Addison Williams Details What It Will Take to Win Nebraska's Cornerback Battle

The coach is looking for a player to emerge opposite Andrew Marshall in 2026.

Nebraska defensive back Andrew Marshall grabs an interception in front of USC wideout Ja'Kobi Lane. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska's secondary still has a spot up for grabs, and defensive backs coach Addison Williams is challenging a player to emerge.

Williams made that clear Friday after the Big Red's 11th practice of fall camp. He's not in a rush to decide, though. Instead, he's looking for the player who can separate himself from the rest of the group.

Andrew Marshall celebrates after breaking up a pass attempt against Cincinnati. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

“Ultimately, it’s going to be the consistency,” he said when detailing what will set the eventual starter apart. “But at the same time, I feel like all those guys have been fairly consistent. So, when you’ve got a lot of guys in the same group, what's next? It’s going to be the physicality, it’s going to be the grit, it’s going to be the play-making ability. Who can take the ball away from the offense?”

NU totaled 13 turnovers as a defense in 2025. Williams' group is focused on seeing that number increase this fall.

Jeremiah Charles breaks up a pass during fall camp. | Nebraska Athletics via X

In Williams' first season on the Huskers' staff, he helped Nebraska's defense finish the regular season ranked third nationally in passing yards allowed. While his approach to assigning players within the secondary might seem unconventional, it appears to be working just fine.

“During the spring and fall camp, we normally play left and right,” he said. “So, we get a good feel of who's better at field and who’s better at boundary. And if we need to go that route, we could, but right now we’ve been strictly left and right.”

That simplicity appears to be in line with what first-year defensive coordinator Rob Aurich desires for the Huskers this fall. The straightforward verbiage will help Nebraska play faster and freer in 2026.

After three seasons at FIU, Victor Evans III is now at Nebraska. | @v.evansiii/Instagram

Senior cornerback Victor Evans III has been one of the more highly touted players since arriving at Nebraska from FIU via the transfer portal in January. Williams made it clear the 6-foot-1, 195-pound defender will have a role this fall, while also pointing to two things that have stood out since the spring.

“Vic is a lot faster than what I saw on tape,” he said. “I’ve dealt with guys in college like that. I’ve played with guys like that. He’s just so smooth in what he does, so it doesn’t look as if he’s running as fast.”

“The second thing that I would say is that Vic is a really smart football player,” Williams continued. “You can coach him hard as crap; his demeanor doesn’t change. His demeanor and speed are the two biggest surprises.”

Danny Odem III breaks down makes a tackle during fall camp. | Nebraska Athletics via X

Another member of the secondary who has been standing out is former five-star cornerback Danny Odem III. Williams said the Pennsylvania native has made significant progress since the spring, particularly on the mental side of his game.

“He’s playing a lot faster, because he can process a lot faster,” Williams said. “In the spring he was still trying to figure out exactly what his assignment was. Am I press, am I off, am I inside, am I outside? But he’s got a lot more comfortable there, so I’ve seen him play a lot faster and make plays on the ball as well.”

The Navy All-American Bowl selection recorded three interceptions in a single game during his senior year, and he'll look to bring that same playmaking ability to Nebraska's defense in 2026.

Cornerback Bryce Williams with Nebraska assistant coach Addison Williams. | @Brycewilliams_0 / X.com

Williams is a phenomenal recruiter, and he's proved it in a big way. In addition to signing Odem in the 2026 recruiting class, the defensive backs coach currently has verbal commitments from four blue-chip prospects in the 2027 cycle and five pledges in total.

However, he's also recruited plenty of players out of the transfer portal. Even so, he still tries to identify the same handful of traits.

“Looking at transfers is really no different for me than looking at high school kids,” said Williams. “The first thing I’m looking for is does this kid have play making ability? The second thing is his skill set. Can he run? Can he change direction? How fluent are his hips? The third thing would be is he physical or not? Is he willing to make tackles? In this league, corners will have to tackle quite a bit.”

“I (also) look for size,” he continued. “The final thing is really the X-Factor, which I call the mindset. With that, you can be lacking in one of the other areas, but if you’ve got that X-Factor, then you can overcome a lot of those things.” 

Matt Rhule addresses the team at practice. | Nebraska Athletics

The Big Red scrimmaged for the first time since the spring on Saturday, Aug. 15. Williams noted that while the defense didn't show much of its playbook, it was still productive.

“It was a solid day,” he said. “Defensively, we weren’t very exotic; didn’t really do a lot of things. Which was really good for us. We saw guys have to cover guys. Guys have to get off block and make tackles. But I feel really good about where they were last Saturday and where they are today as well.”

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