Nebraska defensive line room embracing new nickname

Terrance Knighton’s social media bio says it all: “CEO of Death Row.”

The Nebraska defensive line coach worked together with his players to create a nickname for the 2024 defensive line room — so this fall, opponents can expect to come face to face with Nebraska’s “Death Row.”

“As close as we are as a group and (because) we do a lot of things together off the field, those guys enjoy it and it gives us some personality,” Knighton said Thursday on the Huskers Radio Network. “I feel like every D-line should have a nickname, so those guys enjoy it and they take it very seriously by the way.”

There’s even a secret handshake that comes with the territory according to Knighton, with this type of camaraderie being the result of a veteran-led group.

With senior multi-year starters Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher joined by juniors Jimari Butler and Elijah Jeudy, the NU defensive line room has no shortage of leaders. According to Knighton, the leaders are “all business” to the point that they ensure their younger teammates are on time, prepared and ready to go for meetings.

“I’m just happy with the leadership that’s taken place in the room,” Knighton said. “Those older guys are starting to take ownership of the room, and it’s making my job a lot easier.”

The veteran Huskers’ efforts on the field are just as crucial. Butler, who recorded a team-high 5½ sacks in his first season as a defensive lineman last fall, has sculpted an impressive physical build by adding 25 pounds of muscle this offseason according to Knighton.

Robinson, who played the most snaps of any Husker lineman last season, is the “old man of the group,” while Hutmacher is set to continue an equally important role albeit with a new level of physical conditioning.

After losing a lot of weight to wrestle for Nebraska in the winter, Hutmacher hasn’t needed to add it all back on. Knighton said that the NU coaching staff made that decision with an eye toward the senior’s future in the sport as a potential NFL Draft pick next spring.

“I would say he’s a unicorn because he’s a 335-pound guy who can sack the quarterback and stop the run,” Knighton said. “The 20-25 pounds that he’s lost is going to allow him to be more dynamic and line up at different spots and not just be a stationary guy at nose.”

Behind Hutmacher, Robinson and Butler, the young talent in Knighton’s room is equally as impressive.

Knighton said he’s challenged sophomore James Williams to grow into an all-around lineman and not just a third-down pass-rushing specialist, while he expects sophomore Princewill Umanmielen to be a “game-changer” off the edge.

Starting roles are not yet official, but Knighton didn’t hesitate to name sophomore Cam Lenhardt as one likely option for Nebraska’s Aug. 31 season opener.

“Cam is a starter on this defense too and we expect him to play well this year,” Knighton said.

The likes of Riley Van Poppel, Sua Leoftu, Vincent Jackson, Kai Wallin, AJ Rollins are all set to earn playing time as well, so Knighton expects to have at least nine players capable of playing at a starter’s level.

Only so many can be on the field at one given time — hence the “Death Row” that opponents will face against the Husker defensive line this fall.

“If I could play six guys, I would love to,” Knighton said. “That’s the great thing about our room.”