Post-spring progress for Nebraska football’s linebackers

MJ Sherman has the ruler and, until the Husker football season begins, he’s not giving it back.

“It’s me vs. me every single day,” the Nebraska Jack linebacker said in April. “That’s my measuring stick.”

There’s good and bad stuff on film, he said, but neither he nor his linebacker teammates have taken a step back in spring camp. Some of the young guys, like Vincent Shavers, bring a lot of “flash” to their playmaking, Sherman said. Others, like Sherman, are asked to be dependable.

But there’s one area where Nebraska’s linebackers have excelled in spring.

“There’s a lot of speed,” Sherman said.

That’s what happens when two of the top returnees from 2023, John Bullock and Javin Wright, are transplanted defensive backs. Nebraska moved both from safety spots to linebacker with great success; they combined for 101 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in defensive coordinator Tony White’s aggressive system.

Those two could be NU’s starters at inside ‘backer while Sherman will battle Princewill Umanmielen at the Jack linebacker spot, which in White’s scheme can function like a fourth defensive lineman or a third coverage linebacker.

Who’s here: At Jack, Nebraska is flush with talent, including MJ Sherman, Princewill Umanmielen, Kai Wallin, Maverick Noonan and Willis McGahee. Scholarship inside linebackers include John Bullock, Javin Wright, Mikai Gbayor, Stefon Thompson, Gage Stenger, Dylan Rogers and Vincent Shavers. Among walk-ons, Taveon Thompson, Grant Buda and late freshman addition Danny Pasko are names to watch.

Who left: Chief Borders, a third-string Jack linebacker, entered the transfer portal shortly after the end of spring camp. Eric Fields left the program in the winter and did not return.

Who’s the coach: Rob Dvoracek, identified by Matrix Analytical as a “rising star” at the position. He’s a pretty good bargain at $285,000, and fits coach Matt Rhule’s idea of a technician, too. In 2023, he successfully took players who’d played little collegiate linebacker — Bullock, Gbayor and Wright — and plugged them into valuable roles.

Before an injury, Dvoracek played under coach Matt Rhule at Temple.

“When you’re a player, sometimes you don’t have the maturity that you do as you get older,” Dvoracek said of his own playing days. “…I didn’t really understand the ‘why’ of a lot of things. As you get older, you’re like, ‘OK, that makes sense.’”

Snapshot: Nebraska lost its top two linebackers, Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich, from 2023, but the way Dvoracek rotates his guys, Bullock, Wright and Gbayor each received valuable experience in the role. And given the aggressive way NU chooses to play run and pass defense, it’s ideal to have four or five inside ‘backers rotating throughout a game so someone doesn’t get unduly winded.

Bullock, a 6-0, 220, is an undersized-but-fearless speed demon who played particularly well in the first half of last season. He’s hard for opposing offensive linemen to track. Wright, Gbayor or Thompson — a transfer from Syracuse — will get playing time, too, but don’t count out Shavers, a late add to the 2024 recruiting class who dropped Miami (Fla.) and pledged to the Huskers in mid-December. He made plays throughout spring, according to coaches.

At Jack, Sherman and Umanmielen have to take the leap from decent to great. Umanmielen (22 tackles, 4½ tackles for loss, a sack) got a season of experience before missing spring camp with a shoulder injury. He can get around the corner against offensive tackles. Sherman — 6-3, 250 — is more of a run-stuffing defensive end type who will be asked to bull rush against tackles. Each are crucial to NU developing a better four-man pass rush.

“We’re becoming more immersed and comfortable as a five/nine technique,” Sherman said. “Trying to be one of those edge-setters who makes a difference in the game. Edge rusher, edge setter.”

NU could use a little more depth at either position.

Arriving this summer: North Platte graduate and Montana transfer Vince Genatone brings an intriguing skillset to NU. While they may end up at positions in the secondary or on offense, Evan Taylor and Braylen Prude were recruited as defensive athletes.

Post-spring depth chart: Jack: 1 Princewill Umanmielen or MJ Sherman, 3 Maverick Noonan; ILB: 1s John Bullock and Javin Wright, 2s Stefon Thompson, Mikai Gbayor, Vincent Shavers and Vince Genatone