Sam M on the defense

[inWV]

DL - McMullen has looked good at times, but has to get a better motor, KM should have been redshirted as a frosh but has been impressive, Davis twins second team and look to be multiyear starters, Stoltenberg would challenge to start if healthy. There should be 6 tackles for possible rotation.
DE - Freedom looks good, more than serviceable, Ross works hard, may sub out for a backer on passing downs. Neal can be second team (perhaps now behind Natter), Davis and King behind Freedom, King a run stuffer, Davis a true rush end, Natter needs to push for playing time behind Ross. Better, but still a next year group.
LB - Bando, MRI, Young and Newby all look good, Newby closes well and may be valuable on passing downs. Ferguson and Weber will battle to back up Bando, Barry a smaller version of MRI, Gifford good in coverage.
CB - Kalu solid, Jones hot and cold, Lee is backup (possible nickel).
S - Banker is coaching Nate hard, he has additional levels to his game, Aaron Williams and Reed are hurt, Kieron Williams is serviceable, Avery Anderson may be the best of the non-Nate safeties. Domann may be one to watch when he arrives, possibly also Butler.
Dbacks are better, but still a year away perhaps.

http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/...cle_e2a227f2-ea20-11e5-85e5-8799ab183b0a.html

 

[CC_Lemming]

DL - McMullen has looked good at times, but has to get a better motor, KM should have been redshirted as a frosh but has been impressive, Davis twins second team and look to be multiyear starters, Stoltenberg would challenge to start if healthy. There should be 6 tackles for possible rotation.
DE - Freedom looks good, more than serviceable, Ross works hard, may sub out for a backer on passing downs. Neal can be second team (perhaps now behind Natter), Davis and King behind Freedom, King a run stuffer, Davis a true rush end, Natter needs to push for playing time behind Ross. Better, but still a next year group.
LB - Bando, MRI, Young and Newby all look good, Newby closes well and may be valuable on passing downs. Ferguson and Weber will battle to back up Bando, Barry a smaller version of MRI, Gifford good in coverage.
CB - Kalu solid, Jones hot and cold, Lee is backup (possible nickel).
S - Banker is coaching Nate hard, he has additional levels to his game, Aaron Williams and Reed are hurt, Kieron Williams is serviceable, Avery Anderson may be the best of the non-Nate safeties. Domann may be one to watch when he arrives, possibly also Butler.
Dbacks are better, but still a year away perhaps.

http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/...cle_e2a227f2-ea20-11e5-85e5-8799ab183b0a.html

I thought Anderson was a corner, interesting. That position will be stacked with Dismuke. Will be interesting to see the impact L. Jackson has in the corners.
Is Kevin Williams hurt? Why no mention of him? Edit: he is hurt, read the article.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan_rivals19671]

Listening to Benning and the boyz talk about the Davis twins on the radio this AM and I couldn't help but be stoked. If there's a position we are wondering about more than DT, I don't know what it would be, OL maybe? But after hearing them talk about it, I'm only sort of nervous about it now, instead of full blown nervous. Anyway, sounds like they are killing it right now.

 

[NECoach31BB]

Think the young guys on the line will be just fine. Enrrtgy and effort will be matched up with great teaching and expectations. Parella lived the history of the great lines and will set the standard. If they can cut .3-.7 off the time for the QB to scan the back 7 will be just fine. Young but fine.

 

[Cornicator]

I thought Anderson was a corner, interesting. That position will be stacked with Dismuke. Will be interesting to see the impact L. Jackson has in the corners.
Is Kevin Williams hurt? Why no mention of him? Edit: he is hurt, read the article.

They've been grooming Anderson for a move to Safety since he arrived on Campus. Secondly, don't be surprised if Dismuke and Lamar are both corners from day one.

Safety will potentially be Gerry and Aaron Williams backed up by Reed and Avery Anderson. Jo Jo Doman will be an early factor though. He's a special playmaker with a tremendous football IQ.

 

[TheBeav815]

Listening to Benning and the boyz talk about the Davis twins on the radio this AM and I couldn't help but be stoked. If there's a position we are wondering about more than DT, I don't know what it would be, OL maybe? But after hearing them talk about it, I'm only sort of nervous about it now, instead of full blown nervous. Anyway, sounds like they are killing it right now.

Biggest question marks to me are DE and RB.

 

[inWV]

They've been grooming Anderson for a move to Safety since he arrived on Campus. Secondly, don't be surprised if Dismuke and Lamar are both corners from day one.

