Nebraska Football: 2021 season is important for safety Isaac Gifford
The Nebraska football safety will look to shine in 2021.
It’s no secret that 2021 is an important year for several members of the Nebraska football program. After a crazy season last year, now it’s going to be time for some players to really show what they are made of.
After playing in every single game last season, 2021 is an important year for safety Isaac Gifford.
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Does the last name Gifford sound familiar to you? If not, it certainly should. The brother of former Nebraska football linebacker Luke Gifford, the younger Gifford looks to make headway at safety. He has already started to do so, as he appeared in 12 games in what was a difficult 2020 season.
On the year, he recorded four total tackles, recording one tackle each in the final four games of the season. Although that may not sound particularly impressive, it did give us a look into his play style. When you look at who is also at the safety position, last year was important for him as well.
The bad news for Gifford may be that veteran starters are returning for 2021. Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke are both coming back. That is certainly good news for the program, but not good news in terms of the playing time that Gifford may receive. Even still, both Williams and Dismuke are in their final year. Once they finish their time with Nebraska football, it could be Gifford’s time to shine.
As Brian Christopherson of 247Sports notes, Gifford will certainly have a place on this defense. It is only a matter of time before he gets to show what he can do.
". But the 6-1, 205-pound Lincoln Southeast grad Gifford, like his brother before him, is going to matter on this defense. He might not have had the same hype as some others recruiting-wise, but he’s one of those guys you’d love to see develop in 2021 to the point where you feel like he’s ready to knock at the door to start by next year when you do have to switch out your safeties."
I’ll be interested to see what he can do in 2021. Now is the time for him to begin playing at a high level and preparing for the future. There is no doubt he has the talent to play and succeed for Nebraska. It’s going to be a matter of him making the most of his reps.
For the most part, Gifford will most likely be overshadowed by Williams and Dismuke for now. However, it may only be a matter of time before he tries to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a successful Nebraska football player.