Versatility Emerging on Huskers’ Defense

Players’ multiple roles discussed after Thursday’s practice

Author:
Joe Hudson
Updated:
Mar 30, 2023 11:02 PM EDT
Original:
Mar 30, 2023

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Defense was the focus Thursday after Nebraska football's sixth spring practice.

Defensive line coach Terrance Knighton said significant practice reps on the D-line are being spread around due to the unavailability of Ty Robinson and Blaise Gunnerson. Benefiting from the situation, Knighton said, are newcomers like Cam Lenhardt, Princewill Umanmielen and Kai Wallin as well as "guys who usually didn't get a lot of reps in the past," such as Ru'Quan Buckley and Jacob Herbek.

A number of players are showing they can be effective lining up at multiple positions in the first two levels of the defense, Knighton said.

"All our guys that stand up can put their hand in the dirt," he said. "Princewill can do both. MJ Sherman can do both. Jimari [Butler] can do both, Maverick Noonan. We have a lot of guys that can line up at linebacker, line up at D-end and sometimes bump down to 3-technique. ... And they're tough enough to do it, so that's what we're trying to do."

Knighton said tight end AJ Rollins is enthusiastic about his trial run this spring as a pass rusher. “He's all for it,” Knighton said. "...He's doing a great job with it. He's a smart guy, so he'll pick up on it quick."

Also speaking with reporters Thursday were secondary coach Evan Cooper and defensive players MJ Sherman, Malcolm Hartzog and Omar Brown. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. Refresh this page for the latest additions. Go here for the HuskerMax discussion.