Husker QB Jeff Sims Gets Plaudits From the Defensive Side
Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims got a vote of confidence Friday from someone who sees him every day from the other side of the ball.
Husker defensive coordinator Tony White coached against Sims in 2020 when the player was at Georgia Tech and White was at Syracuse. Sims, then a true freshman, had a rough outing that day, throwing four interceptions in a 37-20 road loss.
Now three years older and operating in a new system and under new coaching, "Sims is a different player," White said, citing his reads, arm strength, maturity and confidence in the pocket. "He's on a different level. ... Defending him on the other side, he's making me a better coach for sure."
As for his own players, White praised the defensive line and its chemistry under position coach Terrance Knighton: "Those guys are playing their butts off right now. ... When those guys are playing physical and fast, you've got a chance, so I like where those guys are at."
With the Aug. 31 opener at Minnesota less than two weeks away, White said one goal of Saturday's scrimmage will be making sure the defense's communication and organization are game-ready. The coaches, he said, are "stepping back and letting the guys organize themselves, communicate themselves, operate substitutions the right way."
Scroll down for more from Friday's practice, the 17th of preseason camp. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. Refresh this page for the latest additions. | HuskerMax discussion
Coverage
- Husker247 | Friday quick hits: Tony White on what he wants to see in the scrimmage; single-digit guys; defending Jeff Sims
- Inside Nebraska | Quick Hits from DC Tony White
- KLKN | Quinton Newsome could be among top DBs in Big Ten, Tony White says
- Nebraska Athletics | Football Fall Camp Video & Report: Aug. 18
- Omaha World-Herald* | DC Tony White bullish on defensive line, Jeff Sims
- Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska trimming playbook for season opener at Minnesota
- Omaha World-Herald* | Quarterback Jeff Sims is on 'a different level' at Nebraska
- Omaha World-Herald* | 'A testament to them': Nebraska defense outnumbers offense in single-digit jerseys
- Omaha World-Herald* | Quinton Newsome becoming the elder statesman of a cornerback room full of leaders
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Path to playing time in Nebraska's secondary more open this season than last
- Lincoln Journal Star* | By stretching and cross-training, Omar Brown primed for bigger role in Year 2
