The loss of Kevin Maurice shouldn't be undersold, but there seems a formidable foundation on the inside of this Husker D-line, starting with Carlos Davis, Stoltenberg and Khalil Davis. Carlos Davis, in particular, has shown the signs of being a special player as he enters his third year in the program.
But … depth needs to be built up. Stoltenberg talked about it after the bowl. There will be just four scholarship defensive tackles on NU's roster during the spring. This is a league of big bodies, and honestly, one position where the Huskers walked away pretty clean healthwise this year was defensive tackle. You can't always count on that.
The search for difference-makers at defensive end also remains. Give credit to the departing Dzuris for always playing hard, leading the team in both tackles for loss (13½) and sacks (5½). Someone has to step into that end spot opposite Akinmoladun, who had four sacks and a team-leading 10 QB hurries. Alex Davis might be the first option. He arrived in Lincoln as more of a raw prospect but is now in his third year here and played some key snaps this season.
King saw some action and might need to see more of it now. Omaha Central grad Neal also has a big offseason ahead as he tries to make his case.
