Myles Farmer talks Nebraska’s new staff and defense

Within a matter of months, a lot has shifted around Myles Farmer.

A new coaching staff. A new scheme. He’s even seen the No. 1 threaded to the left of the No. 8 he donned just last season.

Of course, the junior defensive back told media Monday that he wants his No. 8 back, which he claimed he’ll wait until the end of spring camp to figure out. In the meantime, he’s hoped to get a feel for the position group and its direction under Tony White and Evan Cooper.

“It’s different, but it’s coming together,” Farmer said. “… We’re a little more free, we can do more stuff that we like to do. The way we like to play things.”

Farmer sounded relatively comfortable — a feeling he seemingly grasped throughout the course of last year. Farmer blossomed in just his second full season with the Huskers, totaling a career-high 73 tackles through 11 games.

Retaining that level of comfortability while competing for his spot under new direction is a challenge. One he’s been up to.

“I wouldn’t say reset,” Farmer said. “I’d say I’ve had to apply what I learned last year to what they’re teaching me now, and it’s been working.”

The lessons are taught differently now, though. After being under Travis Fisher for so long, Cooper has been an adjustment. Farmer hasn’t missed many points.

“He’s very blunt,” Farmer said of Cooper. “He’s gonna tell you how he feels, and he’s gonna let you know how he’s gonna let you know. He’s not gonna beat around the bush.”

Even as he’s openly competing to remain a starter, Farmer hasn’t shied away from giving direction to the new additions to the room.

“I wouldn’t be a great teammate if I didn’t try and help the new guys, the younger guys,” he said. “It’s competition but it’s still a brotherhood. It’s all love. That’s football.”

Coach Matt Rhule has emphasized team bonding, noting that the team meets every Thursday for some sort of activity. This week they’ll be holding their own home run derby at the softball field.

It’s all trickled down to the field, helping better connect this new staff with the players. Perhaps few understand the significance of it like Farmer.

“It shows resilience, because Coach Rhule could get on me, and I could spaz back at him or I can just take the coaching,” Farmer said. “That just comes from us building a relationship off the field.”

Rhule added: “Everyone buys into the things they like. Can they buy into the things they don’t like? Can they buy into the things that don’t make sense? Myles is one of those guys who, when he first got here, part of his edge — which I love — is to be a little bit chippy. He’s gotten to the point now where he understands, ‘Hey, let me coach you.’”