Nebraska Football Fall Camp: Updates on the Defensive Secondary, Special Teams

Leaders emerging for punt-return job; placekickers in open competition

The defensive secondary and special teams took center stage after Monday morning's Nebraska football practice.

Defensive backs coach Evan Cooper echoed the praise that head coach Matt Rhule had two days earlier for Isaac Gifford, the likely starter at rover. "He's tough, he's competitive, he works his butt off, he's disciplined, he's a violent player. He's the captain of that group. He's trying to push us to somewhere we haven't been." 

For his part, Gifford said there's a new "level of trust" this year between players and coaches. "They really bring the best out of people, and they've definitely brought the best out of me."

Special teams coordinator Ed Foley said Brian Buschini will be the starting punter, but it's an open competition for the place-kicking job between returning starter Timmy Bleekrode and true freshman Tristan Alvano. Foley mentioned Billy Kemp IV and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda as leading contenders for the punt return job.

Scroll down for more from Monday's practice, , the seventh of fall camp. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. Refresh this page for the latest additions. | HuskerMax discussion

Coverage

• Inside Nebraska | Quick Hits from defensive backs coach Evan Cooper
• Inside Nebraska | Quick Hits from special teams coordinator Ed Foley
• Husker247 | Quick Hits with Evan Cooper: 'I think we need to go over the standard'
• Husker247 | Bleekrode talks through close kicking competition
• Husker247 | Good fortune with Gifford and a second-chance secondary
• Nebraska Athletics | Football Fall Camp Video & Report: Aug. 7
• Video recaps | LJS, OWH
• Hail Varsity* | Ed Foley Breaks Down Special Teams Position Battles 
• Hail Varsity* | Coach Evan Cooper Wants 'Everyday Guys' in Secondary
• Omaha World-Herald* | Quick Hits with Evan Cooper: 'I think we need to go over the standard'
• Omaha World-Herald* | Camp performance — not resume — will decide starting kicker for Nebraska
• Omaha World-Herald* | Situational football, sweat equity: Nebraska is embracing Matt Rhule’s training camp
• Lincoln Journal Star* | Healthy ankles, healthy kicks: Nebraska's Buschini ready for another year at punter
• Lincoln Journal Star* | Kemp likely Nebraska's punt returner

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Video

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More info

• Fall camp schedule
• 2023 roster
• 2023 schedule
• Media guide
• KLIN/HuskerMax reports

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