Four Players Who Are Expected To Break Out On Huskers’ Death Row Defensive Line

He used the example of James Williams, a redshirt sophomore defensive end whose stock rose in mid-season in 2023 after transferring in the summer from Iowa Central Community College.

“Him being labeled as Sack Man, he knows like, ‘OK, third down, everyone’s looking at me,’ so he gotta get the job done,” Knighton said.

Williams actually has two nicknames: “Sticks,” which the second-year Husker had acquired on his JUCO team after the long and slender true freshman had amassed 18 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in 2022. And now the one that is going to, ahem, stick – “Sack Man” – but let’s go ahead and throw in another one.

“It’s funny you use the word ‘fireworks.’ That’s exactly what James is every single day,” Knighton said. “He challenges me to be a great coach, and he’s just a special guy. Had a different road to Nebraska than most, came to a camp and had to start the next week. James, every day, is trying to do the right things, pushing to compete, one of the toughest guys in the weight room competing-wise. That was his challenge this year – not just being a third-down guy, being a guy who can go out there and play every down.

“His body has changed, he’s put on 10-15 pounds of muscle. He’s just doing the right things, life is starting to slow down for a little bit, and he’s getting comfortable. Last year, he was shy, not really hanging out with the guys, but now he’s a guy that the guys look for. James is doing a great job, and I expect big things from Sack Man this year on first and second down as well.”

Williams isn’t the only one Knighton has big expectations for in 2024. We will have more over the weekend as he broke down nearly every scholarship player in his position room throughout a 30-minute interview. Here are three more who stand out as players who could be on the way to a breakout season this fall: