Nebraska Football: Position Groups that Need to Step Up in 2017

Defensive End

While Nebraska was surprisingly effective at getting after the quarterback in 2016, the Huskers’ top two sack artists (Ross Dzuris and Kevin Maurice) are both seniors. One is not even a defensive end.

The lone returning starter, Freedom Akinmoladun has recorded 7.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in two seasons. There are no other ends on the roster with even one career sack. Akinmoladun may be a breakout candidate for 2017, but he won’t be able to do it alone.

The question is, who will step up? The Huskers have three talented young ends in redshirt freshmen Alex Davis and DaiShon Neal along with sophomore Sedrick King. Each will get a long look. Ideally, one or two of them would make a big jump during the upcoming offseason. 2017 could also be the year AJ Natter comes into his own as a senior, but he’s been hampered by injuries for much of his career and didn’t play much this season.

It doesn’t help that the Big Red just lost the commitment of defensive end Robert Porcher IV, who may have the size to play early in college. No matter who ends up starting, defensive line coach John Parrella will be tasked with developing some raw talents into difference-makers right away.

Nebraska does have pass-rushing skill at DT and proved it can manufacture pressure with blitz packages this season. If the defense wants to go from good to great in that category, it will need some defensive ends to separate the Blackshirt defense from the pack and prove they can put heat on opposing quarterbacks while holding down the fort against the run.