Jeremy Pernell: Roster Churn Alters Nebraska’s Defensive Line
Sixth in a series breaking down Nebraska's 2023 post-spring roster by position. | HuskerMax discussion |
As Nebraska headed into spring ball, the defensive line was probably the position group I had the most concern over.
As I pointed out in my recruiting recap in February, in five recruiting classes, the previous Nebraska football staff signed a total of 11 players to play on the D-line. The majority of them were projects who eventually flamed out. Three more of them — Mosai Newsom, Marquis Black and Jailen Weaver — left the team in early December.
Their attrition is insignificant, but it was the graduation of Devin Drew and the decision by Colton Feist to bypass using his final season of eligibility that were cause for concern. Feist started all 12 games last year and was Nebraska's most consistent lineman.
The room suffered another loss after spring when former Alabama transfer Stephon Wynn decided to put his name in the transfer portal and play elsewhere as a grad transfer.
A lot was expected out of Wynn when he arrived last summer, but he never cracked the starting lineup and was a rotational piece last season. Even so, with such a thin room, it was assumed he'd take on a larger role this year. Instead, he was running with the second-team defense for most of spring. Much like Casey Thompson, it's hard to blame a kid for wanting to find a better situation with his last year of eligibility.
It would have been nice to have Wynn around for the rigors of the Big Ten, but several newcomers leapfrogged him this spring, and his 20 snaps a game will probably be better served going elsewhere in the long run. Those reps will expedite the development of young guys the staff is counting on to be the backbone of the D-line down the road. Heck, maybe as soon as this season.
Ty Robinson missed spring recovering from a shoulder injury. The junior has appeared in 35 games as a Husker with 23 starts under his belt. He's being counted on to be the bell cow of the room. Coaches are hoping Robinson, a highly recruited prospect in the 2019 class, can take his game to the next level and become an all-conference caliber player.
Now entering his fourth season in the program, junior Nash Hutmacher seems to be taking the next step in his development. He had a very good spring after slimming down during winter conditioning. Hutmacher has played in 24 games (two starts) and is expected to be a mainstay in the starting lineup alongside Robinson.
There are several others who can be that third or fourth lineman, depending on what front defensive coordinator Tony White wants to play.
Texas A&M transfer Elijah Jeudy started in the spring game and will head into fall camp a strong contender for one of those spots this season. A consensus four-star recruit in the 2021 class, Jeudy was expected to compete for playing time with the Aggies last season. Texas A&M ended up signing the No. 1 class in the country in 2022 and brought in one of the best D-line classes in modern history. Its eight members included FIVE five-star players and three four-star kids. Jeudy ended up in a logjam and decided to look for greener pastures.
Also spending a lot of time with the first-team defense this spring and starting the Red-White game were true freshmen Cameron Lenhardt and Princewill Umanmielen, a pair of four-star recruits. These two won't be redshirting and will be playing this season. Elkhorn South's Maverick Noonan also had a good first spring, but he's more likely to redshirt.
As I mentioned in my tight ends review, sophomore AJ Rollins was moved over to defense and has looked good as a pass rusher. Fellow sophomore Kai Wallin, who arrived in January from American River Community College, will also try and earn some snaps this fall coming off the edge.
Sophomore Blaise Gunnerson missed time this spring battling injuries, a common theme for him through his first three years at Nebraska, but the coaches are high on him — as was the previous staff. He just has to stay healthy.
Redshirt freshman Brodie Tagaloa, who moved over from tight end with Rollins, was running with the 2s this spring. He could use another season behind the scenes developing at his new position.
A pair of four-star recruits join the mix this summer. I'll be interested to see if Riley Van Poppel or Vincent Carroll-Jackson earn their way onto the field this season after fall camp. Both of those kids have a ton of upside and should be important pieces in coach Terrance Knighton's room down the line. Ideally they can preserve their redshirts.
Two additional freshmen will join the team at the end of the month, two-way standout Jason Maciejczak and Sua Lefotu. There was a bit of a tug of war between coaches to decide where to play Maciejczak, at least initially. I like their decision to groom him as a nose tackle behind Hutmacher.
I'll be interested to see if sophomore Ru'Quan Buckley is part of the rotation. Like Wynn, it was assumed Buckley would be needed this season because of a perceived lack of numbers. The previous staff liked his potential. He could use another year before being relied on. Also keep an eye on junior walk-on Jacob Herbek out of Grand Island Central Catholic. He spent most of spring with the second team defense.
Looking ahead, like with the O-line, there aren't any players listed as seniors, but I still anticipate the staff adding another three or so guys to the room during this recruiting cycle. They already have a commitment from Elkhorn South two-way lineman Ashton Murphy, whom the staff is bringing in to play defense.
These coaches can afford to swing for the fences and be selective with their other spots. They're certainly aiming big. They've hosted a pair of five-star recruits with Lees Summit (Mo.) North's Williams Nwaneri (March 24) and Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei standout Aydin Breland (April 22) checking out Matt Rhule's program this spring. The Huskers are in both players' top 10s but aren't considered favorites for either.
Other top targets to keep an eye on include Jacob Smith (Cheshire, CT), Brian Robinson (Youngstown, OH), Adam Kissayi (Palm Bay, FL), Mylachi Williams (Drexel Hill, PA), Jayden Jackson (Bradenton, FL), Daylen Russell (Miami, FL) and Wyatt Gilmore (Rogers, MN).
