LB's and Secondary Spring preview...

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/spring-preview-linebacker-93
Projected spring depth chart
Outside linebacker

1 - Tyrin Ferguson

2 - Alex Davis

3 - Joseph Johnson

OR Garrett Nelson

Inside linebacker

1 - Mohamed Barry

2 - Nick Henrich

Inside linebacker

1 - Will Honas
OR Collin Miller

Outside linebacker

1 - Caleb Tannor

2 - Breon Dixon

3 - David Alston

Notable: Pernell Jefferson, Quayshon Alexander, Chris Cassidy, Jordan Paup, Simon Otte
With spring practice beginning next week, HuskerOnline.com will take an in-depth look at each position with our 2019 spring position previews.

Today we continue by analyzing and breaking down Nebraska's linebacker position heading into spring practice.

Previous position previews: QB | RB | WR/TE | OL | DL

What we know right: Barry will anchor this group
When you look at Nebraska's linebacker position going into the spring, it's eye-opening how many snaps senior Mohamed Barry played in 2018, compared to what the rest of NU's returning linebackers took this past season.

Barry saw 786 defensive snaps while the other returning seven linebackers that saw action took just 861.

After Barry's 786 snaps, Tyrin Ferguson played 290, Alex Davis 253, Caleb Tannor 129, Will Honas 112 and Collin Miler 64 this past season.

Both Ferguson and Honas would've seen more time in 2018 if not for injury, but the lack of experience returning has to get your attention this spring.

Between Ferguson, Tannor and Honas, Nebraska is going to need a big jump from this group. They are also going to be able to give newcomers like Nick Henrich and Garrett Nelson a pretty good look this spring.

Sophomore Caleb Tannor should make a big jump in strength and conditioning this off-season.
Nate Clouse
Biggest question to answer: Where will the pass rush come from?


Where Nebraska's pass rush will come from has seemingly been a question with this football team since 2015.

When you look at what Nebraska returns at linebacker, Ferguson and Tannor appear to be the two most likely candidates to give NU a pass rush at either of the outside linebacker positions.

Ferguson appeared to be that guy a year ago at times, but an ankle injury knocked him out for about half the season. Another year of strength and conditioning should also go a long way with Tannor.

This was also one area where the Huskers appeared to come up short in recruiting, and it will once again be a key priority in the class of 2020.

Spring darkhorse: Breon Dixon
During the open portions of last spring, Ole Miss transfer Breon Dixon was the talk of the town.

He came in last spring and appeared to be an instant impact guy, but then he disappeared.

Dixon's issues don't appear to be related to his physical abilities. The only thing slowing him down is himself. Could this be the spring where he turns it back on?

With more talent coming into the program in August, this could ultimately decide which direction Dixon's career will turn.

 

[saluno22]

I take it Domann is slotted for safety and not OLB.

 

[Hedley Lemar]

Jackson Hannah?

 

[o_Hit]

Jackson Hannah?

That is the correct spelling.

 

[cubsker_rivals142943]

Jackson Hannah?

Spring is a key word here.

 

[Redscarlet]

I would also like Alston moving ahead of Alex King over the spring..

 

[cubsker_rivals142943]

Who is Joseph Johnson ?

 

[Redscarlet]

Who is Joseph Johnson ?

Redshirt Freshman from Gretna..

 

[Hedley Lemar]

Spring is a key word here.

Missed that slight detail...

 

[huskerssalts]

I believe we all will be pleasantly surprised with Caleb Tannor this year with a better pass rush. I think we all seen the potential and talent he had last year as a true freshman, but having another (or his first full year) off season with Big D in S&C. The kid should be stronger and a little quicker off the line. Between Ferguson, Tannor and Barry at LB, I think we have a very solid group there. If all three stay healthy...we should be good. Honas can be a solid MLB. Hopefully he’s 100% and going strong. He showed some promise there. It’s really to bad he got hurt like he did.

 

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

I take it Domann is slotted for safety and not OLB.

https://journalstar.com/sports/husk...cle_4591b666-e0bb-5c95-995e-ad6e6bdf2fcb.html
Nebraska opens spring football Monday and is set for a five-week session before the Red-White Spring Game on April 13 at Memorial Stadium. In the days before spring ball starts, the Journal Star is previewing each position group. We continue with the safeties.

Departed: Aaron Williams, Tre Neal, Antonio Reed.

Returning players: Marquel Dismuke, jr.; JoJo Domann, jr.; Deontai Williams, jr.; CJ Smith, rfr.; Cam'ron Jones, rfr.
Incoming players: Noa Pola-Gates, Quinton Newsome, Myles Farmer.

Walk-on to watch: Reid Karel, sr.

