Tony White is no longer the defensive coordinator at Nebraska and has moved on to take the same position at Florida State. Fans are left to wonder why but will never fully know the answer. That’s just how this business works.
However, it was clear as to why Dana Holgorsen was brought in and called the plays on offense for the last three games. It was because things flat out weren’t working. A change had to be made to salvage any hope of a winning record.
So, it’s easy for fans to think White’s moving on was due to something similar. While the defense wasn’t as erratic as the offense appeared to be at times, it certainly had its moments. Giving up 56 points to Indiana, letting a 2-5 UCLA team run 17 of the first 18 plays of the game and leave with a win, allowing USC running back Woody Marks to rush for 146 yards and a 7.7-yard per carry average, and finally letting an average Wisconsin QB go 20/30 passing for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Yes, Tony White did an admirable job in turning Nebraska’s defense around in his first season, but it would be easy to say the Blackshirts took a step backwards this year. What is especially concerning was that the defense wasn’t better after the number of fifth-and-sixth-year seniors that returned.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Tony White. But his leaving didn’t set off any alarm bells for me. But taking Terrance Knighton with him did. I consider the loss of the CEO of Death Row a much bigger deal. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but with four defensive linemen jumping into the portal and knowing how they felt about Knighton, I knew he was on his way out.
Answers. I’m left with nothing. But I tell myself that maybe it’s a good thing. Let’s be honest, the Huskers own an 11-13 record after two years. White was part of that. This team needs to get better at every level. Matt Rhule did that with the demotion of Satterfield and the hiring of Holgorsen. Say it however you want, but now he’s done it with White, just in a different way.
We also learned Wednesday that Holgorsen is bringing in one of his guys in wide receiver coach Daikiel Shorts. There will be a new defensive coordinator, and like the offensive coordinator, he may bring in one or more of his guys. It’s hard to imagine Nebraska going with two new coordinators without replacing the coach of special teams as well. It may not happen right away, there are too many other things in motion right now. But it must happen before spring ball. As for changes, I’m all in on whatever makes us better.
Close to 30 seniors made the walk at the end of the year and now eleven guys have jumped in the portal. I’m guessing there will be more. How troublesome is it? This was a 6-6 team that underachieved. No changes are too big.
Transfer Portal Entries
- QB- Daniel Kailen
- RB – Gabe Ervin
- WR – Malachi Coleman
- CB – Syncere Safeeullah
- LB- Mikai Gbayor
- LB- Stefon Thompson
- LB – Princewell Umanmielen
- Edge – Jamari Bulter
- DL – Vincent Jackson
- Edge – James Williams
- Edge – Kai Wallin
All these guys contributed. Some more than others, and like the loss of Knighton bothers me more than White, some of these bother me more than others. Daniel Kailen bothers me the most, not because of what he did, but because of what I believe he was capable of. But I understand his leaving and he will have a bright future wherever he goes.
As guys were signing up to leave, others were signing up to come. And in the words of Matt Rhule, “We want guys who want to be here.” These guys want to be here. Even with all the shake up, they still came. The twenty guys that joined the Huskers Tuesday gives me hope. Matt Rhule added a quality group and the future looks bright.
2024, Signees
- DL – Malcolm Simpson, 6’3” 255lbs, Texas
- DL – Kade Pietrzak, 6’4” 250lbs, North Dakota
- DL – Tyson Terry, 6’2” 279lbs, Nebraska
- LB – Pierce Mooberry, 6’4” 200lbs, Nebraska
- LB – Christian Jones, 6’3” 215lbs, Nebraska
- LB – Dawson Merritt, 6’3” 215lbs, Kansas
- S – Jeremiah Jones, 6’4” 200lbs, Kentucky
- S – Caden VerMass, 6’0” 196lbs, Nebraska
- CB – Bryson Webber, 6’3” 175lbs, Texas
- IOL – Juju Marks, 6’6” 290lbs, Kansas
- OL – Houston Kaahaaina-Torres, 6’3” 275lbs Hawaii
- OT – Shawn Hammerbeck, 6’6” 260lbs, South Dakota
- OT – Brian Tapu, 6’7” 295lbs, Utah
- QB – TJ Lateef, 6’1” 185lbs, California
- RB – Jamarion Parker, 6’0” 185lbs, Missouri
- RB – Conner Booth, 6’2” 212lbs, Nebraska
- WR – Isaiah Mozee, 6’1” 185lbs, Missouri
- WR – Cortez Mills, 6’1” 165lbs, Florida
- ATH – Tanner Terch, 6’2” 185lbs, Colorado
- ATH – Jackson Carpenter, 6’2” 185, Nebraska
I really like this group of guys. Now it’s a matter of getting them all here. In today’s world, I’d say Nebraska will be lucky not to lose a couple of these guys before it’s all said and done. And naturally, I’m more excited about some of these guys than others. But adding these guys to what I imagine the 105 roster to look like, the Husker have a promising future. I don’t know that Nebraska could have gotten three better linebackers than Merritt, Jones and Mooberry. And I’ve heard nothing but good things about Lateef, Parker, and Mills. There is some real juice in this class.
It’s Nebraska football, just when I start to get worried, I get excited all over again.
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