'An Attack-Oriented Defense': John Butler, Defensive Coaches Talk Tackling, Aggression

Finding ways to get better at tackling is "never ending."

That's what Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler began with Monday when he met with the media after the latest practice. He said it isn't just continuous through camp, but from "now until you're done playing ball."

"I think we had three or four live periods throughout the year - like scrimmages - then the rest of it's thud," Butler said. "Even in your tag-off stuff, which we did a little bit today, you're just constantly preaching running through, where are your eyes."

Butler said it is process that continues through the whole year. He compared it to the NFL preseason.

"You look at the first 3-4 games of each year, the stuff that stands out is the tackling and the takeaways, the tackling and the lack of ball security," Butler said. "Because quarterbacks haven't been hit. Ball carriers haven't been hit.

"The team that's tackling better, from a standpoint of individual tackles plus population to the ball is a huge thing."

Beyond tackling, Buter said the coverage defenders are going to "play as aggressive as the officials allow us to play." He said he learned that concept from Husker freshman Dawson Merritt's father, Dave, who is the defensive backs coach with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I watched how they played our receivers in Buffalo and they played them very aggressively," Butler said. "Obviously, in the playoffs, they let you play."

Butler said since those games between the Chiefs and Bills, he's always believed in more aggressive coverage tactics. He added that you also have to "play to the standard that the officiating is allowing."

"Our guys have been very aggressive down the field," Butler said, reiterating they can't be aggressive down the field when the ball is in the air. "But when you're an attack-oriented defense, everything you're doing is with that mindset and mentality."

John Butler enters his first year as the defensive coordinator at Nebraska. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Butler said when the officials are calling things tighter, the guys will need to adjust their technique, but can't sacrifice aggressiveness.

"We're not backing off," Butler said.

Butler also discussed the difference in adjusting in-game between the NFL and college, how the defense performed in the scrimmages, the front seven rotation, the single-digit jerseys, and more. Defensive assistants Terry Bradden and Phil Simpson, as well as a few players, also met with the media. You can watch the full media session below.

Coverage

Nebraska On SI | Nebraska Defensive Line Coach Terry Bradden Seeing 'Shocking Effort' Out of His Group
Nebraska Athletics | Butler Discusses Defensive Play Following Fall Camp
Omaha World-Herald* | John Butler: Nebraska's Blackshirts need to toe line between aggression and penalties
Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska DC John Butler: True Freshman Kade Pietrzak a 'factor' on defensive line
Omaha World-Herald* | Marques Watson-Trent's college career coming full circle at Nebraska
Omaha World-Herald* | Why Dasan McCullough's position switch is already paying off for him and Nebraska
Husker247 | 3-minute drill: Defensive rotations gain clarity with opener 10 days away
Husker247 | The Breakdown from Butler: What Nebraska's defensive coordinator had to say 10 days from kickoff
Husker247 | Jamir Conn bringing perspective, sense of urgency to Husker fall camp
Husker247 | Phil Simpson discusses complete players at outside linebacker, coverage and more
HuskerOnline* | Nebraska Monday nuggets: Butler, Bradden talk defense as season opener nears
HuskerOnline* | Coordinator report: Butler touts Nebraska's defensive aggressiveness, depth
Hastings Tribune* | Husker notes: Nebraska DC John Butler preaching aggressiveness, Kade Pietrzak rising up depth chart
Hastings Tribune* | Nebraska DB Jamir Conn eager to make FBS debut in hometown against Cincinnati
Hastings Tribune* | Marques Watson-Trent looking to replenish lost production in Nebraska's linebacker room
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Nebraska Football 2025 Schedule

Aug. 28 (Thursday) vs. Cincinnati (Kansas City) 8 p.m. ESPN
Sep. 6 vs. Akron 6:30 p.m. CDT BTN
Sep. 13 vs. Houston Christian 11 a.m. FS1
Sep. 20 vs. Michigan 2:30 p.m. CBS
Oct. 4 vs. Michigan State 11/2:30/3
Oct. 11 at Maryland TBA
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Oct. 25 vs. Northwestern TBA
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Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS

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