Which Position Group is Strongest and Weakest for HUSKERS?

[Righteous Red]

* My money is on the DB room for Strength, however there is an interdependence with the DL. If we don’t have a pass rush, it puts more pressure on DB’s

* I do see some optimism with our OL, talent is there, can they gel and work as a cohesive unit?

* Some may say we are strong at QB, but TJ really didn’t make a difference last five games except against a weak UCLA. Colandrea was offensive player of year in Mountain West, but how will he stack up against B1G defenses?

* The receiving room looks solid, emphasis should be on better route running and getting separation

* RB’s is a big Question. We were spoiled last year with EJ, much of his yardage was on his own. Hopefully with an improved OL we can still generate yards with a back less talented than EJ. We really need to settle on a main back early, get away from the committee mentality. The real elephant in the room is to find a real elephant on those fourth and inches, especially in the Red Zone. Our elephant should be a guy that only averages 1yd/carry, but he does it 100% of the time! Maybe use a big LB.

* LB, last year our LB’s really struggled, there were times when they were so out of position, overrunning plays,
bad angles of pursuit, then at times they were in the right place but couldn’t execute and make stops behind LOS.

* DL, this is a real area of concern, last year we were not physical, undersized, which doesn’t meet requirements for a typical B1G line. New coaching, schemes, new players and time in weight room hopefully corrects this. Improvement or lack thereof will determine success of season.

* ST’s, I have no idea what to expect. We finally had a blueprint last year on how to be successful, if the new coaches, can capture the residual ideas, attitudes, and strategies from last year, we should be OK.

 

[ATX_Husker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2069195003893514413

 

[MadRat]

Defensive Line, specifically at the nose, is the weakest group. But the ends also have much to prove as only one of ourD ends is a brute. Linebackers - as always - is a huge concern. Not sure we can get stops in short yardage beyond half the first string. Let us remember the defensive front was Rhule's pride according ti his words. Not so much in actions.

Kick coverage is my fourth concern. Kick returns is my fifth. Punting and placekicking are the middle ground.

Our strength begins with a freshman runningback. Too young to carry the team. Maybe too good to afford in year 2. Ohio State and Michigan will buy him out like every other major talent we recruited since NIL began. Our QB situation will need to carry us but it will be Dr Jekyl Mr Hyde. The receivers and OL on paper should be better than 65% of our opponents. TE is leaning towards better than average, but this O disappears them.

The position that loses a game for us is probably long snapper.
Thr position that wins a game for us is probably strong safety.

That is my prediction. Lock it in.

 

[Doc Fumble]

I do see some optimism with our OL, talent is there, can they gel and work as a cohesive unit?

Great OP, RR! And Dittos!!!

Colandrea was offensive player of year in Mountain West, but how will he stack up against B1G defenses?

His mobility to make off-script plays could become our secret weapon!!!

The receiving room looks solid, emphasis should be on better route running and getting separation.

They were good last year but will be better this year with a more wide-open field to run!!!

RB’s is a big Question.

OR... Our biggest surprise!!!

LB, last year our LB’s really struggled, there were times when they were so out of position, overrunning plays,
bad angles of pursuit, then at times they were in the right place but couldn’t execute and make stops behind LOS.

I was a little surprised our LB coach was retained. But the stud LBs we brought in could make their coach look a lot smarter!!!

DL, this is a real area of concern ... New coaching, schemes, new players and time in weight room hopefully corrects this.

Using Hunchie's math: One word: The Breadman!

 

[innmc]

Year one on defense with new concepts the team has to learn as a group.
O line will need time to gell and I see coaches plugging different guys in to find out what works. We'll go as far as the lines on both sides of the ball can take us.
The offense did get into the red zone a lot but came away with too few points so that needs to change

 

[Doc Fumble]

The offense did get into the red zone a lot but came away with too few points so that needs to change

I don't recall now where I heard it but some pundits were discussing CFB's success rate inside the Red Zone. I found it interesting that one of them said a key factor tends to be the mobility of the team's QB.

I'm curious to see our Red Zone scoring this year compares to last season.

