Nebraska Football Spring 2017: Bob Diaco Boot Camp Seems a Hit

As Nebraska football defensive coordinator Bob Diaco walked his players through the basics of the 3-4 defense during last Saturday’s first practice of the spring, it was obvious that he was taking things on an almost personal level.

More: Nebraska Football Spring 2017: What Practice No. 1 Told Us

The enthusiasm that head coach Mike Riley talked about post-practice was leaking through his pores. When it was time for the offense and defense to come together and show what they could do, there was a distinct sense of brotherhood among Diaco’s troops.

Tristan Gebbia was picked off by Chris Jones and Diaco’s charges yelled out “TD!”

Tanner Lee didn’t make the best read chucking a pass right into a defender’s hands for what would be a pick-six.

“TD!”

If there’s one thing we can take away from the Nebraska football team’s first spring practice, it is that Diaco wants to instill a viciousness in his unit. He wants to see violence and mayhem that causes opposing quarterbacks to shiver under center.

There appears to be a challenge among defenders to add points to the scoreboard just like the Husker offense.

It’s the desire to create something that Nebraska fans haven’t seen for a while, maybe since 2009: a Blackshirt defense that is to truly be feared.

The Blackshirts have existed as a group for decades, but it seems like the ferocity that theoretically makes them so menacing has been lacking in recent years.

Surely, there has been the occasional bit hit or pick-six, but the swagger hasn’t been there. After watching Diaco work with the defense on Saturday, it appears that it may have just been laying dormant.

Let’s be real, just because there’s a defensive scheme change doesn’t mean that the slate is totally wiped clean and suddenly those who underperformed in the 4-3 are going to become world-beaters.

That said, with the metaphorical cattle prods that will be shoved up their rears every practice, it’s hard to think that there won’t be one or two cases of players surprising.

It’s Kool-Aid time in Nebraska (and all around the college football landscape). However, after watching Donte Williams get after cornerbacks and Bob Elliot guide safeties while Trent Bray and Diaco work with the linebackers, the defense already seems to have an impressive amount of confidence.

This is boot camp. It’s when the cream rises to the top. You wouldn’t think that the defense is being run through any manner of boot camp, though.