One doesn't have to dig very deep to learn about the unmitigated disaster that was last season's Nebraska defense.
So there's no blaming Husker defensive coordinator Erik Chinander for saying he had no expectations when he began working with the Blackshirts this spring.
But after the Huskers completed their sixth workout of the spring Thursday morning, Chinander noted things maybe aren't as bad as they seemed five or six months ago.
"I don't think we're the defense I heard about, if that makes sense. I think we’re ahead of that curve a little bit," Chinander said Thursday morning. "I think they’re buying into the system; I think they’re doing what we want them to do. We know there’s mistakes. And with this offense if you make a mistake, they’re going to rip you for 60, so it’s great learning. One guy’s out of his area and the other guys don’t hunt the ball, we’re going to get beat. So it’s a great teaching tool.
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"But we’re a little ahead of where I thought we’d be."
One of the biggest keys to improving, Chinander said, has been players' willingness to reach out to coaches any time they need help.
And that means any time.
"We've made it very clear that they're the most important asset in this building, so they need to come find us," Chinander said. "It doesn't matter if we're in a meeting or what we're doing — they need to knock on the door, open that thing up, and say 'Coach, I need you'. We'll stop the meeting and go coach them.
"You know you've got something when they're coming up on their own, they're watching film together, they want to grab a coach and watch some more film. That's when you know it's starting to happen."
Ruud’s pecking order: Nebraska inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud said four players in his group — Dedrick Young, Will Honas, Mohamed Barry and Avery Roberts — have "separated themselves a little bit" from the rest.
Young, a senior, is the team’s leading returning tackler after recording 80 stops last season.
Ruud said redshirt freshmen Andrew Ward and Willie Hampton are “playing a little catch-up right now, but they’re working at it.â€
Meanwhile, Jacob Weinmaster, a junior walk-on from Loveland, Colorado, is also in the thick of the battle for playing time.
“He’s a guy who eventually we’ll probably have to count on at some point this year,†Ruud said. “I’m going to put it on him to learn both spots really well and be a utility-type guy.â€
Ruud added, “Right now, it’s not so much about the depth chart. It’s about teaching fundamental football and getting better at that aspect every day.â€
Repeat offenders: If a linebacker wants to test Ruud’s patience, there’s a surefire way.
“I’m good with mistakes, but I can’t have repeat mistakes,†he said.
Asked to characterize his level of leniency with repeat offenders, Ruud said, “I like new mistakes. I don’t want repeat mistakes. Now, if guys have proven to me they’re smart guys, but they keep making the same mistake, then I have to look at myself, too.
“When you have mistakes, you look at it two ways: Is it guys who aren’t trying? Or are they not grasping a concept? You have to look at yourself as well. If there’s a bunch of repeat offenders, then I have to look at how I’m teaching.â€
Newell pushing for work inside: Nebraska’s defensive interior depth is being tested a bit this spring. Senior and 2017 starter Mick Stoltenberg did not practice Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury and was seen after practice Thursday with a sleeve on his left knee and using a crutch. Deontre Thomas, who backed up Stoltenberg as a true freshman, played end in the Tuesday open periods.
That leaves senior Peyton Newell, and redshirt freshmen Damion Daniels and Ben Lingenfelter as interior options at the moment, though coaches have said others are rotating in as well.
“(Newell)’s a guy that’s been playing mostly inside at the nose position,†defensive line coach Mike Dawson said of the Hiawatha, Kansas, native who was heavily recruited out of high school but has never secured regular playing time here. “He’s been out here working really hard and learning a new system and doing a really good job.â€
Dawson, Frost and Chinander have all expressed confidence in NU’s depth inside in recent days.
Chinader on Tuesday mentioned Daniels and Newell as two players doing well, as well as the Davis twins, Carlos and Khalil.
"I think the depth is good," Chinander said. "Obviously with some guys getting nicked up here and there, you have the opportunity to play some of those guys that are playing four-odd defensive end or whatever. You have the opportunity to roll those guys through so we can see what we've got."
Steep learning curve for Lincoln native Walker: The Husker staff is excited about Chris Walker’s potential as a defensive lineman.
It’s going to be a long process for the Lincoln East graduate, however.
“Chris has a great attitude and a great mindset,†Dawson said. “He’s still got a lot to learn. There’s a big curve for him coming over from offense to defense, so he’s got to keep grinding it. He’s another guy that wants to work hard, keep getting after it and keep grinding it.â€
Walker, listed at 6-foot-8 and 275 pounds, played offensive line through his redshirt year.
No sitting back: Jovan Dewitt warned his players before practice on Thursday. Blitzes will be called, so be ready.
As NU installs more defense, there’s going to be calls that don’t maybe line up with down-and-distance. So what? Get after it.
“Our calls lent itself to it a little more today in terms of being more aggressive,†Dewitt said. "There was a blitz we installed today where I told our guys, ‘It may be second-and-10 and you may get a Cover-Zero blitz coming in, so be ready for it.
“Don’t be surprised by us being aggressive as opposed to us staying back and hanging out and seeing what’s going to happen.â€
Blair walk-on making move:Â Ethan Cox, a walk-on defense back from Blair has "come out of nowhere" to be in the mix at corner, Chinander said.
While listing guys who have played well early on (Lamar Jackson, Dicaprio Bootle, Eric Lee), Chinander dropped Cox's name into the conversation.
"We've got some guys that we can definitely make it work at that position," Chinander said.
Different perspective: While Thursday was the defensive coaches' day to meet with the media, there was still some quarterback talk.
Asked what he had seen from Nebraska's four available quarterbacks — Patrick O'Brien, Tristan Gebbia, Adrian Martinez and Andrew Bunch (remember, transfer Noah Vedral isn't eligible to play this season) — Chinander was complementary.
"When we’ve got to a couple of the other places where we’ve taken over fresh, those guys are kind of new to the system and the balls aren’t coming out so good right away," Chinander said. "These guys are throwing some really nice footballs, they’re doing a good job of reading what they’re supposed to read and running it appropriately. I’m really impressed with the quarterbacks, and that’s just from me watching on the back end."
Osborne a regular at workouts:Â Legendary NU coach Tom Osborne emerged from the balcony above the practice field inside the Hawks Championship Center near the end of Thursday's practice, stopping for a few minutes to chat with the media members gathering in the adjacent lobby. Osborne has been a constant presence during Nebraska's spring workouts, and was at Saturday's junior day.
— Chris Basnett, Parker Gabriel and Steven M. Sipple