For Nebraska, a return to greatness starts with McKeon

By Connor Byrne  |   Sunday, June 25, 2006  |  Comments( 42 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Recently, Nebraska Cornhuskers middle linebacker Corey McKeon was placed on the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award. The prestigious honor is given at the conclusion of college football's regular season, and is presented to the player voted as the best defender in the nation.

Much like the 59 other names chosen for the esteemed list, McKeon, a junior, was added because of high expectations.

Last year was McKeon's first as a starter for the Huskers, and he made it count. On the season, the Illinois native racked up 97 total tackles (61 solo), seven sacks and three interceptions in helping 8-4 Nebraska return to a more relevant position than it had in 2004, when the team finished just 5-6.

Entering the upcoming season, Nebraska is expected to once again be competing for a Big 12 title, and possibly more. The Blackshirt defense, led by McKeon, will be the unit counted on by the Husker faithful to return the program to its formerly prominent days.

At this time last year, the Nebraska Cornhuskers' coaching staff was hoping McKeon would become a solid starter. Luckily for them, he's become much more. McKeon had a vast amount of pressure on him, since he was replacing former Husker great Barrett Ruud. Certainly, McKeon more than exceeded the fans' expectations.

When Ruud left for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to 2005, many in Lincoln were worried that his leadership and on-field prowess would be irreplaceable. However, McKeon stepped in and performed masterfully last season, and will likely do the same again. As a result, nobody in Lincoln has any concern over the spot Ruud vacated. In fact, he's become somewhat of an afterthought.

In today's college football landscape, Penn State senior linebacker Paul Posluszny gets most of the praise. The Nittany Lions' star definitely deserves it, but don't think the 225-pound McKeon doesn't belong in the same class. Both are defensive leaders with the ability to change a game in one fell swoop.

How many games will McKeon change in 2006 for Bill Callahan's squad? Let's all bet on at least a couple.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on Corey McKeon at Realfootball365.com
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