Returning statistical leaders: Williams, 23 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles; Domann, 19 tackles and two forced fumbles; Dismuke, 10 tackles and one forced fumble.

The 6-1, 225-pound Domann had been listed exclusively at safety on the depth chart until the week of the Oct. 27 win against Bethune-Cookman, when he suddenly shared an “or” designation with outside linebacker Alex Davis as backups behind starter Tyrin Ferguson. Nebraska head coach Scott Frost said at the time the change was not a position move, but rather a way for the team to add depth at linebacker. The outside linebacker and nickel spots are interchangeable in NU’s defense.

Domann could play multiple positions. He just
wants to contribute.

"Like I've said many times, I'm a football player," he said. "I'm not just a safety. I'm not just a cover guy. I like to be able to do every aspect of the game."

Dismuke also is a prime candidate to land a starting role. Meanwhile, CJ Smith will miss the spring as he recovers from a knee injury suffered Oct. 13 at Northwestern.
Overview: The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Deontai Williams showed flashes last season of the bravado contained in his comments to the Journal Star in late 2017, when he verbally committed to Nebraska.
"I call myself a sniper," he said then. "That’s what I do. I'm just sniping people on the field -- one-shot kill. I’m very vicious and very aggressive. I’m an aggressive player and I feel like I have that dog in me. You can’t teach somebody to be a dog. You just either have that in you or you don’t."


Williams has an excellent chance to become a starter in 2019 in the wake of heavy personnel losses at the position. To wit: Aaron Williams, Neal and Reed ranked among the team's top
six tacklers in 2018. In 2019, Deontai Williams may be joined in the lineup at safety by Domann, who showed some "dog" last season with his sack of Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins on Nov. 3 at the Big House.

 

[BrighteRed24_rivals190920]

I believe we all will be pleasantly surprised with Caleb Tannor this year with a better pass rush. I think we all seen the potential and talent he had last year as a true freshman, but having another (or his first full year) off season with Big D in S&C. The kid should be stronger and a little quicker off the line. Between Ferguson, Tannor and Barry at LB, I think we have a very solid group there. If all three stay healthy...we should be good. Honas can be a solid MLB. Hopefully he’s 100% and going strong. He showed some promise there. It’s really to bad he got hurt like he did.

I can agree with you that we will be solid if they stay healthy. However, if Ferguson goes down and we have have to play the rest of the year with Alex Davis, look out

 

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/spring-preview-secondary-22
What we know right now: Once a weakness, DBs are now a strength
A year ago, the lack of proven secondary depth was up there near the top of Nebraska's list of concerns going into head coach Scott Frost's first season. But the unit ended up surprising many with its continued development and improvement as the year went on.

The pass defense wasn't great by any stretch, as NU allowed an average of 237.8 yards per game through the air at a completion rate of 56 percent. However, the hallmarks of defensive coordinator Erik Chinander's scheme seemed to click midway through the year.

The Huskers ended up with 11 interceptions (eight by defensive backs) to just 15 touchdown passes allowed, recorded 58 pass breakups (41 by DBs), and ranked 34th nationally in pass efficiency defense, a 61-spot jump from 2017 (95th).

Along with the eight picks, defensive backs coach Travis Fisher's group also forced eight fumbles and had four fumble recoveries, helping Nebraska post its highest turnover total in four years.

A couple of key pieces have moved on in safeties Aaron Williams and Antonio Reed, but Nebraska returns the bulk of its secondary in 2019 and adds a slew of young talent to the mix that should make the unit even better.
Starting cornerbacks Dicaprio Bootle (an All-Big Ten selection who led the conference with 15 breakups) and Lamar Jackson (who had a career-high two INTs and seven PBUs) provide an experienced tandem on the perimeter.

At safety, juniors Deontai Williams and JoJo Domann return after both showing impressive flashes in 2018. On top of that, four second-year players are back in true sophomore Cam Taylor and redshirt freshmen Cam'ron Jones, Braxton Clark, and C.J. Smith.

The competition will kick up even further in the fall when incoming freshmen Noa Pola-Gates, Quinton Newsome, Myles Farmer, and Javin Wright all join the mix.

Biggest question to answer: Can Domann reach his potential?
Fans have been waiting for Domann to finally get the opportunity to show what he could do since the day he arrived on campus, but a series of injuries made it hard for him to even stay on the practice field.

After playing in every game as a true freshman, Domann’s career path got derailed not once, but twice by two ACL surgeries in a span of just seven months. That forced him to miss all of 2017 and then four games last season, but he was still able to make his mark on NU's defense in a unique way.

Domann’s versatility shined at the end of 2018 after taking on a hybrid outside linebacker/nickel back position. By being able to play the run just as well as he can drop back into coverage, Domann allowed NU to go back and forth between its base 3-4 look and nickel package without having to substitute.

