The Huskers should be solid up front, but a lot of questions linger after that on defense. Here's a look at the Huskers on defense for 2008:
Open Defensive End
Preseason Depth Chart
Barry Turner (6-3, 265, Sr.)
Pierre Allen (6-5, 265, So.)
Turner is a three-year letterman and returns after a solid junior season that saw him record 29 total tackles and three quarterback sacks. Allen also saw action throughout the season, playing in all but one game and picking up 16 total tackles.
Defensive Tackle
Preseason Depth Chart
Ty Steinkuhler (6-3, 280, Sr.)
Kevin Dixon (6-3, 280, Sr.)
Steinkuhler should be an anchor at the defensive tackle position and will be looking to add to the 13 total tackles, four of them for losses, in 2007. Dixon is the No. 2 guy here and will bounce between defensive tackle and nose tackle.
Nose Tackle
Preseason Depth Chart
Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 300, Jr.)
Kevin Dixon (6-3, 280, Sr.)
Shukree Barfield (6-4, 290, Sr.)
A lot of expectations rest on the shoulders of Suh, who missed spring practice due to a knee injury. He had 34 tot tackles last year, six for losses, and could really disrupt things in the middle if he plays to his potential. Dixon and Barfield (15 tackles) will also see action here.
Base Defensive End
Preseason Depth Chart
Zach Potter (6-7, 285, Jr.)
Clayton Sievers (6-4, 255, Sr.)
Potter was a disruptive player last year, forcing a fumble and five quarterback hurries while recording 45 total tackles, third among returning defenders. Sievers should also step in here and be a quality backup.
Buck Linebacker
Preseason Depth Chart
Tyler Wortman (6-3, 236, Sr.)
Blake Lawrence (6-2, 225, So.)
Wortman is the only senior among the linebacker corps (other than Cody Glenn, a converted I-back) and will be called upon to be a leader here. Wortman played in nine games last year and had three tackles for losses.
Mike Linebacker
Preseason Depth Chart
Phillip Dillard (6-1, 235, Jr.)
Colton Koehler (6-1, 230, Jr.)
Dillard started two games last year and had 37 total tackles. He is one of five scholarship players at linebacker and is playing lighter than last year, which should help him improve on last year's numbers.
Will Linebacker
Preseason Depth Chart
Cody Glenn (6-0, 235, Sr.)
Latravis Washington (6-3, 225, So.)
Glenn made the move over the winter and quickly proved his potential at the position. His size and quickness should help to make up for his inexperience at the position.
Left Cornerback
Preseason Depth Chart
Armando Murillo (6-0, 190, Sr.)
Eric Hagg (6-1, 200, So.)
Murillo was a starter last year and recorded 71 total tackles, including 43 solos (the most among returning starters). Those are high numbers for a defensive back, so if things improve up front those numbers should go down.
Strong Safety
Preseason Depth Chart
Larry Asante (6-1, 210, Jr.)
Major Culbert (6-0, 205, Jr.)
Like Murillo, Asante is a juco transfer who saw starting time last year. He is the leading returning tackler (78 total tackles, 40 solos) and will be a leader in the defensive backfield this season. Culbert has shown some promise and could step up here as well.
Free Safety
Preseason Depth Chart
Rickey Thenarse (6-0, 195, Jr.)
Matt O'Hanlon (5-11, 195, Sr.)
Thenarse will also make his mark in the return game and will compete with O'Hanlon for the starting spot here.
Right Cornerback
Preseason Depth Chart
Anthony West (6-0, 200, So.)
Prince Amukamara (6-1, 195, So.)
Both sophomores here are putting on a spirited competition for the starting nod, so it should be interesting to see who comes out on top here.
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