Nebraska football coaches met with the media on Monday afternoon, and fans were able to get a really good idea about where some positions stood.
Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander talked about several aspects of the defense that stood out at Saturday’s scrimmage. One of them was the pass rush. So far, it sounds like the pass rush is shaping up nicely.
This is certainly encouraging news to hear. For one thing, Nebraska football has struggled with the pass rush for quite a while now. They were able to reel in a strong edge rusher in Ochaun Mathis to help ease the pass-rushing woes. However, it sounds like some internal candidates are really stepping up as well. Some of that depth that we have been talking about for the last two seasons or so has a chance to make an impact right now.
Nebraska ranked 87th in the country with 13 sacks last season. That needs to change, and it sounds like there are some key candidates stepping up so far in camp.
Obviously, we want to see execution and sacks during games. However, this is certainly a good start when you think about where the Nebraska pass rush has been over the last couple seasons.
Chinander was able to give some names in regards to potential key pass rushers, as noted by the Omaha World-Herald’s Sam Mckewon.
Meanwhile, pass rush continues to be a strength, Chinander said. Transfer Ochaun Mathis had a “really good scrimmage” while Caleb Tannor, Garrett Nelson, Blaise Gunnerson and Jimari Butler continued to draw praise as edge players.
Mathis, Tannor, and Nelson in particular have been talked about as players that could see time on the field as a trio. I personally would love that. Butler really played well during the Red-White game, and I’m excited to see how he fits into the equation. He has that tenacity that could make him a great fit on this defense.
I’ll be interested to see how this all shakes out on a depth chart. However, it’s encouraging that pass rush is a source of optimism and not dread, like in past years.
