Taking A Look Ahead AT 2013 Needs (Defense)
By Jimmie Allen
With Signing Day 2012 fresh in our mind, we take a look at the departure of the upcoming senior class, and upcoming high school seniors. Nebraska has a couple big targets already for the 2013 class. Here is a look at the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive End
Needs 2-3
With Josh Williams kicked off the team, and Eric Martin, Cameron Meredith and Joseph Carter leaving after their senior season. There will be a large need for defensive ends in the 2013 class.
The Huskers will return Jason Ankrah, Walker Ashburn, and Tobi Okuyemi, all of whom have had a redshirt season under there belt. Ankrah is the only one of whom has seen major playing time. Ashburn and Okuyemi will compete for playing time this season.
In 2012 Nebraska added 4 star Greg McMullen and 3 star Avery Moss. McMullen has a tall list ahead of him, but has the ability to come in and compete for playing time. Moss will more than likely redshirt.
Nebraska has offered scholarships to Pickerington, Ohio Central High School’s Taco Charlton, and Milton, Wisconsin’s A.J. Natter. Both are big time targets from inside Big 10 country. They will be hard to pull out of their home states, but the Huskers are in the early running for both prospects.
Defensive Tackle
Needs 1-2
With Justin Jackson moving back to the offensive side of the ball Baker Steinkuhler is the only senior graduating after this season.
The Huskers will return Tood Peat Jr., Thaddeus Randle, Chase Rome, Jeff Uher, and Kevin Williams. Williams and Peat made waves on the scout team this season. They the early favorites to compete for playing time this season, and take over for Steinkuhler.
In 2012 the Huskers landed a pair of three star prospects in Aaron Curry, and Vincent Valentine. Curry will more then likely have a shot at playing time in 2012, but Valentine will need to get himself ready for the next level, and will probably redshirt.
For the 2013 class the Huskers have already offered Toby Johnson out of Hutchinson, Kansas, Community College , but have a lot of interest in several other defensive tackles from around the country.
Linebacker
Needs 1-2
Nebraska will graduate Will Compton, Sean Fisher, Micah Kerikemeier, Graham Stoddard, and Alonzo Whaley after the 2012 season.
Nebraska has a couple of talented linebackers that redshirted this season. Max Pirman, David Santos, along with redshirt freshman Max Pirman who made waves on the scout team this season.
In the 2012 recruiting class, linebacker was the biggest need for the Huskers. They landed 4 big time recruits. Jared Afalava, Zaire Anderson, Thomas Brown, and Michael Rose.
Rose and Anderson will compete for playing time. The most intriguing player to watch will be Afalava. Anyone who has seen him play has raved about his talents. It will be interesting to see if his skills can translate to the next level.
Nebraska already has an offer out to 2013 linebackers Walker Jones out of Evangelical Christian High School in Cordova, TN., and Deon Hollins out of Fort Bend Marshall High School, in Missouri City, TX.
Corner Backs
Needs 1-2
Nebraska will graduate Antonio Bell, and Justin Blatchford. Neither has made a major impact in their careers at Nebraska. Blatchford saw limited playing time in 2011 and could see more in 2012 if he continues to progress.
Nebraska has a long list of talented corner backs such as, Andrew Green, Corey Cooper, Ciante Evans, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, and Joshua Mitchell.
In 2012 Nebraska added 4 star JUCO corner Mohammed Seisay. He will come in and make an immediate impact. Former running back Braylon Heard will move over to corner this season.
Nebraska has offered Rancho Cucaonga, CA., cornerback Chris Hawkins, and possible 5 star prospect Eli Woodard out of Eastern High School in Voorhees, NJ.
Safety
Needs 2-3
Nebraska will graduate Courtney Osborne, P.J. Smith, and Damion Stafford. All three have been main contributors in their time in Lincoln. All three will be huge losses.
The Blackshirts will retain Harvey Jackson and Dijon Washington. Jackson was a big time recruit in the 2010 recruiting class and will contend for playing time this season. Also Corey Cooper may move from corner to safety.
In 2012 Nebraska landed a couple athlete prospects in Alonzo Moore, and LeRoy Alexander who could y play safety if they don’t play wide receiver.
Nebraska has sent an offer to the biggest safety porspect on the 2013 board in, Su’a Cravens from Vista Murrieta High School, in Murrieta, CA. He will be a 5 star prospect and one of the top 10 prospects from the 2013 class.
Take a look at the offensive needs for 2013 https://huskercorner.com/2012/02/04/taking-a-look-ahead-at-2013-needs-offense/
By Jimmie Allen
Contact the writer at JAhuskercorner@gmail.com
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