In past seasons, the Nebraska Huskers have struggled with defensive line depth, often falling short of what’s needed to succeed in the Big Ten. However, as this season approaches, there’s a shift in mindset and optimism surrounding the team.
To thrive in this league, Husker fans understand that it takes more than just a few big players who can perform in the harsh conditions of mid-November. It requires a deep roster with enough talent to sustain a high level of play, especially in the trenches.
If Nebraska’s hopes rested solely on the big three—Nash, Jimari, and Ty (Hutmacher, Butler, and Robinson)—expectations wouldn’t be as high as they are for this Husker defensive line and the 2024 team overall. While these three are strong players, true success in the Big Ten demands a rotation of players who can hold their own against tough opponents like Wisconsin and Iowa. The defensive line has spent the past nine months focused on not just maintaining but improving from last year’s performance.
Take James Williams, for example. Last season, he realized that playing on the D-line at 225-230 pounds wasn’t sufficient in the Big Ten. Even with his speed and pass-rushing skills, he found himself worn out by season’s end. Determined to avoid a repeat, Williams used the offseason to bulk up, now weighing closer to 250 pounds. He’s motivated and believes he belongs among the best on the team.
“I do personally feel like I deserve to be here,” Williams said. “I feel like my talent is that of anyone else in the room. Not to discredit anyone, but I genuinely think our defensive line room is one of the best in the country. We have guys like Cam, Kai, Nash, Ty, Jimari—the big three—and others like Sua, Vince, and even Keona Davis, who I believe will be the next big thing.”
Cam Lenhardt, Kai Wallin, Sua Lefotu, and Vincent Jackson are just a few of the names pushing to show that Nebraska is aiming to go eight, nine, or even ten deep on the D-line this fall. Williams casually listed off these names, but there are even more, including Elijah Jeudy, Riley Van Poppel, and Jack linebackers like Princewill Umanmielen and MJ Sherman, who add to the D-line’s pass rush.
There are so many promising players that even newcomers like David Höffken, with his Size 20 shoes, are intriguing prospects for future development.
In contrast to past seasons, when depth was a concern and young players like Deontre Thomas were thrust into key roles too early, this year’s D-line has the luxury of depth. Williams’ mention of Keona Davis, who might not even be a starter right away, speaks volumes about the room’s depth and potential.
This year, expectations are sky-high for the Huskers’ defensive line, and ideally, that standard will be maintained moving forward. In a league as tough as the Big Ten, any drop in performance could have serious consequences.
