Nebraska coach says Isaac Gifford is one of nation’s best

The NU defensive backs coach quickly began cross-training players across several secondary roles, teaching technique and furthering competition within his room. There was a learning curve at the time as players became accustomed to Cooper’s expectations — but the Husker assistant feels that uncertainty has vanished in Year 2.

“I kinda compare it to when you first move into a house and you wake up in the middle of night and it’s dark, you kind of tiptoe around,” Cooper said. “But then you stay in the house for a month or two and you know exactly where everything is, so you move at a better pace. That’s where those guys are now.”

This season’s Nebraska secondary is home to an interesting mixture of veteran starters and unproven, young players looking to make their mark.

While Cooper identified several former Huskers who bought into his style and set the tone for the room last spring — namely Quinton Newsome, Omar Brown and Phalen Sanford — one of those leaders remains on the roster.

Fifth-year senior Isaac Gifford, Nebraska’s leading tackler a year ago, said he’s grateful to have another season of eligibility. Cooper is glad to have him, knowing at least one returning starter is locked into his role.

“Legitimately, Isaac Gifford is one of the best players in the country and pretty soon you all will see,” Cooper said. “… Everything I ask him to do, he just does it. And then he holds the other guys accountable for not doing it.”

Those needing accountability are the many young Huskers who fill out the secondary ranks. Ten redshirt freshmen and three true freshmen are going through the spring, while sophomore transfer Blye Hill is equally as young, according to Cooper.

Even for the players who’ve previously been through a fall or spring camp, there are still portions of their defensive training that must be mastered before they hit the field.

“That first year you learn the process, then you live the process and then you defend it,” Gifford said. “I think I’m in that defending stage, and I’m going to keep on doing that.”

Alongside Gifford, Nebraska has a good idea of who the key contributors will be at safety. DeShon Singleton, who made a major impact early in 2023 season, Marques Buford and Malcolm Hartzog are all likely to start in August. Singleton’s injury rehab has kept him from participating in the spring, while Hartzog — mostly a cornerback for NU last year — could still play the position if needed.

Things are less certain at cornerback, where senior Tommi Hill’s experience exceeds that of any other Husker.

The good news for Nebraska is that its secondary is loaded with quick, explosive athletes who are working to improve their technique. Freshman Mario Buford, an early enrollee with a bright future at cornerback, is learning three secondary positions this spring according to Cooper.

As for redshirt freshman Dwight Bootle II, who appeared in three games before a season-ending shoulder injury, Cooper said he “picked up where he left off.” D’Andre Barnes, Jeremiah Charles and Blye Hill are other players whose growth through the spring could vault them into starting roles in the fall.

“The young guys, they fit right in,” Cooper said. “Sometimes it’s trial by error and sometimes it’s feeding them through a fire hose, but they just pick up.”

Statistically, the Nebraska secondary had a strong 2023 campaign. Despite opponents leaning on the pass rather than facing one of the nation’s best rush defenses up front, Nebraska still ranked in the top 40 nationally in pass defense.

The group’s true sore spot, however, was in the number of turnovers they forced. Nebraska intercepted nine passes and recovered five fumbles last season, tying for 103rd nationally in that category. Practice efforts this spring have addressed that issue.

“We’re drilling taking the ball away, we’re being deliberate about it in practice, talking about it before we take the field every down,” Gifford said. “It’s really just putting our mind to, ‘Hey, we’ve got to punch it out every chance we get.’”

Due to Nebraska’s three-field setup for the spring with competition teams, the entire secondary has gone through live-action reps.

Cooper has watched closely, identifying areas where improvements are needed and coaching his players with a fiery passion that’s evident at every Nebraska practice. Veterans and freshmen alike will continue to be evaluated in the coming weeks and months as the Nebraska secondary takes shape for the 2024 season.

“That room is tough, there’s nowhere to hide,” Cooper said.