2016 Husker Camp Countdown

[Mavric]

36 - Sam Cotton

6-5 | 250 | Senior | TE

Cotton finished the spring in the best shape of his career — which is a reflection of his character. He stayed fully committed to Nebraska’s program after its administration fired the previous staff (including his dad, Barney). The offense should benefit from Sam’s versatility. He’s a good blocker with enough agility to escape into the open field on play-action passes. Cotton caught three passes in each of his first three seasons. That could go up if the coaches follow through with their plans to play their tight ends more.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

35 - Kieron Williams

6-1 | 195 | Junior | Safety

The spring was an important one for Williams. He received 15 practices worth of first-team reps as sophomores Aaron Williams and Antonio Reed were out with injuries, and he performed well. He’s still learning — like everyone else in a relatively new system. It should be a competitive preseason camp between all the candidates vying to suit up next to senior Nate Gerry. Even if Williams isn’t a defensive starter, he’ll still be a key contributor on special teams. He’s the guy who blocked three punts as a freshman. He’s had 12 special teams tackles the last two years, second only behind Andy Janovich.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

34 - Alex Davis

6-5 | 255 | Redshirt freshman | DE

He’s perhaps the most intriguing prospect on Nebraska’s squad. Davis played just one year of high school football, but he flashed a level of explosiveness that caught the attention of college coaches. He made an instant impact at NU, too, earning the scout team’s defensive co-MVP award last fall. The Huskers need a third-down, pass-rushing presence off the edge. Maybe Davis is that guy.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

33 - Chris Weber

6-3 | 230 | Junior | LB

When he was healthy, Weber was a key part of Nebraska’s defense last year — directing traffic as the middle linebacker and making a few plays by knifing his way into the action. His 49 total tackles ranked sixth on the team (third among linebackers). He had five stops behind the line of scrimmage, too.

The Elkhorn product, a former walk-on, often gets overlooked in a position group full of potential. But Weber can play. He’s also the smartest guy in the room, carrying a GPA over 3.9.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

32 - Mikale Wilbon

5-9 | 195 | Sophomore | RB

His lack of playing time in 2015 still raises a question about whether Wilbon is capable of a breakout year. He seems to have the physical skills to play the role Nebraska envisions for its running back — quick-footed in space with soft hands and a low center of gravity — but Wilbon had to increase his knowledge of the system last year, particularly in pass protection.

He made a positive impression this spring. He may need to make another jump in August.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

31 - Mick Stoltenberg

6-5 | 290 | Sophomore | DT

The play was whistled dead, but Stoltenberg’s athletic skills were on display when he picked up a muffed punt and sprinted toward the end zone in NU’s final regular-season game against Iowa. He might be the X-factor on Nebraska’s defensive line this fall, assuming he’s recovered from a knee injury suffered in December. The former Gretna standout — with his long and strong frame — looks ready to handle the rigors of interior line play. He just hasn’t been tested.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

30 - Antonio Reed

6-2 | 220 | Sophomore | S

Too bad Reed needed shoulder surgery last winter and was forced to miss spring practice, because he was coming off an important performance in the Foster Farms Bowl. The staff moved him into a dime role for the matchup with UCLA, and Reed played the second half at safety after the ejection of Nate Gerry.

There is plenty of time for him to catch up, however, and he will get a good look in August as the Huskers plot their secondary. Size and athleticism will help his cause, and Reed got some good experience last season as one of NU’s most important players on special teams. The native of the Memphis area finished with 10 tackles and two forced fumbles as a true freshman.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

29 - Drew Brown

6-3 | 195 | Junior | K

With two productive seasons already behind him, Brown has positioned himself as a strong postseason honors candidate for 2016. The native of Southlake, Texas, is the first Husker to have 100-point seasons as a freshman and a sophomore, and he jumped his field goal accuracy (66.7 percent to 77.8) from his first season.

Brown showed his biggest improvement from beyond 40 yards, hitting his last 12 from 40-49 yards in 2015. He’s also a valuable asset on kickoffs, registering 32 touchbacks. Brown was a second-team All-Big Ten player last season in voting by league media members.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

HuskerOnline is counting down their Top 40

 

Might be interesting to see if there are big differences.

 

40 - Sedrick King (OWH had him as Honorable Mention)

39 - DaiShon Neal (#41 in OWH)

38 - Luke McNitt (#46)

36t - Sam Cotton (#36)

36t - Kieron Williams (#35)

[Mavric]

28 - Marcus Newby

6-1 | 235 | Junior | LB

With the Huskers battling injury problems at linebacker, Newby made six starts as a sophomore and showed some of what he is capable of doing (eight tackles vs. Michigan State). He finished the season with 34 total tackles, including five for a loss, and four pass breakups. If you hadn’t already taken notice of his athleticism, Newby put it on paper by posting the highest performance index score of any NU athlete. His 10-yard dash time (1.60 seconds) gives you an idea of the explosiveness. Newby battled his own injuries in 2015, and the Foster Farms Bowl was one of three games he missed.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

HuskerOnline 31-35

 

35 - Alex Davis (#34 in OWH)

34 - Jordan Ober (Honorable Mention)

33 - Chris Weber (#33)

32 - Lamar Jackson (#24)

31 - Carlos Davis (#38)

[Mavric]

27 - Ross Dzuris

6-3 | 255 | Senior | DE

After not playing a snap the previous two seasons, Dzuris suddenly was an important piece as Nebraska dealt with shortages on its defensive line in 2015. The former walk-on from Plattsmouth started four games and played in all 13, and nine of his 24 tackles were made behind the line of scrimmage. Dzuris was honored as the most improved player during Huskers’ postseason banquet. NU will be very young and largely unproven at defensive end in 2016 — sophomore Freedom Akinmoladun is the only other returnee with any game experience — so his guidance and leadership might be as important as his play.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

HuskerOnline 30-26

 

30 - Mikale Wilbon (#32 in OWH)

29 - Mick Stoltenberg (#31)

28 - Ross Dzuris (#27)

27 - Alonzo Moore (#22)

26 - Marcus Newby (#28)

[Mavric]

26 - Khalil Davis

6-2 | 290 | Redshirt freshmen | DT

Davis surely took notice as Maliek Collins and Vincent Valentine declared for the NFL draft, and then both Kevin Williams and Greg McMullen decided they were either done as Huskers or done with football. The opportunity at defensive tackle is very real, and Davis spent enough time with the No. 1 defense during spring practice to realize how close he might be.

Already compact and powerful, Davis added some good weight during his redshirt season to get into the 290s. He also came out of winter conditioning as the Husker Power athlete of the year. Davis will be challenged by twin brother Carlos, Mick Stoltenberg and Peyton Newell for the starting DT job opposite Kevin Maurice.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

25 - Tanner Farmer

6-4 | 295 | Sophomore | G

Nothing is complete, but the rugged third-year player from Highland, Illinois, came out of spring practice looking like the No. 1 at right guard. Farmer also was drawing praise for his physical play and toughness, something line coach Mike Cavanaugh has been stressing for his front five.

Farmer didn’t play as a redshirt freshman, so experience is missing, but the Huskers lost four seniors from their 2015 line and are looking for several players to step up. Senior Corey Whitaker will keep him honest when practice begins. Farmer kept busy last winter with some work with the Nebraska wrestling team, going 5-1 in open tournaments as a backup 285-pounder.

 

OWH