That Swiss Army knife ability is so valuable in Chinander's defense, as is the knack he showed to create game-changing plays. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native finished 2018 with a career-high 19 tackles, including his first career tackle for loss and first career sack, tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles, recovered a fumble, and had two pass breakups.

Can he finally stay healthy enough to play a full season? If so, Domann could end up being one of the Blackshirts' most dangerous weapons.

Spring dark horse: Cam'ron Jones
Like Domann, injuries prevented Cam'ron Jones from making an immediate impact in Nebraska's secondary last season. Also like Domann, Jones has the potential to be a major piece for the Blackshirts sooner than later.

A 6-foot, 200-pound former four-star recruit out of Mansfield, Texas, Jones has all the physical tools and intangibles NU's staff is looking for at the safety position, and he has a chance to all but lock up his place on the two-deep depth chart this spring before more incoming competition arrives in the fall.

Jones is regarded as a big hitter (he had 106 tackles as a senior at Mansfield), and he has no shortage of confidence in his abilities. That combination of skill and attitude should make him a perfect fit in what Nebraska's defense wants to do now that he's back to 100 percent.

Projected spring depth chart
CB

1. Lamar Jackson, Sr.

2. Eric Lee, Sr.

-OR-

Braxton Clark, RFr.


S

1. Deontai Williams, Jr.

2. Cam'ron Jones, RFr.


S

1. JoJo Domann, Jr.

2. Marquel Dismuke, Jr.
CB

1. Dicaprio Bootle, Jr.

2. Cam Taylor, So.


Other notables: C.J. Smith, RFr. (injured); Tony Butler, Jr.; Avery Anderson, Sr.; Jeremiah Stovall, Sr.; Reid Karel, Sr.; Ethan Cox, So.; Eli Sullivan, Jr.

 

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

It's Friday and i'm pumped that we have spring football starting next week. I had a conversation last night about what position on both sides of the ball I was most looking forward to watching. And further, which would be the most important for our success in 2019. While positions like OLB, Safety, and Wide Receiver came up, for the sake of the thread I just started, I landed on two spots that I think are pivotal for 2019. Center and NG are the two positions that I will be looking for someone to take the bull by the horns and step up for us. As fans, it will be really easy since we can just watch the ball and see which way the movement goes to start judging who is doing well. The tough part for us is going to be the "who is the person going against." What I mean by that, is last year, Stoltenberg made it so that none of our centers looked good. They got zero push, the guard would come down and barely move him as the center was stale-mated, and then our defense could play free. I saw that first hand with Conrad, but then when they would give Stolt a break and let Newell give it a try, our offense would then start getting the ball down the field due to a push we were getting. I expect a little bit of the same here, depending on who is playing center or who is playing NG, someone could have a really good day. Let's start with center:

Hunter Miller - While I had been told that Hunter Miller is going to be the starter day 1 of spring practice, I am starting to look around at all the hype elsewhere and think it doesn't really matter. They are going to shuffle things around so much that there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone I list to get a chance with the 1s. Last year, we were told that Hunter Miller was close to winning the starting job over Conrad, I don't think that was just fluff. However, when it came time to actually replace Conrad mid-season, the play was moving Farmer down and insert Boe Wilson at RG. It seemed to work, and that's what worries me about penciling him in as your center starter in the fall. I would tab it as "his to lose" right now since he will start there practice 1 (I assume).

Will Farniok - This is my guy that I think will end up winning the job. Now, I really only got to see him go against Stoltenberg, Davis, Daniels, and as a true freshman that's a really tough task. But I think he has a lot of things to like and is extremely intelligent. The spot is his for the taking, will he take it?

Trent Hixson - This could throw a wrench in my Will Farniok starting center prediction. While Hunter Mller received the fewest snaps last year of any linemen that played, Hixson quietly played nearly twice the snaps Miller did and graded out better. However, IF he moves to center will snapping make all those things more difficult for him? If i'm Hixson, i've been working on snapping all winter if Matt Farniok is truly moving to guard. This could be interesting to watch.

Josh Wegener - The walk-on from Iowa Western Community College is intriguing. Some stated he at one point was the #1 JUCO in the country at center, yet is walking on to a 4-8 team. Was his injury that bad? I do know that he is not the tallest kid, barely 6 foot if he is. I would be shocked if he earned the starting spot, but maybe this is their guy that can take the place of Desmond Bland to get us thru this year while Miller, Farniok, and Jurgens get ready? I don't see it, but wouldn't be shocked.

