Sam's Spring Defense Roster Takes

[Red Five]

http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/sam-mckewon-s-spring-roster-takes-defense/article_e2a227f2-ea20-11e5-85e5-8799ab183b0a.html

 

Worth the 5 minutes to read. Also a lot of insight on where the incoming recruits might fit.

 

My high level summary:

 

McMullen is getting coached hard by Parrella to reach his full potential.

Davis Twins still learning the college game where they can't just out-athlete the OL

DE still needs guys to take "the leap"

LBs should be solid

Kalu > Jones

E Lee is the top corner backup

Gerry is getting coached hard by Banker

DBs should be a strength once the youth figures it out

 

[The Dude]

Encouraged to hear Freedom seems to be taking the next step, but not surprised to hear it seems we're a couple years away from being strong at the position overall.

[RedSavage]

I find it interesting that Kalu seems to be ahead of Jones. There was an article not too long ago about how Kalu was learning from Jones and I think most fans thought Jones was the No. 1 at CB as well.

[teachercd]

This is one of those years where I kind of have no idea who is starting in a lot of the spots.

[StPaulHusker]

I find it interesting that Kalu seems to be ahead of Jones. There was an article not too long ago about how Kalu was learning from Jones and I think most fans thought Jones was the No. 1 at CB as well.

It could be that Jones caught on to the style of play faster and Kalu was learning from him. But now Kalu has figured it out and is better than Jones.

[Waterloohusker26]

I really enjoy Sam's takes when it comes to practices as he isn't a sunshine pumper like the boys from the Journal Star and Sam has pretty good insight

[Red Five]

Figured I'd throw this article by Sam in here as well:

LINCOLN — The first half of Nebraska football’s spring camp is complete. This Rewind focuses on a few takeaways at the halfway point, since NU has eight practices — and the spring game — after spring break.

 

» The defense remains a work in progress. You know those massive spring cleaning projects around the yard or the house where you know the final vision, but at the moment, it looks a bit like chaos? That’s the defense.

 

Injuries at safety. Youth in the secondary. A new position coach, new coaching duties for defensive coordinator Mark Banker, a bunch of fast-twitch defensive linemen who are too young to have all the techniques down. At least the linebackers look fairly settled.

 

After a disastrous first year — in which anything that could go wrong for the defense often did — Banker has a lot of work to do, and a young roster with which to do it. Banker has used the word “rudimentary” in camp.

 

Recruiting mistakes and philosophical differences have left NU’s defense — a crown jewel at the start of this decade — just hoping to hang in there. Top Big Ten programs deliver more.

 

» That said, Nebraska appears to have a true No. 1 corner. Joshua Kalu is that guy. He’s been solid all camp and been thrown at somewhat infrequently in team periods we’ve witnessed. Chris Jones has received a lot more work.