Safety will potentially be Gerry and Aaron Williams backed up by Reed and Avery Anderson. Jo Jo Doman will be an early factor though. He's a special playmaker with a tremendous football IQ.

We now have veterans at all positions backed up by perhaps even more talented young guys. DTackle could be quite good, DE iffy still, LBs solid, with the corners and safeties playing better than a year ago. Better pressure on the QB will be key, hopefully Freedom will take a big step. Better knowledge of the system should hopefully reduce the incidence of chunk plays.

 

[Cornicator]

Biggest question marks to me are DE and RB.

Not sure RB is a Question mark. If you don't like the talent or ceiling of the personnel, that's one thing. But I think everything is pretty clear.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan_rivals19671]

Biggest question marks to me are DE and RB.

I think both of those positions are going to be pretty average to be honest. If they are better than that, I'd be surprised. So in that respect, they aren't a question mark, for me anyway. RB has a chance to surprise me, but DE? IDK, could be a long year at that spot.

 

[CC_Lemming]

They've been grooming Anderson for a move to Safety since he arrived on Campus. Secondly, don't be surprised if Dismuke and Lamar are both corners from day one.

Safety will potentially be Gerry and Aaron Williams backed up by Reed and Avery Anderson. Jo Jo Doman will be an early factor though. He's a special playmaker with a tremendous football IQ.

I read about Dismuke at corner as well. Whoever can cover and stay competitive without help, put them out there because this scheme seems to ask a lot of corners. I liked what I saw of Kalu last year for the most part. He was generally competitive, got beat some sure, but every corner does.

That is interesting about Jo Jo. I wasn't too confident he'd have the athleticism to play safety, but we'll see. They and you know more than I do.

I still hope Charles Jackson makes it in the field, he deserves it.

 

[TheBeav815]

Not sure RB is a Question mark. If you don't like the talent or ceiling of the personnel, that's one thing. But I think everything is pretty clear.

We don't know if Wilbon will get PT and master the mental side of the game, we don't know if 230 is a good weight for Ozigbo or that's too much, we don't know if Newby will turn into a decisive runner who can make one cut and run tough, we don't know if the freshman RB will play, we don't know how much Jano will be missed as a lead blocker...

 

[CC_Lemming]

I think both of those positions are going to be pretty average to be honest. If they are better than that, I'd be surprised. So in that respect, they aren't a question mark, for me anyway. RB has a chance to surprise me, but DE? IDK, could be a long year at that spot.

Agreed on DE. Nothing against Ross D., but when he is your starter you gotta think that is due to need. If Freedom goes down...I do t even want to think about it. (I guess I'd play Newby at DE full time).

 

[litespeedhuskerfan_rivals19671]

We don't know if Wilbon will get PT and master the mental side of the game, we don't know if 230 is a good weight for Ozigbo or that's too much, we don't know if Newby will turn into a decisive runner who can make one cut and run tough, we don't know if the freshman RB will play, we don't know how much Jano will be missed as a lead blocker...

I like Zig, as long as he stays healthy I think him and Wilbon will be OK, but that's also sorta the problem, "OK" is just that.

 

[dinglefritz]

We don't know if Wilbon will get PT and master the mental side of the game, we don't know if 230 is a good weight for Ozigbo or that's too much, we don't know if Newby will turn into a decisive runner who can make one cut and run tough, we don't know if the freshman RB will play, we don't know how much Jano will be missed as a lead blocker...

Devine is the odds on favorite IMO to be our feature back and I bet he played at or near 230 in the bowl game. He is a large athletic young man. Beyond that all the other RBs are gravy and will have their roles. I am very happy with our RB options. The O-line is more of a question mark than RB IMO and will determine much of the RBs success or failure.

 

[TheBeav815]

I like Zig, as long as he stays healthy I think him and Wilbon will be OK, but that's also sorta the problem, "OK" is just that.

He's a good back, I think he has a nice future ahead of him. We don't know yet if he's a 3-down guy, and even if he is, they will need at least 3 good backs at various times.

 

[leodisflowers]

I think we are underestimating Wilbon. Nothing to back it up with, but I am drawing my conclusion on how Riley talks about him, and what I heard about him when the previous regime was here. Sounds like he would have been the clear cut starter with the old staff. I think the kid is a baller, just needs to get the mental part of the game down.