Cam Jurgens - I've lost count, but this is at least his 3rd broken foot in as many seasons. The quick weight gain didn't help how his body reacted, but at this point, I hope he just takes some time off and gets healthy. As I stated on this forum before, between moving positions to somewhere he hadn't played before and having to add nearly 50 pounds in 1.5 years to even get to a spot where you could be effective at center, that was a tall task. In my opinion we need to just get him healthy and get him ready to compete for a starting spot in 2020, he's not quite there yet. Rarely does someone playing OL for the first year ever be able to come in and be a starter for a P5 football team. You need a year or two to get used to it.

Summary - The last time Nebraska played for a conference title, we had an honorable mention all-conference center in Justin Jackson. We all know that our offense goes as the center does. We've seen it way too many times. I give the edge to Will Farniok right now, but honestly there's no way of knowing. Excited to watch this unfold this spring. Now let's take a look at NoseGuard.

Carlos Davis - While this isn't his natural position and he would be more dominant at DE, he will start the spring as our #1 NG. Will this end up being our best option for our entire defense, remains to be seen. But he struggles at times "holding the ground". Against Iowa when we made our defensive adjustments and let him slash gaps, he actually looked very good.

Damion Daniels - Yes, I have the name right. Sitting at #2 on the depth chart, I just don't think he is going to be able to be our starter here. We need his conditioning to get better, as he averaged about 13 snaps a game last year when we lost our starter Mick Stoltenberg in game 3. We have got to do better than that. I think another year of S&C has really helped him, but we will see how it does on the field. Moving a body that big is tough. I'm hoping we can get him to 20-25 snaps per game this year.

Darrion Daniels - The transfer from Oklahoma State has everyone excited, but early reports are to pump the brakes a bit. My glass is half full view is that between the lines in pads he is a beast and is just struggling with our very diffiuclt S&C regiment. I also am not sure if we talked to him about DE or NG. I would say we have a better opportunity to see him more at NG if he can handle it and is big enough. I'm sure he can. It is just so much different playing NG than DE.

Daishon Neal - If i'm Neal, I give NG a try, as it doesn't look like DE has worked out up to this point, and he has the mass to take care of the guys coming his way. This would be a long shot starter tho in my opinion.

Vaha Vainuku - With a new polynesian coach coming in, this may be his chance to get some more playing time. He was just so far off from being productive last year, this seems like a drastic long shot unless he improves a tremendous amount.

Summary - The issue with NG, is that as you can see, we have 3 guys out of the 5 that played a DE (or DT role at OSU) possibly trying to slide down to NG. Mark Banker once said that is a really difficult transition because you are "playing in the dark". What he means is, as a DE in our system you pretty much know you have B gap out of your 4i technique. At NG, you can get hit from both directions, and you have 2 gaps many times. That's really difficult to deal with. Damion Daniels emerging with the snaps I talked about would go a long ways for us.

ShortSideOption, Friday at 7:14 AM
#1
http://forum.huskermax.com/index.ph...s-this-spring-that-i-will-be-watching.109765/

 

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

Secondary is loaded with young talent for years to come.EekSmokin

 

[Redscarlet]

No mention of Deontre Thomas on the D-line?

 

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

No mention of Deontre Thomas on the D-line?

Spring dark horse: Deontre Thomas

Fans have been waiting for Thomas to reach his full potential for two years now, but after cracking the rotation as a true freshman in 2017, his opportunities to do so have been limited.

Thomas played in 10 games and finished with 14 tackles his first season, but much of that playing time came in mop-up duty on an NU defense that was downright terrible.

He was again on his way to being a fixture in the rotation when Frost and Co. arrived last year, but a broken hand limited him to play in only the first four games.

At 6-3, 290, the Mustang, Okla., native has the combination of size, strength, and explosiveness the coaching staff is looking for in a 3-4 defensive end.

Even with the amount of returning veteran experience, Thomas will have every opportunity to make himself a mainstay for the Blackshirts this fall.
Projected spring depth chart
DE

1. Khalil Davis, Sr.

2. Deontre Thomas, So.

NG

1. Carlos Davis, Sr.

2. Damion Daniels, So.

-OR-

Darrion Daniels, Sr.

DE

1. Ben Stille, Jr.

2. DaiShon Neal, Sr.

Other notables: Vaha Vainuku, Sr.; Chris Walker, So.; Tate Wildeman, RFr.; Casey Rodgers, RFr.; Ryan Schommer, RFr.; Damian Jackson, So.

 

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

No mention of Deontre Thomas on the D-line?

If you're talking about SSO he was just highlighting C and NG.

 

[HBK4life_rivals100467]

 

[Redscarlet]

If you're talking about SSO he was just highlighting C and NG.

OK, through me off mentioning Neal trying NG... Neal better at DE in my opinion..Still counting on the Daniel’s Making an impact on the D-line..