Linebacker and fullback are two intriguing position battles

Anytime a team goes into spring practice or fall camp, you can expect to hear a lot of talk about “position battles.”

As Nebraska continues with its spring football practice sessions, linebacker and fullback are two of the more intriguing position battles for the 2012.

Any discussion regarding Nebraska linebackers in 2012 begins and ends with the loss of LaVonte David to graduation. David is projected by most NFL draft boards to be a second round pick, possibly even first if you listen to Mel “I Have Plenty of Hair” Kiper. Without David, Nebraska very well could have finished 7-6 instead of 9-4. David’s numbers speak for themselves as he recorded team highs in total tackles (133), tackles for loss (13) and quarterback sacks (5.5).

However, things are not all doom and gloom with the loss of David because Will Compton came alive in the second half of the season and recorded 82 total tackles, seven for lost yardage. Sean Fisher came back after having missed the 2010 season with a leg injury to start four games and record 24 total tackles. However, Alonzo Whaley saw his most significant playing time the last two games of the season and actually moved ahead of Fisher on the depth chart.

David’s incredible skills will be hard to replace. Nebraska has had its share of legendary linebackers such as Tom Novak, Broderick Thomas, Barrett Ruud, Jerry Murtugh, Ed Stewart and Marc Munford. Where David fits in the annals of Husker lore is open for discussion but he certainly belongs in that conversation.

The fact that Compton made it through an entire season mostly injury free, which hadn’t been the case throughout his career before the season, is a good sign. The Huskers will need Compton to take on an even bigger role in 2012. Sophomore Trevor Roach saw action early in the season and can be a capable backup at MIKE linebacker to Compton.

It also bears watching if Whaley stays ahead of Fisher on the depth chart at the BUCK position. Either way, both will be needed when the Huskers go to their goal-line defense.

The player from the 2012 class that will need to contribute immediate is junior college transfer Zaire Anderson. . The Huskers have a strong group of recruits but will they be ready to contribute right away?

Though the fullback position in today’s game of college football has taken on a lesser role with such a big emphasis on spread-oriented offenses, the Huskers still must find a way to replace Tyler Legate. Losing Legate might not be high on many people’s list but since Nebraska incorporated some of the traditional I-formation option, replacing Legate is not so insignificant. Plus, even though shotgun formations and spread offenses are all the rage, at some point teams will face short yardage situations where it behooves them to have a fullback as a lead blocker.

Legate had eight carries and four catches (two for touchdowns). The fullback carrying the ball, however, seemed to be more of an attempt to pander to the fans that long for the retro Tom Osborne playbook.

Given that the option has returned as part of the Husker offense, losing Legate might be more of a concern that at first glance. For openers, there’s the role of lead blocking for the running back but also quarterback Taylor Martinez seems better suited on “load option” running plays that involve either a fullback or pulling guard.

The likely candidate for this position is Mike Marrow, who transferred from Alabama and Eastern Michigan. Marrow brings a menacing presence at 6-foot-2, 250-pounds. He has the body to become a dominant lead blocker for Rex Burkhead but he could emerge as a counter-puncher to Burkhead by carrying the ball himself and abusing defenses.

Other players who will compete for the position are freshmen Carson Collins and Andy Janovich along with junior CJ Zimmerer.

2012 Position Outlook: Running back

One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2012 season. Today, we look at running:





Looking back: Let’s start with the obvious, “What more can be said about Rex Burkhead that has not already been said?” Nebraska has had its legendary running backs like Mike Rozier, Johnny Rodgers, I.M. Hipp, and Lawrence Phillips but Burkhead has established his own place in Husker lore.

The junior from Plano, Texas carried 284 times for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011. He also caught 21 more passes for 177 yards and a pair of scores. At times, Burkhead flat out carried the load for the Huskers and he did it against some pretty stout Big Ten defensive units such as Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State. While I never met Burkhead in person, anyone who has publically spoken about him say he’s an even better person. Suffice it to say, Husker fans are blessed to have him for another year.

With the return of the option, we actually saw the fullback get a few carries but not the amount that will make fans forget Joel Mackovica. Legate had eight carries and four catches (two for touchdowns). The fullback carrying the ball, however, seemed to be more of an attempt to pander to the fans that long for the retro Tom Osborne playbook.

The most puzzling aspect of the 2011 season as it pertained to the running back position was the fact that the Huskers burned redshirts on three players (Ameer Abdullah, Aaron Green and Braylon Heard). The threesome combined for just 91 carries and three receptions. Abdullah not redshirting was at least somewhat understandable because he was the primary kickoff and punt returner. However, it was readily apparent by midseason that either Green or Heard, probably the latter, should have redshirted.

Looking ahead: Burkhead is the unquestioned leader not only of this position but the entire offense. The tricky aspect will be getting Burkhead his steady diet of touches while also preserving him for the Big Ten grind.

Though his costly fumble in the Huskers 30-13 Capital Bowl loss played a role in the team unraveling, Abdullah showed enough promise early in the season to be that change of pace runner to compliment Burkhead.

Given that the option has returned as part of the Husker offense, losing Legate might be more of a concern that at first glance. For openers, there’s the role of lead blocking for the running back but also quarterback Taylor Martinez seems better suited on “load option” running plays that involve either a fullback or pulling guard.