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Garrett Nelson - OLB or DE?

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HuskerLove

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Sep 22, 2018
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I just watched Nelson's film and it seems to me like he's perfectly suited to play DE in our defense. His sideline speed doesn't wow me, but his ability to rush the passer from the LOS is impressive. Plus, if he's truly sitting at 235 lbs right now, with his 6'3" frame he should be able to put on another 30 - 40 lbs and not lose a step.

Or do you think the staff purposefully tries to keeps him around 235 because they want him as an OLB? Thoughts??
 
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HominidHusker

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Jun 25, 2018
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I would also add that Nelson’s contribution on the field is only half the equation. He’s going to be a hype man getting his teammates to max out their potential. Much needed energy on/off the field.
 
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Dean Pope

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2001
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HuskerLove1 said:
I just watched Nelson's film and it seems to me like he's perfectly suited to play DE in our defense. His sideline speed doesn't wow me, but his ability to rush the passer from the LOS is impressive. Plus, if he's truly sitting at 235 lbs right now, with his 6'3" frame he should be able to put on another 30 - 40 lbs and not lose a step.

Or do you think the staff purposefully tries to keeps him around 235 because they want him as an OLB? Thoughts??
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Nelson is an edge, whether it be a 4-3 defensive end or outside linebacker who rushes from a two point stance. Either way, this kid has a fantastic motor. He'll be an upgrade as an outside pass rusher and much more physical off the edge. Great burst up field. He can pressure from the outside. He won't have that elite speed off the edge, but I think he makes up for it in technique and effort. Yet, he'll be physical & strong enough to move inside or stunt inside. And I think he'll be very good with containment with the outside run and being able to disengage from blockers.

I just hope that they don't ask him to do things that he doesn't do well or wasn't even that great at at the high school level. Namely, covering backs out of the backfield and playing out in space covering the flat. The move up in competition is a big one, especially from a Nebraska high school. If he's asked to do what he does best, I think he could play as early as next season.
 
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Kakdawg

Kakdawg

Heisman
Sep 8, 2004
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Dean Pope said:
Nelson is an edge, whether it be a 4-3 defensive end or outside linebacker who rushes from a two point stance. Either way, this kid has a fantastic motor. He'll be an upgrade as an outside pass rusher and much more physical off the edge. Great burst up field. He can pressure from the outside. He won't have that elite speed off the edge, but I think he makes up for it in technique and effort. Yet, he'll be physical & strong enough to move inside or stunt inside. And I think he'll be very good with containment with the outside run and being able to disengage from blockers.

I just hope that they don't ask him to do things that he doesn't do well or wasn't even that great at at the high school level. Namely, covering backs out of the backfield and playing out in space covering the flat. The move up in competition is a big one, especially from a Nebraska high school. If he's asked to do what he does best, I think he could play as early as next season.
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Covering flats or RBs in space is part of the job description of being a 3-4 OLB. Im not sure how he gets around that .

I think Nelson is a tweener myself. Not quite athletic enough as an OLB in this defense but also not quite long enough for what the coaches want in their DEs.

Ill be interested to see how and where he plays.


Holla
 
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HominidHusker

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Wondering if he’d ever work out better as ILB?? We got several in this class already but we also don’t have many/any underclassmen on the roster. I could see Henrich or Hannah switching spots with Nelson.
 
Kakdawg

Kakdawg

Heisman
Sep 8, 2004
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HominidHusker said:
Wondering if he’d ever work out better as ILB?? We got several in this class already but we also don’t have many/any underclassmen on the roster. I could see Henrich or Hannah switching spots with Nelson.
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Hannah could easily play OLB. Not sure if Nelson could play ILB or not. I expect Hannah to play a little of both and be a very good player very soon.


Holla
 
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Headcard

Headcard

Heisman
Feb 2, 2005
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I think he would make a good boxer, Tommy Morrison 2.0, but that is 100% based on his hair.
 
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Dean Pope

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kakdawg said:
Covering flats or RBs in space is part of the job description of being a 3-4 OLB. Im not sure how he gets around that .

I think Nelson is a tweener myself. Not quite athletic enough as an OLB in this defense but also not quite long enough for what the coaches want in their DEs.

Ill be interested to see how and where he plays.


Holla
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I'm not a defensive mastermind, but over the years I've seen outside LB's who primarily rushed the passer and seldom got exposed out in no man's land chasing a back on a wheel route or moving out to cover a WR or slot. Namely the Steelers with Kevin Greene, Jason Gildon, and others. Baltimore did the same thing with some of their guys. But that would be a philosophical thing-- NU would have to have several others to play that role. Chinander isn't going to change a scheme to accommodate one recruit.
 
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Kakdawg

Kakdawg

Heisman
Sep 8, 2004
35,396
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Dean Pope said:
I'm not a defensive mastermind, but over the years I've seen outside LB's who primarily rushed the passer and seldom got exposed out in no man's land chasing a back on a wheel route or moving out to cover a WR or slot. Namely the Steelers with Kevin Greene, Jason Gildon, and others. Baltimore did the same thing with some of their guys. But that would be a philosophical thing-- NU would have to have several others to play that role. Chinander isn't going to change a scheme to accommodate one recruit.
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Im a steelers fan so i remember the Gildons and Greene OLBs...along with the Lloyds, Porters and Woodleys etc.

One thing to remember is how much the game has changed since then. Its virtually impossible to "hide" a guy on defense now. Offensively the league has really advanced since those days. The game now is simply based on getting mismatches.

The reason a guy like James Harrison didnt play much during his last year was really for the same reason. He was horrible in coverage and the DC simply would have to give up much of his playbook in order to keep him on the field. So we instead played lesser pass rushers like Dupree because hes more flexible and able to do more things.

In obvious pass rush downs sure u can hide a guy but full time offenses wont allow it.


Holla
 
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TheBeav815

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Coverage is the question with him. His motor is undeniable. No brainier as a 4-3 DE, we will see what he ends up doing in this scheme.
 
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WestCoastCornhusker2

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Oct 12, 2016
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kakdawg said:
Covering flats or RBs in space is part of the job description of being a 3-4 OLB. Im not sure how he gets around that .

I think Nelson is a tweener myself. Not quite athletic enough as an OLB in this defense but also not quite long enough for what the coaches want in their DEs.

Ill be interested to see how and where he plays.


Holla
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This is what I'm afraid of, he will have to gain 60 lbs of muscle without losing any more speed, a tall task. No speed can't play OLB.
 
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Anon1724521280

All-Conference
Aug 3, 2012
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He ain’t going to win the Butkus Award playing DE. He’s an OLB. He’ll play at 245-255 lbs. IMO.
 
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