Nebraska football is deep into the offseason and spring football is underway, with members of the 2024 recruiting class on campus and winter conditioning work all finished.
This seems like an ideal time to take stock of each position group.
Up next is the Husker linebacker and EDGE rusher group, which enjoyed a strong 2023 season, but must replace a pair of veterans this year.
BREEZY 2023 REVIEW
No position group likely typified Nebraska flexing its defensive depth more than the Husker linebacker group in 2023.
While mainstays like Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich both showed up again last season, Nebraska was able to get more out of new contributors, and find new roles for players who moved to linebacker after Matt Rhule and Tony White arrived in Lincoln.
The linebacker group was a big part of Nebraska’s statistical climb in 2023 as the rush defense improved from No. 108 in 2022 to No. 9 in the country last season. The Huskers gave up an average of 2.97 yards per attempt and 92.9 rush yards per game, which was also a Top-10 mark nationally.
Anecdotally, Nebraska tackled significantly better in 2023 — in part because of the Huskers’ changing approach to tackling in practice — and with the bulk of the veterans back from last season, plus a few intriguing additions coming off redshirt seasons, the linebacker group could be poised for a step forward in the second year of Tony White’s defense.
CONTRIBUTORS LEAVING
Luke Reimer: In his final season, Reimer earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from Big Ten coaches. Reimer started 10 games this season and made 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks, ranking second on the team in sacks and third in tackles for loss. Reimer finished his Husker career with 293 tackles, which ranks him No. 3 on the program’s all-time list.
Nick Henrich: Heinrich appeared in 10 games, making four starts in 2023. Heinrich suffered a season-ending injury in November and opted to retire from football. He recorded 42 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks with one pass breakup. For his career, Heinrich played in 35 games and recorded 204 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Garrett Snodgrass: Snodgrass appeared in all 12 games on special teams, making four tackles. For his career, Snodgrass played in 27 games, making 13 tackles.
Grant Tagge: A long-time special teams contributor, Tagge appeared in 35 career games. He had a fumble recovery in Nebraska’s win at Illinois last season.
Kaine Williams: The former Alabama transfer appeared in four games last season, but did not record a tackle.
PLAYERS ARRIVING
Willis McGahee IV: As a senior for Christopher Columbus High School, McGahee recorded 57 tackles with 16 sacks and nine tackles for loss. He had a nose for the ball with seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three pass breakups and three defensive touchdowns.
Vincent Shavers: Shavers was a late addition to Nebraska’s 2024 recruiting class, officially visiting on the final weekend before National Signing Day in December. The long-time Miami commit totaled more than 170 tackles in his prep career with more than 30 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. Shavers is already up to 220 pounds since arriving on campus.
Braylen Prude: Nebraska offered Prude based on his appearance at a satellite camp in Texas last summer. On the track, Prude owns a personal-best time of 50.69 in the 400 meters.
Stefon Thompson: The 6-foot-1, 250-pound Thompson comes to Nebraska from Syracuse, where he spent four seasons. Thompson spent three of those seasons being coached by current Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White. Thompson played in 36 games for the Orange and accumulated 169 total tackles, including 20 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
