Husker Football: Top 5 Breakout Seasons That Add Wins In ’14

2. DE A.J. Natter

It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle at defensive end when your name’s not Randy Gregory. That may play to Natter’s favor in 2014. At 6’5″ 250 pounds, he’s not unlike the fan favorite in size and…well, okay he’s not quite as fast, but he’s not running through molasses.

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Thanks to Avery Moss’ problems with his fly, the Huskers’ depth opposite Gregory isn’t rock solid by any means. This is where Natter comes into play.

He’ll be primarily competing against JUCO transfer Joe Keels for the starting role. While Keels has technically gone up against better opposition in live play, Natter is familiar with the system and has gone up against FBS-level opposition in practice.

A breakout year increases Nebraska’s chances to win because: First, if Natter starts over Keels, that means the Huskers likely found a two-deep opposite Gregory that can play at a serviceable level at the very least.

Second, it gives the Huskers an opportunity to work Keels into their schemes in some ways. He could stay behind Natter or move to the inside as he did practice at the tackle spot this spring.