:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53543975/Oregon-85.0.0.jpg)
One of the main issues with Nebraska’s Secondary the past few seasons is that they have gone through many coaches in the past 6 years. How many? Well, let’s count them.
You had Marvin Sanders, Corey Raymond, Charlton Warren, Brian Stewart and now the combination of Donte’ Williams & Bob Elliott, who have split up Cornerbacks & Safeties.
That’s a lot of coaches who have come through, and with three schemes in the past 4 seasons, that’s a lot to learn, unlearn and relearn.
The Nebraska Secondary play was better in 2016, going from 122nd in FBS to a modest 49th. While there is room to improve, the Huskers seemed to do better in a quarters type of coverage that former DC Mark Banker instilled. The team also seemed to do better when Banker split up the Safeties and Corners between him and Stewart.
Now that both coaches are gone to other places, however, it’s critical for the Nebraska Secondary to find a new starting Safety to replace a local legend, as well as getting new talent ready to play on the field more.
Departed:
Nate Gerry - 74 total tackles in ‘16, 4 interceptions & 1 sack. Also suspended for Fresno State (team rules) and the bowl game vs. Tennessee (grades)
Charles Jackson - left the team in September.
Returning:
2017 Returning Defensive Backs
| No | Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Year | Hometown (Prev School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Year | Hometown (Prev School) |
| 8 | Chris Jones | CB | 6-0 | 185 | Sr. | Jacksonville, Fla. (Sandalwood) |
| 11 | Boaz Joseph | CB | 6-1 | 190 | Sr. | Weston, Fla. (Cypress Bay) |
| 10 | Joshua Kalu | CB | 6-1 | 190 | Sr. | Houston, Texas (Alief Taylor) |
| 6 | Eric Lee Jr. | CB | 6-0 | 190 | So. | Milton, Mass. (Valor Christian (Colorado)) |
| 23 | Dicaprio Bootle | DB | 5-10 | 180 | RFr. | Miami, Fla. (Southridge) |
| 2 | Tony Butler | DB | 6-2 | 195 | RFr. | Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward) |
| 19 | Marquel Dismuke | DB | 6-2 | 180 | RFr. | Calabasas, Calif. (Calabasas) |
| 13 | JoJo Domann | DB | 6-1 | 205 | So. | Colorado Springs, Colo. (Pine Creek) |
| 29 | Nolan Graham | DB | 5-11 | 200 | Jr. | Firth, Neb. (Norris) |
| 1 | Lamar Jackson | DB | 6-3 | 195 | So. | Elk Grove, Calif. (Franklin) |
| 36 | Reid Karel | DB | 6-3 | 205 | So. | Seward, Neb. (Seward) |
| 35 | Jeremiah Stovall | DB | 5-11 | 175 | So. | Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep) |
| 28 | Eli Sullivan | DB | 6-2 | 190 | RFr. | Longmont, Colo. (Longmont) |
| 4 | Avery Anderson | S | 6-0 | 185 | So. | Surprise, Ariz. (Pine Creek (Colorado Springs)) |
| 16 | Antonio Reed | S | 6-2 | 220 | Jr. | Memphis, Tenn. (Southaven (Miss.)) |
| 24 | Aaron Williams | S | 5-11 | 185 | Jr. | Atlanta, Ga. (Carver) |
| 26 | Kieron Williams | S | 6-1 | 195 | Sr. | Shreveport, La. (Air Force Prep) (C.E. Byrd) |
Newcomers:
2017 New Defensive Back
| Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Yr | Hometown (Prev School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Yr | Hometown (Prev School) |
| Elijah Blades | DB | 6-2 | 170 | Fr. | Pasadena, Calif. (John Muir) |
Earlier last week, Mike Riley had a depth chart for the start of Spring football. Here’s what he had listed:
Field Corner: Chris Jones, DiCaprio Bootle (Eric Lee was omitted Wednesday, he would be between Jones & Bootle)
Boundary Corner: Joshua Kalu/Lamar Jackson, Boaz Joseph
Free Safety: Aaron Williams, Kieron Williams, Tony Butler
Strong Safety: Antonio Reed, JoJo Domann, Marquel Dismuke
One has to wonder how much Kalu can hold off Jackson and stay in the starting Corner on the boundary. It’s not like Kalu would not see the field, he’d simply become the nickle corner.
Also, with the talent that Blades is bringing to Nebraska, he’ll probably find the field by conference play at either corner. What gives Nebraska some flexibility is that Blades & Lamar Jackson would not just be alright at Safety, but welcome it as well.
Nebraska’s secondary will have to get better this year as the front goes through some major changes. Will they? Time will tell, but the faster they & the staff teaching them can get acclimated to Bob Diaco’s system, the better.