Why AJ Rollins’ gray jersey is good news for Nebraska’s defense

Matt Rhule snapped his fingers.

“Holy smokes, look at this!” the Nebraska coach said after Tuesday’s practice. Rhule was recalling his epiphany that Omaha Creighton Prep graduate AJ Rollins was a perfect candidate for one of Rhule’s favorite things in football.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder had been a tight end before this spring. But Rollins was one of two Huskers on Tuesday wearing a gray jersey, which Rhule uses to signify “two-way” players practicing on offense and defense. Rollins, Rhule said, has been a part of the Husker defensive line drills, and might be a future edge rusher.

“He’s probably had the most sacks on the team,” Rhule said, noting Rollins is alternating between tight end and defensive line. “I personally think he has a real future there. I don’t make guys move. I think he’s feeling his way. But he’s a great, great, great young man. He’s sort of like ‘what do you think is best?’ So we’ve kind of been playing him both ways.”

Because the Huskers were “down” some receivers in camp, Rhule moved defensive back Jalil Martin to wideout, so he wore a gray jersey, too. The Huskers are flush with secondary depth — “We have more DBs than anyone in the country right now,” Rhule said — so Martin’s move didn’t adversely affect any of position coach Evan Cooper’s drills.

As for Rollins, he may join a position that lost its four top performers from last season when Caleb Tannor graduated and Garrett Nelson, Ochaun Mathis and Colton Feist all chose not to return for their final seasons of eligibility. On Tuesday, Rollins worked with the linemen, as did inside linebacker Mikai Gbayor, a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder whose frame might fit a weakside role.

Rhule said he anticipates “a couple more” position moves, as well. Rhule believes in recruiting good athletes who translate to a variety of roles, then slotting their position as time goes on. Rhule’s offensive coordinator, Marcus Satterfield touted a “positionless” offense last week, and Tony White’s 3-3-5 system has the back-end defenders creating what players and coaches call “chaos.”

“Our job as coaches is to coach everybody. And then as we get into the season and all that, things will happen,” Rhule said. “And we will be a little different than the last couple seasons. If we’re playing the same 11 guys on defense all game, I’m going to lose my mind. I want to be playing 18, 19, 20 guys on defense. We’re not going to come out in just one personnel grouping. So I’ve got to get a lot of guys ready. That’s why I’m moving guys around, trying different positions.”

“And then, every once in a while, you stumble onto an AJ.”