In last week’s column I talked about how much the Huskers defense had improved last year compared to 2022. I think this year’s defense will be very strong as well. That said, the 2024 defense still has some holes to fill if it wants to be a solid force.
Two of the biggest holes that need to be filled are LBs Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich. The challenge for Husker LB coach Rob Dvoracek is that he only has about two months to cover them.
Consider this: Reimer and Henrich combined last year for 43 solo tackles, 47 assisted for a total of 90 tackles. They also combined for a total of 7 QB sacks for 42 total yards. The totals spanned 20 games.
So who is going to fill his shoes? I don’t know for sure, but here are a few that might be up to the task.
Possible replacements:
1.) Javin Wright 6-5, 215 SR Chandler, AZ Solo (20), Assist (31) and Total (51) Also had two INTs for 12 yards.
2.) John Bullock 6-0, 220 SR Omaha, NE 27, 23 and 50
3.) Mikail Gbayor 6’2″, 230′, JR Irvington, New Jersey 11, 13, 34
4.) Princewill Umanmielen 6-4, 240 SW Austin, TX 10, 12, 22
5.) MJ Sherman 6-3, 250 SR Baltimore, MD 7, 9, 16
Also waiting in the wings:
1.) Michael Booker III 6-1, 210 JR Grand Prairie, TX
2.) Grant Buda 6-0, 220 JR Lincoln, NE (Grandpa played for NU)
3.) Vincent Geratone, 6-1, 220 SR North Platte, NE
4.) Willis McGahee IV, 6-1, 230 FR Miami, FL
5.) Maverick Noonan 6-4, 235 FR Omaha, NE (legacy player)
6.) Gage Stenger 6-3, 190 SW Omaha, NE
7.) Taveon Thompson 6-3, 205 JR Lincoln, NE
Note: Not all LBs are listed.
Go big dead
Barbara Weitz, a member of the Nebraska Board of Regents, has suggested a single source of revenue for the University of Nebraska. She has proposed (and I’m not making this up) that the University of Nebraska sell burial plots to Huskers fans who wish to be buried there.
I think there is a better source of income: selling alcohol during Husker home games. Problem solved.
Correction:
Several of you wrote to me (and you know who you are) about a mistake I made in last week’s column about Husker D-lineman Blaise Gunnerson. I mistakenly included him in this fall’s D-line rotation. However, Blaise decided to retire from football after the end of last season. Mea culpa. As punishment, I’ll force myself to watch reruns of last year’s NU-Michigan game. Oh the pain and agony…
How about those hullers?
Some of the topics Will and I review on this week’s podcast include the CWS, Husker volleyball, and the latest additions to Husker football. We also give our thoughts on this fall’s Husker D line. Click here to listen.
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