Husker secondary could be a question mark

By Nathan Walters  |   Tuesday, August 15, 2006  |  Comments( 22 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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With Nebraska's returning depth in their dominant front seven on defense, nobody really doubts whether or not they can stop the run. But what about the pass? What has happened to Nebraska's once-dominant secondary?

Playmakers like Mike and Ralph Brown (no relation), Eric Warfield, Fabian Washington, and Daniel and Josh Bullocks (related) used to roam the open range behind the Husker linebackers, making sure no pass was caught without contest and every player who happened to make it past the front seven was tackled with a fierceness that made backs and receivers fear the famed Blackshirt secondary.

In 2006, though, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have a wide-open vacancy in their secondary. The Bullocks brothers, Eric Warfield, Fabian Washington and Mike Brown all play in the NFL, and there is no real playmaker left to defend the pass.

Things were complicated even more when starting cornerback Zackary Bowman, a senior from Anchorage, AK, went down for the season with a torn ACL in practice on Saturday. Bowman will redshirt the upcoming season and will return for spring drills.

The Huskers ranked No. 10 in pass efficiency defense in 2005 but only 43rd in overall pass defense. Now both starting free safeties (Daniel Bullocks and Blake Tiedtke) are gone, and Andrew Shanle, younger brother of former Husker starter Scott Shanle, has only seen sporadic playing time and usually excels on special teams. He looks to be at least a backup at strong safety, and incoming freshman Major Culbert, a prized recruit from Southern California, looks to challenge for playing time at the wide-open free safety position.

Culbert excelled on both sides of the ball in high school, holding the school record for rushing yards in a game (332) and rushing for more than 4,000 yards during his career. During his senior season, he also had 106 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions.

Tierre Green, cousin of former Husker Ahman Green, returns with good speed and fundamentals at safety and looks to replace the big hole left by Daniel Bullocks; and Andre Jones, a junior college transfer, already has made a strong impression on coaches and may be the favorite to take over Bowman's starting role. Jones had a stellar sophomore season at Fresno City (Calif.) Junior College, totaling 54 tackles and two interceptions, along with 13 pass breakups.

Junior Tyrell Spain, who played receiver last season, is one of several receivers who switched over to play defensive back and is already showing coaches he can play the position quite well.

"He has certainly proved to us that he has the ability to play as a corner for us," defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said.

Spain was unable to compete for the Huskers last season due to eligibility requirements but had a stellar career at Mesa College in San Diego, catching 46 passes for 858 yards and eight touchdowns in 2004.

Junior Titus Brothers, true freshmen Anthony West and Ricky Thenarse, and receiver Isaiah Fluellen also figure to get into the mix vying for playing time, but only one player, Cortney Grixby, returns with any serious experience. Grixby played in all 11 games in 2004, starting against Kansas and Pittsburgh when Lornell McPherson was sidelined by injury. Grixby started at corner in 2005 and finished with 46 tackles and one interception and is also the Huskers' spark on special teams, averaging 10.4 yards per punt return.

While there are serious needs to fill in the secondary, Nebraska will have a little time to see who will emerge and begin to stake their claim on the coveted Blackshirt that is given out to the starting 11 players on defense. With two home games against Louisiana Tech and Troy to start off the season, Nebraska looks to defend the run more than the pass.

Then they will be tested by Dwayne Jarrett and USC when they travel to Los Angeles on Sept. 16. If the secondary has not gelled perfectly, the Trojans could pick up where they left off last season and leave Husker fans thinking back to the good old days again.

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CommentsComments: 22  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Darren B		10:23 AM
08/15/2006
Sept 16 will be the test of just how good that secondary is but the Db's should be a little behind the learning curve even if it...
No.2
Heater		01:42 PM
08/15/2006
With Bowman out, I don't think NU has anyone who can cover USC's bid body recievers with only a couple of games prior to the...
No.3
Jason G.		02:19 PM
08/15/2006
Darren, Even though I am a Nebraska fan, I have to agree with some of what you are saying. I guess only time will tell but the...
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