Husker FB - Spring Practice

HuskerExtra discusses the returning Blackshirts as spring practice starts today.

The big issue for the defense is the loss of the entire front four, but a number of players with exeperience return; DTs sophmore Ndamukong Suh and junior Ty Steinkuhler are expected to start, with last year's juco Brandon Johnson and this year's juco DT Shukree Barfield expected to contribute, although there has been some talk of Steinkuhler moving to end, so underclassman Craig Roark and/or Seth Jensen may be pressed into service as well. At end, juniors Barry Turner and Zach Potter are the expected starters, with Clayton Sievers moving from LB to back up Turner at the "open" end and redshirt frosh Pierre Allen behind Potter at "base" unless Steinkuhler moves over.

LB will again be the strength of the unit. Corey McKeon returnes at Mike, and talented but injury plagued Steve Octavien returns at WIL. The big news of the spring on defense has been to move of WIL starter Bo Ruud to SAM linebacker in place of graduated Stew Bradley, a move I really like as it puts our three best and most experienced backers on the field. Phil Dilliard returns to backup McKeon, Lance Brandenburgh backs up at WIL (although he has played all 3 spots) and Nick Covey and Kyle Moore will apparently compete for SAM backup position with Sievers move to end.

The other big question for the spring is the secondary. Starting corners Courtney Grixby, Andre Jones, and the injured Zach Bowman return for their senior seasons and juco transfer Armando Murillo is on hand for the spring as well. At safety, senior Tierre Green undergoes another position change to free safety after playing the strong side last season and was a CB two seasons ago and was a RB as a freshman. Green makes way for newcoming juco Larry Asante, also on hand this spring, as the expected starter at SS. Ricky Thenarse move from CB to compete with Asante, and Anthony West also moves from CB to back up Green. Former safety Major Culbert moves over to the other side of the ball to play at RB next season.

I'll look at the offense tomorrow.