DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Breakdown by Sam McKewon

LATEST WORD

It has been years since Nebraska's front four was this deep. Defensive tackle Jared Crick appears to have recovered from a knee injury in spring camp, while defensive end Cameron Meredith seems to be back from shoulder surgery. A battle for playing time rages at one line spot, while defensive coordinator Carl Pelini explores more creative ways of using his depth.

WHO CAN HELP

As many as eight guys, thanks to good recruiting and relative lack of serious injuries. Although NU has two talented true freshmen in Todd Peat Jr. and Kevin Williams, it's possible that neither will have to play in 2011. The line is that deep and experienced.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Joseph Carter, Jr., 6-5, 250: This junior college transfer projects as an edge rusher

Jason Ankrah, So., 6-4, 265: Has frame and speed to start opposite Meredith

Cameron Meredith, Jr., 6-4, 260: Smart, versatile end is one of Carl Pelini's favorites. Plus, he rocks the mustache

Eric Martin, Jr., 6-2, 260: Converted linebacker has speed and high motor. Still a special-teams dynamo

Walker Ashburn, RFr., 6-2, 255: Gained weight and strength during a redshirt year

Tobi Okuyemi, RFr., 6-2, 265: Stout defensive end. Could he slide inside to tackle?

J.C. Moore, RFr., 6-3, 265: Fremont native made the Big 12 honor roll in redshirt season

Thaddeus Randle, So., 6-1, 300: He's gained 40 pounds in two years. He now resembles a tank with good feet and technique

Baker Steinkuhler, Jr., 6-6, 290: Started 13 games in 2010. Not splashy — but very consistent

Todd Peat Jr., Fr., 6-3, 305: Highly touted 2011 recruit who could redshirt

Jeff Uher, RFr., 6-1, 275: Creighton Prep graduate will provide depth at tackle

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Nathaniel Allen, Fr., 6-1, 270: Walk-on freshman had 105 tackles last year for Ainsworth

Josh Molek, Jr., 6-3, 255: Valuable walk-on reserve graduated from Omaha Skutt

Kenny Anderson, Jr., 6-2, 260: Millard West graduate returns after sitting out spring

Andy Gdowski, RFr., 6-3, 255: Gained 20 pounds in redshirt year. Dad played at NU from 1980-'82

Conor McDermott, Jr., 6-2, 255: Creighton Prep graduate could play end or tackle

Terrence Moore, Sr., 6-3, 290: Explosive senior tackle who can rush the passer but struggles with nagging injuries

Donovan Vestal, RFr., 6-5, 250: Had a strong year on the scout team

Kevin Williams, Fr., 6-2, 270: Carl Pelini raved about this true freshman in spring, but his redshirt still seems safe

Jared Crick, Sr., 6-6, 285: Spurned NFL for senior season and could be college football's best overall defensive lineman this season

Chase Rome, RFr., 6-3, 295: Added 15 pounds of muscle in redshirt year

Josh Williams, Jr., 6-4, 260: Maybe the fastest of the ends, Williams is a weapon on pass-rushing downs

Jay Guy, RFr., 6-1, 295: Lost 10 pounds in redshirt year and has a quick first step

LINEBACKERS

Breakdown by Sam McKewon

LATEST WORD

Junior Sean Fisher has finally shaken off the aftereffects of a devastating leg and ankle injury suffered in 2010 fall camp. Junior Will Compton has furthered emerged as a vocal leader. And senior Lavonte David, coming off a 152-tackle season, is poised to get even better, his teammates and coaches say. Scary. Now — what about some depth? The Big Ten will require more base defense from NU. Which means more linebackers.

WHO CAN HELP

Beyond David, Compton and Fisher, that's the big question. It appears three in-state walk-ons — senior Mathew May, junior Graham Stoddard and redshirt freshman Trevor Roach — are the backups right now. Look for all three on special teams, too.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Lavonte David, Sr., 6-1, 225: Finished with 15 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2010, too

Derek Slaughter, Fr., 5-11, 195: The rare true freshman walk-on to make the 105-man roster. Could play special teams

Jim Ebke, Sr., 6-0, 205: Converted safety is a key part of NU's special teams. Had five tackles in 2010

Mathew May, Sr., 6-1, 215: Speedster is finally over a devastating hernia injury. Finished with 10 tackles last year

Graham Stoddard, Jr., 6-2, 235: Currently backing up Fisher. Finished with 12 special teams tackles last year

Max Pirman, Fr., 6-5, 215: Tall, well-built true freshman could inhabit hybrid LB/DE role on defense

David Santos, Fr., 6-0, 205: True freshman was Houston-area defensive player of the year in 2010

Sean Fisher, Jr., 6-6, 235, , Coaches rave about his athleticism and intelligence. Now he must stay healthy

Trevor Roach, RFr., 6-2, 235: The linebacker surprise of the spring. He's the No. 2 middle linebacker behind Compton

Micah Kreikemeier, Jr., 6-3, 220: The "Tom Osborne recruit" finally seems healthy after a spate of injuries

Alonzo Whaley, Jr., 6-1, 235: Started 2010 season opener and made a key fourth-down stop vs. South Dakota State

Matt Manninger, Jr., 6-1, 220: Creighton Prep product will supply depth as a walk-on

Broderick Boehm, Fr., 5-11, 210: True freshman walk-on had 315 tackles in three years at Lincoln Southeast

Will Compton, Jr., 6-2, 230: Popular vocal leader hopes to stay healthy after missing five games last year

Colby Starkebaum, So., 6-1, 220: Walk-on whose father, John, lettered for NU from 1972-'74

Jack Gangwish, Fr., 6-2, 225: Walk-on from Wood River whose father, Paul, lettered for NU in the 1980s

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Breakdown by Jon Nyatawa

LATEST WORD

Nebraska had one of the nation's best secondaries last season, and even though the Huskers lost three key playmakers (Prince Amukamara, Eric Hagg and DeJon Gomes) from that unit, they still have plenty of candidates to step up. Credit the NU coaches for fortifying their defensive backfield during the past three years. Senior Alfonzo Dennard has reached lockdown status, while cornerback Ciante Evans may have just as much potential. Safeties Austin Cassidy and Courtney Osborne took over the starting jobs midway through last season, and they may never give those up.

