Nebraska will have a lot of new faces on defense on Saturday. The Blackshirts lost 4 starters last season. There are plenty of players to keep an eye on. Here is the list of a couple guys you may not know about.
Charles Jackson, #21 Cornerback:
Jackson just arrived in Lincoln this fall, and has already received high praise from the coaching staff. He was an Army All-American in 2010. He was not academically eligible for the 2011 season. He has been cleared by the NCAA for this season, and is competing for playing time. With junior college transfer Mohammad Seisay dinged up with an ankle injury all fall camp, Jackson could see playing time on Saturday if, Seisay is not ready to go, or if he is limited.
Zaire Anderson, #8 Linebacker:
Anderson enters his first season in Lincoln, after transferring from Riverside Community College. He was recruited as a linebacker, and he should play at that spot on Saturday, but don’t be surprised if you see Anderson line up and cover the slot receiver from time to time. He has been competing for playing time at the nickle cornerback position.
Chase Rome, #97 Defensive Tackle
This season Rome will fill some big shoes left by Jared Crick. Rome will start at defensive tackle opposite Baker Steinkuhler, and has been one of the most vocal leaders of the defense this fall. The Missouri native finished the season with 9 tackles, and 1 sack last season. He is poised to have a breakout season if he can stay healthy.
Harvey Jackson, #1 Safety
No relation to Charles. Jackson has come in and stole the spot light from redshirt senior, P.J. Smith. Most people expected Smith to seal up the starting safety position opposite Daimion Stafford. Jackson had other plans. He has seen the majority of the snaps with the No.1 defense for the majority of camp. Jackson is a redshirt sophomore that could be the next big thing in Nebraska’s secondary.
Joshua Mitchell, #10 Cornerback
Andrew Green has solitified himself as one of the starting corners for Saturdays match up with Southern Miss. Joshua Mitchell has come pretty close to putting his name on the top of the depth chart at the other corner spot. Mitchell, who saw playing time early last season, has said that he has dedicated more time to the classroom, and watching game film this season. He says it is something that NU secondary coach Terry Joseph has demanded out of his group. Mitchell said he has already seen the improvement, and he knows it is something he will have to continue doing. He says his focus to detail is more important to him than ever before. If that holds true, it may be hard to knock Mitchell off the top of the depth chart.
By Jimmie Allen
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