Archive for the ‘Larry Asante’ Category
Scouting Nebraska: Defense
Bo Pelini’s defense is a big reason why many, including us, are picking Nebraska to come out of the Big 12 North and represent in the Big 12 conference championship game. The Huskers return seven starters on a unit that played well at times last year, but seemed like they could use some more experience.
In researching the Blackshirts, we took one for the team and put up with watching this:
That’s three minutes of my life I’ll never get back. You, too, I’m sure.
What it did, though, was put some faces with the names. The Husker defense will be counted on to carry the team at times this year as they try to break in a new quarterback and find somebody on offense to catch the ball besides TE Mike McNeill.
Defensive line
The entire Husker defense is built around Ndamukong Suh, the hulking, first-team All Big 12 tackle who led the team in tackles (76), sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (19). Hell, he even scored three touchdowns last year, two off interception returns, and a third that Kansas would rather forget:
The Sporting News already thinks Suh will be the number one pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, which would be fine with me. It would keep Sam out of Detroit.
Elsewhere on the DL, 6’5″, 265 junior Pierre Allen (5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss) returns next to Suh. The Huskers are a little thin otherwise, though. Sophomore Jared Crick (6’6″, 285), who logged just two tackles in nine games of action last year, will line up at DT next to Suh while senior Barry Turner, who only played in two games last year before breaking his leg and receiving a medical waiver for a 5th season, will play at the other DE in the 4-3. Depth will be a major issue on the defensive line as the two-deep shows a sophomore and three redshirt freshmen backing up the starters.
Linebacker
Jenks native and senior Phillip Dillard is the most experienced returning linebacker Pelini has, which should be a major concern. Dillard was plagued with injuries the entire season in 2008 and was listed second on the depth chart coming out of spring practice. Dillard was able to log just 38 tackles in nine games (five starts) in 2008, spending more time on the sidelines than waiting to get Suh’s sloppy seconds. The rest of the linebacking corps should probably still be cruising the Sonic and skipping 5th period as there are four redshirt freshmen and a sophomore listed among the two deep.
A smallish redshirt freshman, Will Compton (6’2″, 220), is listed as the mike LB. If Dillard returns to form, he’ll play in front of Compton. Fellow second-year frosh Sean Fisher (6’6″, 230) appears to have the edge at the Sam LB slot while sophomore Matthew May (6’1″, 210), the only currently-listed starter with game experience (appeared in six games, recorded six tackles and a sack), is penciled in on the weakside.
Secondary
Where the linebacking corps is young, the guys behind them are just as experienced. Pelini’s pass defense should be its strong suit this year with a secondary led by strong safety Larry Asante. The 6’1″, 215 senior is a three-year starter for the Huskers and was second on the team last year in tackles (67). Two other starters return for Pelini in senior free safety Matt O’Hanlon (5’11″, 200) and junior corner Anthony West (6’0″, 205). Those two combined for 81 tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 2008. Senior Rickey Thenarse (24 tackles, 6 TFL) backs up O’Hanlon. At the other corner, junior Prince Amukamara (6’1″, 200) started three games last year, while appearing in all 13.
Special teams
Junior wideout Niles Paul was a dynamic kick returner last year, averaging almost 25 yards per return with one 85-yarder for a touchdown. He’ll also be called upon to return punts with Nate Swift gone due to graduation.
Kicking
Junior Alex Henery was named second-team All Big 12 last year after going 18-of-21 field goals and 56-of-57 extra points for the season. Henery notched 110 points on the season, the highest total for a Husker since 2001 (without knowing who that was, I can hazard a guess). He has a strong and accurate leg, going 6-6 from between 40-49 yards and set a school record with a 57-yarder to beat Colorado. That should serve the Huskers well if they struggle early on offense.
The punting duties will be handled by the winner of a battle royale between Henery, redshirt freshman Brett Maher (he averaged 41.2 yards per boot in high school) and sophomore Jon Damkroger.
