2004 Outlook: Part 2

New defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove inherits a talented defense that includes six returning starters. The 2003 Blackshirts were among the nation's top defenses in several categories, and led the country in takeaways, interceptions and pass efficiency defense.

All-America safety Josh Bullocks is at the heart of a secondary considered by most to be among the best in the nation. Meanwhile, senior Barrett Ruud will man the middle of the linebacking corps for the third straight year after setting a school season record for tackles as a junior.

"Defensively, I'm pleased with where we are at heading into the fall," Callahan said. "I see a lot of initiative and a lot of guys making plays. The performance level on the defensive side of the ball really elevated during the spring."

Defensive Front Impressive During Spring
One of the leading storylines during spring ball was the dominance of the Blackshirts' front four. First-year defensive line coach John Blake welcomed back three talented interior players, and four defensive ends shined during the spring.

"The defensive line stood out during the spring," Callahan said. "Those guys up front generated some push and excellent pass rush. We are always looking for more depth, but they are fairly complete as a position group."

On the interior, junior Le Kevin Smith started 12 games last season and showed good abilty both as a run stopper and pass rusher. The 6-2, 305-pound Smith has totaled 86 tackles in his first two seasons, including 12 tackles for loss. Smith enters the fall atop the depth chart at left defensive tackle.

Fellow junior Titus Adams has been one of Nebraska's most versatile defensive linemen the past two seasons. Adams was a backup tackle in 2002, then played defensive end last season. However, the 6-3, 285-pounder often moved inside on passing downs and will be asked to line up at tackle this fall. Adams has a knack for the big play, snaring two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, in 2003.

Sophomore Brandon Teamer was one of five true freshmen to see action last fall. The 6-5, 280-pound Teamer is a talented athlete who saw extensive time as a rookie and enters fall camp listed second behind Adams at right defensive tackle. Junior Matt O'Shea and sophomore Brandon Greeson also figure to push for playing time on the interior.

The Huskers' defensive end corps is led by sophomore Adam Carriker. The 6-6, 275-pound Carriker saw limited action last year, but excelled when called upon. This spring, the 2004 Nebraska Lifter of the Year showed the ability to dominate, and Husker coaches believe he is capable of performing at an all-conference level.

Behind Carriker on the right side is junior Wali Muhammad, who missed all of last season with illness after being a highly touted junior college prospect. Muhammad saw extensive action during the spring and could be one of the Huskers' top pass rushers in the fall.

The left defensive end position figures to feature one of the top position battles of fall camp. Senior Benard Thomas started 10 games there last fall and harrassed opposing quarterbacks with 11 hurries. Thomas boasts outstanding size at 6-4 and 270 pounds and is the only senior among Nebraska's two-deep up front.

Thomas enters the fall second at left end behind sophomore Jay Moore, who had one of the top spring performances. Moore earned Most Improved Defensive Player honors and at 6-4 and 260 pounds, he has also shown the ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. Nebraska often used all four defensive ends in passing situations this spring and that combination could be used again during 2004.

Ruud Anchors Husker Linebacking Corps
Demorrio Williams and T.J. Hollowell, a pair of outstanding talents at outside linebacker, have been lost to graduation, leaving senior Mike linebacker Barrett Ruud as the headliner and leader of the Husker linebackers. Ruud is expected to challenge for all-conference and All-America honors this fall after a breakout 2003 campaign. The Lincoln Southeast product had a school-record 149 tackles , including seven straight games with 10 or more tackles to close the 2003 regular season.

The 6-2, 240-pound Ruud enters his senior season on the verge of more Husker records. Ruud has racked up 289 career tackles in his Nebraska career and needs just 54 tackles as a senior to ascend to the top of the Husker career tackles list.

Ruud is joined at Mike linebacker by another senior three-year letterman in Omaha native Ira Cooper. A versatile performer, Cooper has played all three linebacker spots during his Nebraska career and has totaled 30 tackles, while also playing a key special teams role. Redshirt freshman Corey McKeon could also push for playing time behind Ruud at Mike linebacker.

Replacing Williams at Will linebacker will be no small chore, but senior Chad Sievers has seen extensive playing time for the Huskers in the past two seasons. Sievers has played the past two seasons as a backup to Ruud on the inside, but at 6-3 and 230 pounds, has the athletic ability to play the Will linebacker spot. Backing Sievers is sophomore Mark Brungardt, who saw significant special teams action as a redshirt freshman a year ago. Sophomore Andy Kadavy could also make a push for playing time.

The strongside linebacker position features little experience, but no shortage of talent. Sophomore Stewart Bradley has seen his share of position changes in a short time at Nebraska. Bradley impressed as a Mike linebacker during the spring of 2003, but lined up at defensive end during the fall and saw the majority of his playing time on special teams. This spring, Bradley was moved back to linebacker and the 6-4, 240-pounder is atop the depth chart at Sam 'backer entering the fall.

