This week’s Nebraska Football Positional Preview will be the Linebacker room. This linebacker position is going to be a good one this season in my opinion, maybe not as star-studded as last season but deep across the board. We have eight players in this room currently at sophomore or above, so we may have some movement positionally, maybe some Jack linebacker types move down to an edge rushing DL. Overall, I think this room may not have as many stars early on as our defensive line, but coming into the season we have so many really good players fighting for playing time!
I’d like to start by highlighting the man leading this room, position coach Rob Dvoracek. I can tell you all firsthand that Rob is not only a great coach, but a great guy. He enjoys talking ball with coaches such as myself, and always makes time for us. I fully believe in my heart Coach Dvoracek will be a defensive coordinator one day, and I am very open to that idea happening in Lincoln in the future, depending on how things shake up.
Moving onto the players themselves, I think this room has some obvious strengths coming into this season. Like I previously said, this room has lots of depth, but also look at the versatility in this group. We have guys that are well rounded, good at attacking the run game, pass coverage and even some pass rushing talent at our Jack linebacker. This overall group is pretty good at tackling which is a big plus in today’s game, with all the rule changes and less physical practices. My only perceived “weakness” here, is who will be the guys that step up to be the DUDE? Replacing studs such as Reimer and Henrich is going to be tough, and although this room is deep, having some great linebackers who make big plays is a huge plus, especially when teams have to specifically gameplan for them. Reimer ended his career as the top five leading tackler in Blackshirt history, and Henrich was a single digit on his jersey guy, and we all know how important that is on a Matt Rhule team. Who is going to step up and be the guy?
For those of you who don’t know, what Nebraska calls the Jack linebacker is a versatile linebacker that is expected to be sometimes pressuring from the edge, sometimes contain, might even see them show blitz and cover flats depending on the guy. This player must be a good tackler in space, as they can sometimes be the saving grace from a tackle at the line of scrimmage from turning into a speedy skill player getting to the edge. I am personally expecting MJ Sherman to start at Jack in August. He is poised for a big season, especially if we walk that Jack linebacker up as much as we did at the back half of last fall. Playing in all 12 games last season, I expect him to have a much bigger role, especially statistically. Mikai Gbayor is another potential option at getting playing time at Jack, also playing in all 12 games and getting 3 sacks last season. Sneaky pick for a huge season is Princewill Umanmielen, having a great true freshman season ending with 22 tackles in 2023.
I expect big things from our other two linebacker spots as well. John Bullock is probably our most experienced player in the group, and could have the best season too. Having 50 tackles last fall is a big deal in such a loaded defense, and wearing that #5 means something! He is definitely going to be a force this fall. Javin Wright is also going to play a big role in this defense, having 51 tackles last year and will be a solid starter in the Big 10. Stephon Thompson is a newcomer to Lincoln that could play a huge role. Having transferred in after not just playing, but starting for Tony White at Syracuse will be a good thing already understanding his scheme. True freshmen to watch make some contributions are Willis McGahee IV and Vincent Shavers Jr, both from the Miami area. McGahee IV could be a potential NFL guy, with his family legacy and his insane physical attributes. Running a 11.34 100 meter dash is so impressive at 225 pounds. Might not be ready for a huge role this season, he needs some development but he is someone to keep an eye on. Shavers Jr. is the name I have heard that could become he next great Nebraska linebacker. Shavers Jr. has all the physical tools, and the intangibles to be a factor in the coming years. SO excited for this kid.
Overall, I think this group starts off finding out who “the guys” are, as replacing last year’s group will be a tall task, but as the season progresses I do think they will be just as good, if not better as an overall group. So many of these guys have put on good size this off-season, more experience in the system, so although there will be less known commodities, the overall talent could be higher by the end of the season. I am pumped for this group, but how are you all feeling on the Blackshirt linebacker room?
