Quartet of freshman DBs said to have 'opportunity' to rise up for Nebraska football

The Nebraska football team’s defense took a whupping on Saturday against the Indiana Hoosiers. In the days after, the loss, Tony White made it clear that he’s working on making sure that kind of performance happens again.

Chief among the struggles against IU was a secondary that had problems covering Indiana receivers. And on Thursday, White made it clear that those struggles could lead to some new starters or more playing time for guys who have mostly ridden the pine this season.

The Nebraska football team knows that it more than has its hands full with Ohio State. There’s an above-average chance that White is going to try some different play combinations to mix things up. And that’s why Braylen Prude, Mario Buford, Rex Guthrie and Larry Tarver Jr. are suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

Nebraska football could see new faces on defense for Ohio State

During his weekly press conference, the Huskers’ defensive coordinator made it clear that the quartet of freshmen are starting to really stand out. 

"So now, that opportunity presents itself to rise up and see if they want to take it,” White said. “So we'll see."

That of course means that none of the four are guaranteed to get on the field against Ohio State or at any point this season. On the other hand, the younger Buford got quite a bit run in fall camp for the strides he was making.

It appears that’s carried over to the regular season. Now we’ll have to wait and see if any of the four see more time moving forward and if Nebraska football officially starts its youth movement.