Parrella Prepped First-Time Blackshirts B1G Time

Banker Meets Media; Blackshirts Get Social Spotlight

Randy York’s N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

You had to be inside Nebraska’s locker room Tuesday to appreciate the magical moments when sophomore defensive tackle Mick Stoltenberg, senior defensive tackle Kevin Maurice and junior cornerback Chris Jones pulled fabled Blackshirts over their heads for the first time.

Blackshirts date back to Bob Devaney’s third year as Nebraska’s head coach and is the nickname for the Huskers’ defensive unit. The legendary locker room ceremony is derived from the black pullover, contrast jerseys worn by defensive players in practice.

Because first-year defensive line coach John Parrella was once a proud Blackshirt who walked on and then played 12 years in the NFL, this year’s Husker team heard stirring stories about the Blackshirts and the brotherhood that keeps them together.

Corner Chris Jones Gets Goose Bumps Hearing Parrella Describe Blackshirts

Jones, a Jacksonville, Fla., native (pictured above) got goose bumps hearing Parrella describe what it means to “the guys who came here before us and the guys who will come here after us,” Jones said. “You have to give your best every day. He opened my heart.”

Stoltenberg could not have been prouder to receive his first Blackshirt Tuesday. But he went out of his way to make a point that no one among the 13 Blackshirts awarded deserved that precious jersey more than Maurice, a senior who finally climbed his way to the top of the depth chart.

In this, the 53rd season that Nebraska awarded Blackshirts, out-of-state recipients were well aware of one of Nebraska’s most sacred football traditions, thanks to Parrella.

“I’ve always wanted to wear a Blackshirt,” Stoltenberg said. “Being a kid who grew up in Nebraska, this has been a dream. Now I’m part of that company and part of the brotherhood. It’s a huge responsibility and I’m going to work my hardest to sustain it.”

Earning Parrella’s trust has been a humbling experience. “It feels amazing to know that he trusts me,” Stoltenberg said. “He has passion for the game and a love for us, for Nebraska and the game of football. You hear it in everything he talks about."

Parrella Hasn’t Forgotten What It’s Like to Wear a Blackshirt and Play Here

“Coach Parrella hasn’t forgotten what it’s like to play here and wear a Blackshirt, that’s for sure,” Stoltenberg said. “He’s so fired up, if it was up to Coach Parrella, I think he’d do live tackling every day in practice. He’s real intense and wants practice to be harder than the game.”

Hearing Parrella’s keen sense of brotherhood helps Stoltenberg reach beyond himself. “I’ve looked up to Kevin Maurice since I got here,” he said. “He earned that Blackshirt better than anyone else. Everyone on this team looks up to him.”

It’s been a long journey to the top for Maurice. “I definitely worked hard for this, and it’s finally paid off,” he said of his Blackshirt. “It’s well worth the wait. There’s still a lot of hard work to go, but it’s important to earn the respect of your teammates and coaches. It’s humbling to finally earn the right to wear this shirt.”

Tuesday wasn’t the first time that Marcus Newby earned a Blackshirt. But the junior linebacker from North Potomac, Md., was just as thrilled as the first-time recipients. “It’s amazing to come here and step it up from last year,” he said. “When you play with a historical program and guys that you call your friends, you go hard every day.

“It’s been a lot of time, study and work,” Newby said. “When you put on a Blackshirt, you know it’s for the guys who came before us. They set the standard that we need to live up to. We need to carry on the legacy for the younger guys to follow in our footsteps. Nebraska football is huge, and we’re going to stay together for our brothers.”

13 Blackshirts Include Four Linemen, Five Linebackers, Four Defensive Backs

Shortly before Tuesday’s practice, 13 Nebraska defenders wore Blackshirts, the equivalent of first-team status on the Huskers’ defense. This year's Blackshirts include:

Four defensive linemen: Ross Dzuris (senior defensive end, Plattsmouth, Neb.); Mick Stoltenberg (sophomore defensive tackle, Gretna, Neb.; Kevin Maurice (senior defensive tackle, Orlando, Fla.); and Freedom Akinmoladun (sophomore defensive end, Grandview, Mo.

Five linebackers: Dedrick Young II (sophomore, Peoria, Ariz.); Michael Rose-Ivey (senior, Kansas City, Mo.); Josh Banderas (senior, Lincoln, Neb.); Chris Weber (junior, Omaha, Neb.); and Marcus Newby (junior, North Potomac, Md.) and

Four defensive backs: Chris Jones (junior cornerback, Jacksonville, Fla.); Joshua Kalu (junior cornerback, Houston, Texas); Aaron Williams (sophomore safety, Atlanta, Ga.); and Nate Gerry (senior safety, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Send a comment to ryork@huskers.com (Please include city, state)

Follow Randy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RandyYorkNsider

N-Sider Archives