Search and destroy. That’s what Nebraska’s Blackshirts will do under defensive coordinator John Butler. The new DC may not have used those exact words, but it’s clear his version of the Blackshirts will be aggressive. Tony White may have had success in his two years as defensive coordinator, but Butler’s approach is a refreshing change. White’s defenses used too much of a read and react scheme. That’s why they allowed an eighteen-play opening drive against UCLA last season. Defense is about being the aggressor, and that’s what Butler and his staff are teaching and preaching. His Blackshirts are going to punch offenses in the mouth rather than waiting to see what they must do to counter.
And why not, Butler has the talent at his disposal to put a unit on the field that could rival the Blackshirts of old. Like Holgorsen earlier in the week, Butler is using all the right words when describing what he wants from his defense. You’re hearing terms like playing aggressively, attack-oriented, and contest and challenge. All things you look for in a good defense.
Defensive Line Moves
As always, it starts up front. There are questions about the defensive line being able to hold up against the run, saying they are undersized. But I’m not buying it. There are some dudes up front in players like Riley Van Poppel, 6’5” 295lbs, Elijah Jeudy, 6’3” 300lbs, Cameron Lenhardt, 6’3” 270lbs, Jaylen George, 6’3” 285lbs, Keona Davis, 6’5” 275lbs, Williams Nwaneri, 6’7” 265lbs, and Kade Pietrzak 6’5” 265lbs to name a few. They are young, I’ll give you that, but these guys make it up whatever shorts fall there is with quickness and agility.
When defensive line coach Terry Bradden spoke about his bunch, it was pointed out to him that he once stated that defensive lineman have only one move. His reply, “Yes, I really believe a guy has one move, you got a go-to move, counter and the power. But we’re really focusing on one move. What’s your move? Have a plan, get to the quarterback. But the main thing about it is finishing.”
He was then asked about what moves his players had, “Everybody has a different move, but they are getting very, very good at their move. You don’t need a thousand moves. Moves are overrated. It’s about the finish.”
It seems finishing is what’s important to Bradden, to be relentless and non-stop in your pursuit, to have a motor that never quits. If the defensive line can do that, it will set them apart.
Complete Jack Linebackers
As for ‘Jack’ linebacker coach Phil Simpson, he’s making sure his linebackers understand they have more than one responsibility, and that while getting to the quarterback is important, stopping the run comes first.
“In terms of rushing the quarterback, you know it’s just a percentage of what they’re here for, right, you got to be a complete ball player, you got to earn to be able to rush the passer on third down, we got to stop the run as well. You got to be able to defeat pullers and snipers coming back, so it’s an all-around game. Of course, we work pass rush ability but It’s all about being a complete player.”
The guys playing the ‘Jack’ position have both the size and ability to stop the run and get to the quarterback. The four-deep looks like it’ll be Desean McCullough 6’5” 235lbs, Willis McGahee IV 6’1” 240lbs, Jordan Ochoa 6’4” 240lbs, and Maverick Noonan, 6’4” 245lbs. Don’t be surprised if you see two or even three of these guys on the field at the same time. The ‘Jacks’ will play an integral role in the 2025 Blackshirt scheme. And if things go to Butler’s and Simpson’s plans look for either McCullough or Ochoa to put up double-digit sack numbers this season.
While Simpson may not be watering the bamboo like Donavan Raiola, he’s telling his players to, ‘be water.’
“In our room we always preach – be water. Be water. Learn to be poised, get shake, be rattled, but be water and be stead.”
When asked where ‘be water’ came from, Simpson replied, “I’m not sure, but I came into the room one day and I brought a Coca-Cola bottle and I brought a bottle of water and I shook both of them, popped them open and told them, to be water, right? Be steadfast.”
It’s a good example. You can shake up water, but it will always level back out. With Coke, it’s going to spew all over. No matter what happens on the field players must stay levelheaded – ‘be water.’
Do it all Linebackers
The front looks good, the Jacks look good, and Coach Rob Dvoracek’s next level linebackers aren’t looking so bad either with multiple guys fighting for playing time. Look for Vincent Shavers Jr, 6’1” 225lbs, Marques Watson-Trent, 5’11” 225lbs, Javin Wright, 6’5” 235lbs, Dawson Merritt, 6’3” 225lbs, and Jacob Bower, 6’1” 220lbs to rotate at the Mike and Will linebacker spots. This group is a good mixture of experience and youth and will fill holes or blitz as needed. More than one of these guys has the ability to be a true sideline to sideline backer.
Secondary Pushing Boundaries
From the defensive backs side of things, we heard from defensive coordinator John Butler.
“And in relation to the coverage piece, I’ve always believed, and we believe we’re going to play as aggressive as the officials allow us to play. Honestly, I learned that a couple years ago from Dave Merritt, not from him personally but from Dawson, Dave’s son. Dave is the DB coach for the Chiefs, and I watched how they played our receivers in Buffalo, and they played them very aggressively,” Butler said. “Obviously, in the playoffs they let you play.”
For Butler, who has been a long-time defensive backs coach, the lesson stuck.
“Since then, I’ve always believed in playing aggressively, but I think you have to play to the standard that the officiating is allowing.”
I like the sound of the defensive backs being more aggressive, Nebraska’s secondary has played soft over the last two seasons, not contesting catches, causing tipped balls, or getting interceptions. With the help of defensive backs coach Addison Williams, Butler is looking to change that and clarified his thoughts on being aggressive while staying in control.
“Our guys have been aggressive down the field. You know the thing we have to be sure of is you’re not being aggressive down the field when the ball is in the air. I think that is something you can work on, that we will continue to work on. But you know when you’re in an attack-oriented defense, everything you’re doing is with that mindset and mentality and when things come up like that in regard to penalties you just try to adjust your technique but don’t change your level of aggressiveness. Because we’re not backing off,” Butler said. “At the end of the day we’re not teaching them to grab and hold, we’re teaching them to contest and challenge.”
Nebraska’s secondary returns more depth than any other position on defense, and with twenty-six players in the room there is no lack of competition for playing time. There are older players who will be pushed to stay on the field, especially if they aren’t performing at a top level. Potential starters should be, DeShon Singleton, 6’3” 210lbs, Marques Buford Jr. 5’11” 190lbs, Malcohm Hartzog Jr. 5’9” 185lbs, Andrew Marshall, 6’0” 190lbs, and Ceyair Wright, 6’0 190lbs.
There will obviously be multiple substitutions, and when there are, the first players in will more than likely be Rex Guthrie, Caleb Benning, Jamir Conn, Donavan Jones, Jeremiah Charles, and Amare Sanders. There is plenty of talent and desire, and under the tutelage of Addison Williams the Blackshirts are going to look different on the back end.
Staff Continuity
With the help of Associate Head Coach Phil Snow, defensive coordinator John Butler is leading the way. However, while we didn’t hear from Rob Dvoracek and Addison Williams, we did hear from Terry Bradden and Phil Simpson, and it’s clear this staff thinks as one and is working towards the same goal. The goal, the Blackshirts hitting the marks of 40 sacks and 20 takeaways. If this defense can do that, they’ll be balling out.
To stay on top of Husker football be sure to go to CarrikerChronicles.com
Also be sure to catch the Adam Carriker Show on 93.7 The Ticket