Nebraska Football: 5 Offseason Storylines To Watch For In 2017

Lockdown U Part II

Nate Gerry didn’t do his homework and left in disappointing fashion, but that doesn’t mean a defensive unit that rebounded in fantastic form can’t recreate its better moments from 2016.

This is a unit that is likely to be a mystery until September. As of this writing, Riley has yet to hire a ninth coach to his staff. Following his introduction of Diaco to the press, he mentioned that he’s currently looking to fill the role of a safeties position indicating that current secondary coach Donte Williams likely will be working with the cornerbacks exclusively.

It will also be telling if Nebraska can sign some high-caliber defensive backs to the 2017 class. If the Huskers do, look for the newbies to get an immediate look just as their wide receiver counterparts will. The Husker coaching staff, heck even athletic director Shawn Eichorst himself, has made it very clear that Nebraska has been lacking in talent.

However, there should be a good mix of potential Blackshirts in the secondary regardless of seniority. Senior safeties Kieron and Aaron Williams (no relation) return and even though he was torched a few times as a true freshman, sophomore Lamar Jackson should see extensive playing time yet again. There’s a reason USC wanted him.

Keep in mind that now Riley has staff in Diaco and Williams on the defensive side of the ball dictating what the secondary must do. These are high energy coaches who are excellent teachers and who can impact a player’s motivation to excel. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues with the eventual new hire.

If it does, Nebraska may be able to take another big leap forward in pass defense as it did in 2016.