The spring semester at Nebraska is officially in the books and the latest wave of departures from the football program appears to have settled down. With that being the case, now is a perfect time to take stock of where the roster stands heading into the summer.
We’ll began with the offensive side of the ball on Tuesday. Today it’s the defense’s turn.
Defensive Line (23)
Scholarship Nose Tackles (4): Vaha Vainuku (SR), Darrion Daniels (SR), Jahkeem Green (JR), Damion Daniels (SO)
Scholarship Defensive Ends (12): Carlos Davis (SR), Khalil Davis (SR), DaiShon Neal (SR), Ben Stille (JR), Deontre Thomas (rSO), Chris Walker (SO), Tate Wildeman (rFR), Casey Rodgers (rFR), Mosai Newsom (FR), Ethan Piper (FR), Brant Banks (FR), Ty Robinson (FR)
Walk-On Defensive Linemen (7): Fyn Anderson (SR), Damian Jackson (SO), Ben Lingenfelter (SO), Colton Feist (rFR), Ryan Schommer (rFR), Jacob Herbek (FR), Matt Huser (FR)
The defensive line didn’t see any attrition through the spring. In fact, line coach Tony Tuioti picked up another commitment from junior college transfer Jahkeem Green who has three years to play two seasons and could potentially play either end or nose. Darrion Daniels showed himself to be a difference-maker as both a leader and a player.
Tuioti will add seven freshmen (four scholarship, three walk-on) to his room this summer, giving Nebraska a deep stable of very large humans to work with.
Linebackers (27)
Scholarship Inside Linebackers (6): Mohamed Barry (SR), Will Honas (JR), Collin Miller (JR), Nick Henrich (FR), Jackson Hannah (FR), Garrett Snodgrass (FR)
Walk-On Inside Linebackers (8): Joseph Johnson (rFR), Jake Archer (rFR), Chris Cassidy (rFR), Anthony Banderas (rFR), Garrett Hustedt (FR), Luke Reimer (FR), Braden Sellon (FR), John BUllock (FR)
Scholarship Outside Linebackers (8): Tyrin Ferguson (SR), Alex Davis (SR), JoJo Domann (JR), Pernell Jefferson (JR), Caleb Tannor (SO), David Alston (rFR), Garrett Nelson (FR), Jamin Graham (FR)
Walk-On Outside Linebackers (5): Jordan Paup (SO), Simon Otte (rFR), Caden McCormack (FR), Nick Leader (FR), Sam Shurtleff (FR)
Inside linebacker was very shallow this spring with Mohamed Barry and Collin Miller as the only two on scholarship who made it through the spring fully healthy, but reinforcements are on the way in the form of Jackson Hannah and Garrett Snodgrass plus a few other walk-ons. Junior walk-ons Grant and Spencer Jordan are no longer on the roster.
Outside linebacker certainly saw some attrition following the spring as both Quayshon Alexander and Breon Dixon announced they were leaving. However, JoJo Domann packed on the pounds and played more outside ‘backer than safety during the spring, though he still spent time in both position meeting rooms. Garrett Nelson made an impression during spring ball with his fearless style of play and Jamin Graham will be joining that group this summer as well.
Defensive Backs (24)
Scholarship Cornerbacks (8): Lamar Jackson (SR), Avery Anderson (SR), Dicaprio Bootle (JR), Tony Butler (JR), Cam Taylor (SO), Braxton Clark (rFR), Myles Farmer (FR), Javin Wright (FR)
Walk-On Cornerbacks (2): Jeramiah Stovall (SR), Ethan Cox (SO)
Scholarship Safeties (6): Eric Lee Jr. (SR), Deontai Williams (JR), Marquel Dismuke (JR), CJ Smith (rFR), Quinton Newsome (FR), Noa Pola-Gates (FR)
Walk-On Safeties (8): Reid Karel (SR), Eli Sullivan (JR), Bradley Bunner (SO), Lane McCallum (SO), Corbin Ruth (SO), Isaiah Stalbird (rFR), Cam Kleinschmidt (FR), Tyson Guzman (FR)
Cam Jones was the only scholarship departure from the secondary, though Corbin Frederick, the walk-on safety who came to Nebraska with Jones, is also not on the roster anymore.
Cam Taylor was working at both corner and safety the spring as the coaches want to get him on the field any way they can. Eric Lee Jr. has moved to safety heading into his senior season. Chad Alioth Jr., who originally made the team as a wide receiver during a walk-on tryout, was playing cornerback during the spring and made a few nice plays during the spring game, but he is no longer listed on the roster.
CJ Smith is still working his way back from the torn ACL suffered during the season. The secondary will soon get an infusion of youth and talent as well with the upcoming arrival of Myles Farmer, Javin Wright, Quinton Newsome and Noa Pola-Gates. All four players are versatile and coulee player either corner or safety once they get to Lincoln.
Class Tally
Seniors: 14 (11 scholarship, 3 walk-on)
Juniors: 11 (10 scholarship, 1 walk-on)
Sophomores: 12 (5 scholarship, 7 walk-on)
Redshirt Freshmen: 13 (5 scholarship, 8 walk-on)
True Freshmen: 24 (13 scholarship, 11 walk-on)
Total: 74 (44 scholarship, 30 walk-on)
Jacob Padilla has been writing for Hail Varsity since 2015. He covers football, volleyball men’s basketball and prep sports. He also co-hosts the Nebraska Preps Postgame and Nebraska Shootaround podcasts for the Hurrdat Media and Hail Varsity podcast networks. His love of basketball can best be described as an obsession and if you need to find him, he’s probably in a gym somewhere watching, coaching or playing hoops.
