Nebraska's Suh showing his versatility
Ndamukong Suh assures everyone he’s comfortable playing either interior defensive line position on the Nebraska football team.
Nose tackle? Great. That’s where Suh, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound sophomore, honed his skills last year as a backup to Ola Dagunduro. Suh had 19 tackles, including eight for loss, and 3½ sacks.
What about the other tackle spot, commonly referred to as the three technique? Well, that’s where Suh played two years ago before a knee injury two games into the season forced him out. He received a medical hardship and redshirted.
“I’ve got to know both positions pretty good,” Suh said.
Which is a positive for first-year defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt, who must find replacements for all four starters up front. Suh, Wyatt said, not only possesses a solid work ethic and leadership skills, he’s also versatile.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said Suh has even dabbled with some time at base defensive end, a clear indication that versatility is key as the Huskers revamp their defensive line.
“It gives you an overall view of what the front has to do as a whole,” Suh said of practicing at more than one spot. “That’s an excellent thing to have — having multiple players on your front to play different positions.”
It begins with Suh, whose primary position is nose tackle, or one technique. Junior Ty Steinkuhler then plays defensive tackle, or the three technique, with junior Zach Potter or redshirt freshman Pierre Allen at base defensive end, and junior Clayton Sievers at open, or rush end.
But Wyatt said coaches have also been working Steinkuhler at base end. That’s when Suh slides over to defensive tackle, and either Brandon Johnson or Shukree Barfield takes Suh’s spot at nose tackle.
And if the season started tomorrow? Well, thankfully it doesn’t, because Wyatt said he has no clear indication of who his starting four would be. That, after all, is one reason for spring practices, to work through such details.
“He’s very open, very straightforward with us,” Suh said of Wyatt. “We know exactly what he expects for us.”
Steinkuhler began his Nebraska career at defensive end, moved inside last season, and now appears to be seeing more time at defensive end, at the base spot, this spring. That’s where Nebraska must replace All-Big 12 and future NFL Draft pick Adam Carriker.
Under that scenario, Suh moves over to defensive tackle, making the nose guard position a battle between a couple of fresh faces. Barfield is a junior college transfer who arrived on campus in January; Johnson is a senior who played sparingly as a junior college transfer last season — primarily on special teams — after arriving late in fall camp.
“I’m going to step it up. It’s all up to me,” Johnson said. “It’s open competition. It’s just up to me to take care of it.”
Johnson, at 6-3 and 307 pounds, noted he’s dropped 16 pounds and can feel the difference.
“I can run longer now,” he said. “Move faster, get off that ball.”
Suh said he’s noticed Johnson’s quickness, and that his linemate has benefitted from a year in the system and having more snaps. Johnson, too, said he better understands alignments and formations, hence resulting in quicker reaction.
Last season, he said, was a struggle.
“Especially coming out of juco. It’s hard,” said Johnson, who transferred from Compton (Calif.) Community College. “It’s so much faster up here. And if you come late, it’s even harder.”
Suh and Johnson agreed the defensive line has begun to mesh throughout the spring and is showing improvement, although more improvement and work remains.
The fall will be different, too, when Barry Turner, sidelined this spring after shoulder surgery, returns at rush end. He’ll battle Sievers, a converted linebacker, who’s currently competing with senior Andy Poulosky.
“I think we’re coming along very good,” Johnson said of the entire line. “Last year, we had an excellent defensive line, and I know a lot of people saying this and that, that the defensive line won’t be as good.
“But we’re out here ... we’re damn sure going to try.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
Nose tackle? Great. That’s where Suh, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound sophomore, honed his skills last year as a backup to Ola Dagunduro. Suh had 19 tackles, including eight for loss, and 3½ sacks.
What about the other tackle spot, commonly referred to as the three technique? Well, that’s where Suh played two years ago before a knee injury two games into the season forced him out. He received a medical hardship and redshirted.
“I’ve got to know both positions pretty good,” Suh said.
Which is a positive for first-year defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt, who must find replacements for all four starters up front. Suh, Wyatt said, not only possesses a solid work ethic and leadership skills, he’s also versatile.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said Suh has even dabbled with some time at base defensive end, a clear indication that versatility is key as the Huskers revamp their defensive line.
“It gives you an overall view of what the front has to do as a whole,” Suh said of practicing at more than one spot. “That’s an excellent thing to have — having multiple players on your front to play different positions.”
It begins with Suh, whose primary position is nose tackle, or one technique. Junior Ty Steinkuhler then plays defensive tackle, or the three technique, with junior Zach Potter or redshirt freshman Pierre Allen at base defensive end, and junior Clayton Sievers at open, or rush end.
But Wyatt said coaches have also been working Steinkuhler at base end. That’s when Suh slides over to defensive tackle, and either Brandon Johnson or Shukree Barfield takes Suh’s spot at nose tackle.
And if the season started tomorrow? Well, thankfully it doesn’t, because Wyatt said he has no clear indication of who his starting four would be. That, after all, is one reason for spring practices, to work through such details.
“He’s very open, very straightforward with us,” Suh said of Wyatt. “We know exactly what he expects for us.”
Steinkuhler began his Nebraska career at defensive end, moved inside last season, and now appears to be seeing more time at defensive end, at the base spot, this spring. That’s where Nebraska must replace All-Big 12 and future NFL Draft pick Adam Carriker.
Under that scenario, Suh moves over to defensive tackle, making the nose guard position a battle between a couple of fresh faces. Barfield is a junior college transfer who arrived on campus in January; Johnson is a senior who played sparingly as a junior college transfer last season — primarily on special teams — after arriving late in fall camp.
“I’m going to step it up. It’s all up to me,” Johnson said. “It’s open competition. It’s just up to me to take care of it.”
Johnson, at 6-3 and 307 pounds, noted he’s dropped 16 pounds and can feel the difference.
“I can run longer now,” he said. “Move faster, get off that ball.”
Suh said he’s noticed Johnson’s quickness, and that his linemate has benefitted from a year in the system and having more snaps. Johnson, too, said he better understands alignments and formations, hence resulting in quicker reaction.
Last season, he said, was a struggle.
“Especially coming out of juco. It’s hard,” said Johnson, who transferred from Compton (Calif.) Community College. “It’s so much faster up here. And if you come late, it’s even harder.”
Suh and Johnson agreed the defensive line has begun to mesh throughout the spring and is showing improvement, although more improvement and work remains.
The fall will be different, too, when Barry Turner, sidelined this spring after shoulder surgery, returns at rush end. He’ll battle Sievers, a converted linebacker, who’s currently competing with senior Andy Poulosky.
“I think we’re coming along very good,” Johnson said of the entire line. “Last year, we had an excellent defensive line, and I know a lot of people saying this and that, that the defensive line won’t be as good.
“But we’re out here ... we’re damn sure going to try.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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