Post-spring progress for Nebraska football’s defensive line

But this spring, Nebraska coaches asked them to do just that. Part of the rationale was for physical health — Hutmacher had just returned from a wrestling season — and it also meant additional reps for Nebraska’s younger defensive linemen.

It took a brief adjustment for Hutmacher, who head coach Matt Rhule joked “almost got into a fight” with defensive line coach Terrance Knighton over being held out of a drill. By the end of spring ball, Hutmacher and Robinson were full participants in positional drills and other individual work while sitting out from NU’s team periods during practice.

Watching from the sidelines isn’t easy — but NU’s veteran leaders of the room soon learned they could teach technique when they weren’t practicing it.

“We’re a super tight-knit group, we have a lot of fun but we also work really hard together,” Hutmacher said. “We’re out there for each other, we’re playing for each other and it’s a special group.”

Anchored by Hutmacher and Robinson, the Nebraska defensive line was one of the nation’s best in 2023. Both in rush defense and in total sacks, the Huskers ranked inside the top 20 nationally.

Getting off the field early and forcing more takeaways are goals the defensive line room continues to work on, Knighton said — and in order to achieve them, Nebraska will need more contributors than just its super seniors.

“I always preach to the group about attacking in waves, and we need eight (to) nine guys that can go and play like starters,” Knighton said.

Who’s here: Nebraska’s scholarship linemen include Jimari Butler, Vincent Carroll-Jackson, Mason Goldman, Nash Hutmacher, Elijah Jeudy, Sua Lefotu, Cameron Lenhardt, Ashton Murphy, Ty Robinson, AJ Rollins, Brodie Tagaloa, Riley Van Poppel and Kai Wallin.

Sophomore James Williams is NU’s top walk-on at the position, joined by Leslie Black, David Borchers and Conor Connealy.

Who left: Chief Borders, a potential starter at defensive line or Jack linebacker, entered the transfer portal on April 29.

Who’s the coach: A former NFL defensive lineman, Knighton’s professional experience often shows up during Nebraska’s practice sessions. The soft-spoken Knighton — who Nebraska players call “T-Knight” — often mimes the form he wants players to show or demonstrates on a blocking dummy.

Knighton began his coaching career at FCS Wagner before working under Rhule with the Carolina Panthers as a defensive assistant for two seasons. Knighton followed Rhule to Nebraska, where he’s paid an annual salary of $400,000.

Snapshot: The defensive line is expected to be one of Nebraska’s strengths in 2024. Hutmacher and Robinson have the potential to be all-conference selections, but Nebraska does rotate heavily at the position, so that limits their statistical output.

Eight different Huskers played 100 or more snaps last season, with Hutmacher and Robinson surpassing 500 total snaps. Jimari Butler made a big jump in 2023 to become Nebraska’s leading pass rusher with 5½ sacks, and he’ll continue that role moving forward.

Sophomore James Williams flashed his pass-rushing skills during a four-game redshirt season and is working to become a three-down player, Knighton said. Cameron Lenhardt made a large impact as a true freshman and is expected to make a jump in his second year at Nebraska according to Knighton.

Several players will be eager to prove themselves after a redshirt season. Junior AJ Rollins and sophomore Kai Wallin reached their four-game limit early in the 2023 campaign while Brodie Tagaloa and Mason Goldman missed the season due to injury.

On the interior, Riley Van Poppel, Vincent Carroll-Jackson and Sua Lefotu are potential backup options behind Hutmacher. Van Poppel played in 11 games as a freshman and is poised for a larger role.

Finding playing time for all those expected contributors will be a difficult task for Knighton and the NU coaching staff.

“All those different guys bring different things to the table,” Knighton said. “James is a different player than Jimari, Jimari’s a different player than Ty and Ty’s different from Cam. As a coach, it’s a little challenging because you have to figure out guys’ strengths and when to get them in.”

Arriving this summer: Keona Wilhite, a late scholarship addition to Nebraska’s 2024 recruiting class, and walk-on lineman Jordan Ochoa. Given NU’s depth at the position, any transfer additions appear unlikely.

Post-spring depth chart: 1s: Robinson, Hutmacher, Butler; 2s: Lenhardt, Van Poppel, Jeudy; 3s: Williams, Lefotu, Rollins; 4s: Wallin, Carroll-Jackson, Tagaloa.