Nebraska D-lineman Stephon Wynn relishing last chance

Stephon Wynn grinned and shrugged his shoulders. If only his teenage self could see him now.

The defensive lineman has come a long way from the summer of 2017. Back then he was a four-star recruit and top-100 national prospect committing to Alabama over Georgia and home-state South Carolina to buzz and fanfare. The only thing that seemed bigger than the space-eating standout was his football future.

Life took a different turn. He won a national title with the Tide in 2020 but spent four seasons there as a rotational player, appearing in 21 games and making 16 tackles amid various injuries. He transferred to Nebraska last June seeking new opportunity and never caught his breath as the Huskers prepared for a Week Zero game in another country.

Now getting ready for his sixth college season? Wynn never would have guessed.

“It wasn’t planned this way,” Wynn said. “But everything happens for reason. God has a plan for everybody, so I’m taking it and enjoying it and trying to make the best of it.”

Nebraska is thankful to have him along a defensive line that lost two regulars in Colton Feist and Devin Drew, and whose most veteran member — Ty Robinson — is out this spring recovering from a shoulder injury. Wynn has routinely been among a few linemen receiving individual skill instruction early in practices from position coach Terrance Knighton.

Knighton is one reason Wynn chose to play his age-23 senior year at Nebraska. Every rep comes with feedback or encouragement. Who better to learn from than someone who played seven seasons and more than 100 games in the NFL?

“I just soak in everything he tells me and he keeps it real with me and I really appreciate that from him,” Wynn said. “He knows I have dreams and aspirations of getting to where he’s been, and he knows what it takes to get there.”

The to-do list is ongoing. Wynn said he’s replacing body fat with muscle on his 6-foot-3 frame and wants to get down to a playing weight of 305 to 315 pounds from where he is now, around 320. He’s working to improve his first two steps for better “vertical penetration” into the offensive line — something that has “eluded me,” he said.

When he watches his own film, he sees a defender who last year was too stationary inside the tackles. That will change within the frenetic scheme of new Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White.

“There’s a lot of movement up front,” Wynn said. “I think it gives me a chance to show off my athleticism as a big guy and that I can move and make plays in the backfield and down the line. Just more opportunity for me.”

The son of former Clemson tight end Stephon Wynn Sr. considered turning pro after his first Husker fall when he made 22 tackles and logged a single pass breakup, quarterback hurry and fumble recovery. Yet he only saw 304 defensive snaps, well off the pace of position mates like Robinson (583) and Feist (540).

His family agreed: There’s nothing to lose — and plenty to gain — by running it back with Nebraska one more time. And this time with the benefit of a full offseason in Lincoln under a new coaching staff.

“I just felt that I didn’t do all I could do to give myself the best chance (last year),” Wynn said. “I feel like I can come back and give myself a better chance to maybe go higher (in the draft) and get more opportunity.”

Other interviews Thursday reminded that stability from Wynn could go a long way with a group in transition.

Blaise Gunnerson — now listed as a defensive lineman and looking to build on a 2022 reserve role — has missed part of spring with injury. Texas A&M transfer Elijah Jeudy spoke about adjusting to a three-man front and a bigger role. Converted tight end AJ Rollins is acclimating to the defensive side and marveled at how “super fun” it is not just eating blocks but making plays in the trenches.

Ru’Quan Buckley, Kai Wallin and Cameron Lenhardt are other new, young or unproven talents in the mix. Nash Hutmacher has been a leader but has yet to fill a full-time job himself. White said Nebraska has halted scheme installs the last few days so coaches can gauge how players perform moving at full speed.

Wynn said he trusts the staff, which he called “amazing” for its united front through more than four months on the job. Of all the coaches he’s been around, Matt Rhule and company have a tighter bond than any of them. That’s trickled down to the players already.

The defender can’t wait to see how it translates into a season in which he plans to play a leading part.

“Him and the whole staff, they’ve all been at several places together and they all trust him and trust his plan and process,” Wynn said. “As players, it’s very encouraging to see that all the coaches are bought into and believe in what he says and what he believes will make us a successful team.”