WHO CAN HELP

Safety P.J. Smith is a former starter who likely will find his way into the rotation at safety if he doesn't end up emerging as a starter. Redshirt safeties Harvey Jackson and Corey Cooper had promising springs. As did cornerbacks Josh Mitchell and Andrew Green. Both are in the mix as top backups behind Dennard and Evans. Watch for Antonio Bell, too. Standing at 6-foot-2, the junior has a height advantage that most defenders do not get to enjoy.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Harvey Jackson, RFr., 6-2, 205: The potential backup at safety had five tackles and an interception in the spring game

Antonio Bell, Jr., 6-2, 200: Once a receiver, now a cornerback, Bell has the physical tools to make an impact

Daimion Stafford, Jr., 6-1, 210: Joined the team just before camp after transferring from junior college; working at safety

Josh Mitchell, RFr., 5-11, 165: Poised to earn at least a second-team spot on the depth chart at cornerback

Corey Cooper, RFr., 6-1, 210: The athletic safety from the Chicago region could be a special teams stud this fall

Austin Cassidy, Sr., 6-1, 210: One of the defense's coaches on the field, Cassidy's set to start at safety

Dijon Washington, So., 6-0, 190: Emerging as a capable CB reserve during preseason camp after hardly playing last year

Andrew Green, So., 6-0, 190: Brother Aaron was the highly touted recruit, but Andrew may be the team's third-best cornerback

Courtney Osborne, Jr., 6-3, 200: The hard-hitting safety took over a starting spot midway through last season

P.J. Smith , Jr., 6-2, 210: A one-time starter, the safety brings experience and leadership to the defensive backfield

Daniel Davie, Fr., 6-1, 185: Survived an eligibility scare and then moved from receiver to the secondary before camp

Anthony Blue, Sr., 5-10, 190: Suffered two major knee injuries, went through fall camp and then opted not to play this fall

Alfonzo Dennard, Sr., 5-10, 205: A physically imposing presence, Dennard's one of the best corners in the game

Yusef Wade, RFr., 5-10, 185: The 2010 defensive scout team MVP back in the secondary after a brief stint at RB

Ciante Evans , So., 5-11, 185: Filled in admirably for Dennard late in the 2010 season and now is expected to start

Charles Jackson, Fr., 5-11, 180: Awaiting an NCAA ruling, Jackson may not be cleared to enroll at NU this fall

Wil Richards, So., 5-11, 195: The former Class 5A all-state pick out of Missouri will battle for playing time at safety

Bronson Marsh, Fr., 6-0, 200: Signed in 2010, but took a grayshirt and did not join the program until January

Lance Thorell, Sr., 6-1, 200: A steady and proven option, Thorell could be a top candidate for the dime back spot

Austin Williams, RFr., 6-0, 190: The former Omaha Burke standout had 102 tackles as a high school senior

Joey Felici, RFr., 5-9, 175: He's the son of former Husker defensive end Tony Felici, a two-time All-Big Eight honoree

Seth Jameson, So., 6-1, 200: The walk-on from the Dallas area was a sprinter on his high school track team

Derek Foster, RFr., 5-11, 190: Set multiple records during his career at Elm Creek High School

Jase Dean, Jr., 6-0, 200: Recovering from a serious injury suffered during spring practice

Marcus Mendoza, Sr., 5-10, 190: The one-time offensive skill player hopes his speed will help him on defense

Andrew Holt, RFr., 6-0, 200: Brother Matt was a walk-on linebacker for the Huskers

Justin Blatchford, Jr., 6-1, 200: Emerging as a top candidate for the open nickel back spot

LATEST

Special teams coordinator John Papuchis has his hands full. No more Alex Henery. The do-it-all specialist made just about every field goal and served as an above-average punter. Also gone is Adi Kunalic, who consistently booted kickoffs to the end zone, helping Nebraska field one of the nation's best coverage teams. Top return man Niles Paul is on an NFL roster now, too. The Huskers do have Brett Maher returning, Henery's underrated and unknown protégé. Rex Burkhead has proved to be a reliable kickoff and punt returner, if needed.

WHO CAN HELP

Talented true freshman kicker Mauro Bondi may end up beating out Maher for the top kicker spot. Jon Damkroger will try to challenge Maher at punter. Nebraska is overloaded with athletic and agile play-makers to experiment with as returners — Jamal Turner, Kenny Bell, Tim Marlowe, Braylon Heard and Ameer Abdullah. As always, expect to see a few marquee players contributing on several of the special teams units.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Jon Damkroger, Sr., 6-1, 185: Will battle with Brett Maher for the starting punter job

Mauro Bondi, Fr., 6-0, 190: Choosing to commit late to NU, Bondi could take over field-goal duties this fall

Sam Meginnis, Jr., 6-2, 230: Now a long snapper, the Lincoln East product was a star high school linebacker

P.J. Mangieri, Jr., 6-4, 240: Nebraska's starting long snapper for the past two seasons

Brett Maher, Jr., 6-0, 185: Proved in the spring that he could punt, kickoff and kick field goals this fall

Joseph Rotherham, Fr., 6-0, 200: The walk-on joined the team to compete at the long snapper position

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