 

[Cigarman]

There are a lot of new faces in the position groups. Making rating the groups hard for me to do. However, what I have noticed is that NU has gotten better every year under Rhule. From what I am seeing, I think this will continue this year. The good thing about this is, that if you keep improving, before you know it you are good. I am waiting for that to happen.

 

[ATX_Husker]

 

[ATX_Husker]

 

[Husker99]

I don't know which unit would be the strongest because no unit has positioned themselves to have that label. But I do know which unit is, by far, the weakest and that is the DL. Last year the DL was ____ against the run and couldn't affect the QB on the pass rush. We have a lot bodies on the DL, but nobody who stands out. Now that could change this season, but until they prove it on the field, DL is hands down the biggest weakness.

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

While I usually find I agree with RR on most issues, I don't about the DB room. We lack a shutdown corner and our man to man coverage has been poor in the Rhule era. While the B1G is known for it's run game, the better teams have multiple NFL ready WRs. We will get scored on by the better teams.
Fortunately, our WR room is possibly the best in over a decade. I think it's the strength of our offense. Nyziah, is probably headed for a career in the NFL, Jacory is a dynamic playmaker, Clark has been my choice for surprise impact player, Qwazi Gilmore will probably show out, and we have quality depth. Our craptastic Red Zone results will certainly improve with our tall, physical receivers. We WILL score points.

 

[Jimbosc]

Defensive Line, specifically at the nose, is the weakest group. But the ends also have much to prove as only one of ourD ends is a brute. Linebackers - as always - is a huge concern. Not sure we can get stops in short yardage beyond half the first string. Let us remember the defensive front was Rhule's pride according ti his words. Not so much in actions.

Kick coverage is my fourth concern. Kick returns is my fifth. Punting and placekicking are the middle ground.

Our strength begins with a freshman runningback. Too young to carry the team. Maybe too good to afford in year 2. Ohio State and Michigan will buy him out like every other major talent we recruited since NIL began. Our QB situation will need to carry us but it will be Dr Jekyl Mr Hyde. The receivers and OL on paper should be better than 65% of our opponents. TE is leaning towards better than average, but this O disappears them.

The position that loses a game for us is probably long snapper.
Thr position that wins a game for us is probably strong safety.

That is my prediction. Lock it in.

More concerned about DL than LB - our play on the LOS last season didn't help our LBs - even incrementally better DL play will result in better results at LB. If our Special Team coaching committee can carry over we did last season I think we'll be OK - the PK and Punter should be good enough. Assuming we don't completely fail at long snapper....lol. Offensively - I like the pieces other than the lack of clear go to guys at RB. There is talent. Is it good enough for the B1G? We just don't know. Not sure I like the idea of riding a frosh.

 

[Doc Fumble]

Offensively - I like the pieces other than the lack of clear go to guys at RB. There is talent. Is it good enough for the B1G? We just don't know. Not sure I like the idea of riding a frosh.

Not saying this will happen but if there is a position where a true freshman can come in and become the starter by conference time, it's RB.

 

[ATX_Husker]

Hope for the DL

https://twitter.com/x/status/2069430172324147525

 

[Doc Fumble]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2069430172324147525

A poster here mentioned this new DL addition a few days ago.

Using Hunchie's math: One word: The Breadman!

 

[Huusker]

My (perhaps mistaken) impression is that we're still one player short of a decent starting four-man DL. My guess is that will become painfully obvious when we play Indiana and Oregon back-to-back. But there is time for a fourth lineman to emerge before that Indiana game.

Our line play on both sides needs significant improvement. For once, I'm less concerned about the OL than the DL.

 

[Husker99]

The hiring of Geep Wade, and the visibly positive impact he has had on our OL recruiting, gives me hope that Nebraska is truly getting back to "The Pipeline" standard.

And yes, DL is the one position group that, other than the 5 White Monster energy drinks I have daily, keeps me up at night.

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

Nebraska punt returner named best in the conference heading into 2026 - Yahoo Sports

 

[ATX_Husker]

 

[Husker99]

Regarding the OL, I am 99.99% certain they will be maulers in the run game. What I am considerably less confident in is the OTs and their pass protection on known passing downs. Last season the Husker OTs were embarrassingly bad in pass pro. I think Geep Wade, along with the players we've recruited, and brought in via the Portal, will fix the issue, but time will tell.