, very impressive. Quick, fast and powerful at point of contact. In that Cal HS division he’s a man among boys. Anything you want- strong running, INTs, block punts and kicks, blowing up fake FGs, too many long runs, offensively and from INTs on the D, to count.
Two funny plays were, when on a short punt return, everybody’s standing around and he quickly goes in, scoots it up and takes it back. Another, he fumbles across midfield, the ball rolls about 23 yards, with defenders around, and again, he nabs it back and takes it in. Definitely tough, against surfers!
Don’t know how he’ll project out, but, looks like he can play wherever he wants.
Big Apple
2/10/2013
@ Cappy, Skippy(?)—Yes, he runs with the greatest of ease. I was maybe the 1st to point this out on another blog, ‘bout a month ago, and was met with the usual dissent and blow back from the usual “know-it-alls”. But some of those peeps thought SJB should be moved to DE(LMAO) and think Cethan Carter will be used at OT(LMFAO) even though, IMO, CC is a hella, HELLA, TE, from the same mold as Jr Miller and J Mitchell. Theses very same peeps—a few that are self proclaimed recruiting “experts” also thought DMart would never sign. Just shows to go ya.
@ Greg, that blocked punt-scoop-up-6 is maybe the funniest play I have ever seen and a true indication of the “Magic” that awaits us. Ya can’t coach “Magic”. The kid is a baller, long strider with some juke and toughs, makes it look easy. Also characteristically let’s up about 5 yds at the end of runs to piss off defenders just like big bro’—that, also, must be genetic.
Big Apple
2/10/2013
Introducing: “The Supremez”
Photo montage of Class of ‘13 assimilated and formulated by yours truly—DO enjoy!
https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/7051180800/hA831AFDD/
Big Apple
2/10/2013
^ Who will lead us to:
https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/7050606080/h13B3CECF/
2/11/2013
Actually, that last sentence is very depressing…basically our defense this season has to rely on the secondary we had last year - and there wasn’t much spectacular play from any of them - and all the rest of the team is going to be made up of a few players that are already here, but primarily red shirt freshmen and true freshmen. Not an appetizing thought at all, especially in light of the fact that last years defense was the worst in program history, or very close to it.
Lets hope we can coach a lot of these guys up quick and hope there are individuals who maybe haven’t played yet, but who are going to step up and become the next Nebraska legends. I hope it happens soon though as the next season is only 7 months away. Not a lot of time to hobble together a defense made up of few veterans and a lot of freshmen.
Big Apple
2/11/2013
@ PE
Passing Defense 2012:
1) Nebraska
Mitchell, Green, Evans, SJB, Mo Seisay and I can’t think of the other guy right now, but we’re fairly deep @ CB. Safety, we’ve got a few bodies, but there is relative inexperience there.
2/11/2013
@BO-urne: Antonio Bell? Kicked off team, was Sr last year anyway. Maybe you’re thinking of Charles Jackson? Jonathan Rose?
Safety - Corey Cooper, Harvey Jackson returning. No idea who Wil Richards is.
2/11/2013
I’m thinking they could move one of the corners to safety.
Big Apple
2/11/2013
@Ballfield
I would think SJB would be good ! safety, and yes, J Rose and C Jackson @ CB. Harvey Jackson, Cooper @ safety. DJ Singleton could see some quality time @ safety this year too and maybe Dixon. Plenty of bodies, actually.
Hartford SD
2/12/2013
Passing defence #1? The Bulldogs had the long ball play that whole game. These new recruits look good but what does that matter when you have a coaching staff thats confuced as much as this one. The good picks will eventually wake up and want out.
2/13/2013
Happy Fat Tuesday Husker nation. I’m giving up crying and moaning about everything football related.
As for the Huskers D. Bo knows (and he admitted as much) that he should have pulled the redshirts off of possibly Curry and definatly Valentine when Steinkuler went down, but the decision was made to keep them on. Would have? Could have? We will never know, but one thing I feel is certain, next years front 7 will be the talk of the B1G. It isn’t even spring and I can hardly wait. GBR!!
2/17/2013
At times our defense looked like the worst defense in NU history—- especially the WI game. However, I think if you look at the entire season they came together and played at a pedestrian level—not the level we have been accustomed too, not a blackshirt D, but we did win some games. I think the front four as a unit and the LB crew as a unit were a disappointment last season. If we can find one or two game changers at DL and LB that would make a huge difference next season.