 

[Cornicator]

That is interesting about Jo Jo. I wasn't too confident he'd have the athleticism to play safety, but we'll see. They and you know more than I do.
.

Are you serious. LOL? The kid is extremely athletic and a SPECIAL playmaker.

 

[TheBeav815]

I think we are underestimating Wilbon. Nothing to back it up with, but I am drawing my conclusion on how Riley talks about him, and what I heard about him when the previous regime was here. Sounds like he would have been the clear cut starter with the old staff. I think the kid is a baller, just needs to get the mental part of the game down.

Ability is not the issue. I just don't know if they're gonna play him, how well he can get he offense down, etc.

 

[TheBeav815]

Are you serious. LOL? The kid is extremely athletic and a SPECIAL playmaker.

Man, he can high-point a ball, can't he? His film has a little of that Rex quality to it where he's not blowing your mind with any one particular highlight, but you get a few minutes in and realize he's just making a bunch of plays where it looked like nothing was there.

Comes from a football family, really knows the game. Like his attitude. He's got that good kind of arrogance about him, he's not out there to mess around.

 

[CC_Lemming]

Are you serious. LOL? The kid is extremely athletic and a SPECIAL playmaker.

I was going strictly off his height, weight, and projected position from Rivals and all that from memory, so I'm happy to be wrong!

Nice film - maybe another Nate Gerry for us - that'd be great.

 

[Cornicator]

I was going strictly off his height, weight, and projected position from Rivals and all that from memory, so I'm happy to be wrong!

Nice film - maybe another Nate Gerry for us - that'd be great.

I think he's more complete than Gerry. JoJo shows better instincts.

 

[Kakdawg]

Man, he can high-point a ball, can't he? His film has a little of that Rex quality to it where he's not blowing your mind with any one particular highlight, but you get a few minutes in and realize he's just making a bunch of plays where it looked like nothing was there.

Comes from a football family, really knows the game. Like his attitude. He's got that good kind of arrogance about him, he's not out there to mess around.

I laughed at that "good kind of arrogance" . That is one of the funniest statements I ever read. I say that not to disagree but to actually commend you on it. He DOES have it and I think Ill put it another way. Hes has the type of arrogance that you love if hes on your team but dont particularly care for if hes on another team lol.

I like JoJo as a "football player". Im not sure what position he will fit best at. I wonder about his foot speed as a safety but I do think his instincts and football acumen are off the charts which can make up for a lot of that. I LOVE his physicality on defense as he shows up with bad intentions and definitely doesnt shy away from contact. Hes also a "thick" kid and wonder if he could play OLB.

Personally I think he is the perfect "hybrid" guy. A guy who could probably cover backs and TEs underneath and outside but also at the same time be able to cover a lot of ground due to his acumen and no false steps.

Again I dont know how they will use him but I do know he is a player. I know Cornicator LOVES him and while Im not as high on him as he is I DO think if used correctly he can be a great "piece" of the puzzle that is needed to take our defense up another level.


holla

 

[huskerbaseball13]

I think the LB group could end up being beast. Main concern is D-Line play for me....we have to be able to get after the QB. I think secondary play will be much improved...that group started to look better by the end of the year. I would expect them to take a big step in year 2 with everybody but Cockrell back.

 

[leodisflowers]

I laughed at that "good kind of arrogance" . That is one of the funniest statements I ever read. I say that not to disagree but to actually commend you on it. He DOES have it and I think Ill put it another way. Hes has the type of arrogance that you love if hes on your team but dont particularly care for if hes on another team lol.

I like JoJo as a "football player". Im not sure what position he will fit best at. I wonder about his foot speed as a safety but I do think his instincts and football acumen are off the charts which can make up for a lot of that. I LOVE his physicality on defense as he shows up with bad intentions and definitely doesnt shy away from contact. Hes also a "thick" kid and wonder if he could play OLB.

Personally I think he is the perfect "hybrid" guy. A guy who could probably cover backs and TEs underneath and outside but also at the same time be able to cover a lot of ground due to his acumen and no false steps.

Again I dont know how they will use him but I do know he is a player. I know Cornicator LOVES him and while Im not as high on him as he is I DO think if used correctly he can be a great "piece" of the puzzle that is needed to take our defense up another level.


holla

Agree Kakdawg.. I think a Hybrid on LB position could be great. Great athleticism and instinct, I just don't think he has the full of speed for safety, although the others attributes help you overcome.