Redshirt freshman Bo Ruud, the younger brother of Barrett, is a talented athlete who spent his first year in the program adding weight to his 6-3 frame. Ruud had a good spring and could push Bradley throughout the fall. Junior Adam Ickes has been a steady backup during his career and could also be a factor at Sam linebacker.

"I like the look of our linebackers," Callahan said. "We have guys that can come downhill, run and hit. Barrett Ruud has played a lot of football on the inside and will be a great leader for that group."

Blackshirt Secondary Full of Talent and Experience
The most publicized position group heading into the 2004 season is Nebraska's secondary. Last season, the group helped the Huskers lead the nation in interceptions with 32 and also paved the way for Nebraska to lead the country in pass efficiency defense. Gone is four-year letterman Pat Ricketts, but the Huskers return four players with a combined 61 starts.

"The secondary has great experience, is very well-versed and very athletic," Callahan said. "Their skills give us a great opportunity to control our opponents in the passing game."

Junior free safety Josh Bullocks is on nearly every preseason All-America list after a record-shattering 2003 campaign. The 6-0, 205-pound Bullocks snared a school and Big 12 Conference-record 10 interceptions last season, including interceptions in four successive games at one point in the season. He was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award for his efforts and became the first Husker in more than 50 years to earn first-team All-America honors as a sophomore.

Bullocks enters his junior year with 11 career interceptions, just three shy of Nebraska's career record. He is also an adept tackler, racking up 97 tackles in the past two seasons.

Patrolling the center of the field alongside Bullocks is his twin brother, Daniel Bullocks. Daniel has athletic ability equal to his brother and is slightly more physical from his strong safety position. Last season, Daniel Bullocks started the final nine games of the season and racked up 69 tackles to lead the Husker secondary, including 15 tackles at Texas. The Bullocks brothers made history last season against Kansas when they became the first brothers in school history to record interceptions in the same game, one of Daniel's two picks in the 2003 campaign.

A pair of steady performers will back up the Bullocks at the safety positions. Junior Shane Siegel began his Husker career at cornerback, but the 6-2, 220-pounder settled in at strong safety last fall and is No. 2 at that spot entering the season. Sophomore Andrew Shanle played primarily on special teams as a redshirt freshman last fall, but had a solid spring and enters training camp listed second behind Josh Bullocks at free safety.

Junior Fabian Washington has also received his share of preseason accolades, as he enters his third season as Nebraska's starter at left cornerback. Like Josh Bullocks, Washington has also established a presence in the Husker record book early in his career. Through two seasons, Washington has 23 pass breakups and eight interceptions. The 5-11, 180-pound Floridian has outstanding speed and good cover skills to match up with the opposition's top receiving threat.

Fifth-year senior Lornell McPherson may be the least decorated of Nebraska's projected starters in the secondary, but he has three seasons of playing time under his belt. McPherson was awarded a Blackshirt last fall for his standout play as the Huskers' nickel back and assumes the top spot at right corner for his senior season. McPherson picked off four passes last fall and has six interceptions and nine pass breakups in his career.

Senior Kellen Huston has been a reserve in the secondary and a special teams player during his Husker career. He enters fall camp listed second behind Washington at left corner and could push for the starting nickel back job. On the right side, redshirt freshman Titus Brothers and junior Donald DeFrand are both talented athletes who will be asked to spell McPherson as needed.

Special Teams To Feature New Faces in 2004
Nebraska has a strong tradition of special teams excellence, and Callahan has stressed the importance of that aspect of the game since taking over in January.

The Husker special teams will be re-tooled in several areas. Punter Kyle Larson has moved on to the professional ranks after three seasons as a starter, including an All-America campaign in 2003. Josh Davis has also graduated, after he set school records as a kick returner and handled the punt return duties as a senior.

Two experienced kickers return to battle for the starting place-kicking duties. Sophomore David Dyches emerged early as a true freshman, connecting on four field goals in each of the first two games of his career. He went on to make 14-of-21 field goals in his freshman season and made all 32 of his extra-point attempts. Dyches had a steady spring and enters the fall leading the battle for the starting job.

Fifth-year senior Sandro DeAngelis has seen extensive action in both the 2001 and 2003 campaigns and will push Dyches throughout the fall. DeAngelis has made 18-of-20 PATs and half of his six field goal attempts in his career. Junior Jaret Johnson could also enter the mix for playing time.

Junior Sam Koch faces the large task of replacing Larson, who was one of the nation's top punters for each of the past three years. Koch has not yet punted in a game, but showed his leg strength throughout the latter half of last season when he handled kickoff duties, and regularly boomed his kicks out of the end zone.

Sophomore Lane Kelly and Richie Incognito both have extensive experience as deep snappers and will likely handle those chores this season. Kellen Huston handled the Huskers' holding duties admirably last fall, and Ross Pilkington also has game experience as a holder.

The return jobs remain wide open heading into fall camp. Numerous players were tried on kickoff and punt return duties in the spring and those jobs will not be settled until fall camp.