NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
2013 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Rex Burkhead-IB, Ben Cotton-TE, Kyler Reed-TE, Seung Hoon Choi-OG, Justin Jackson-C, Brett Maher-K/P
DEFENSE: Eric Martin-DE, Baker Steinkuhler-DT, Cameron Meredith-DE, Sean Fisher-BUCK, Will Compton-MLB, Alonzo Whaley-WLB, Daimion Stafford-SS, P.J. Smith-FS
QB Taylor Martinez
Quarterback / Receiver

Four year starting quarterback Taylor Martinez is the big reason Nebraska will try and hold on to a Top 25 billing. With a bevy of top notch receivers at his disposal it will be of major importance that Nebraska begin adding a real passing game threat. Martinez is already the school's all-time career leading passer. He is obviously capable of beating teams solely with his feet.

Defensive Front

In the Big Ten Championship Game the Huskers gave up a school record 539 yards rushing to Wisconsin. This has been a major problem in all of the Nebraska losses. Only two part-time starters return to this front seven on defense. Where coaches go from here is anyone's guess.

DB Ciante Evans
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2013 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
NEBRASKA 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Taylor Martinez-Sr Ron Kellogg-Sr
FB Mike Marrow-Sr C.J. Zimmerer-Sr / Andy Janovich-So
IB Ameer Abdullah-Jr Braylon Heard-Jr / Imani Cross-So
WR Kenny Bell-Jr ..
WR Quincy Enunwa-Sr Jamal Turner-Jr
TE Jake Long-Sr ..
OT Brent Qvale-Sr ..
OG .. ..
C .. ..
OG Spencer Long-Sr ..
OT Jeremiah Sirles-Sr Andrew Rodriguez-Sr
K .. ..
 
NEBRASKA 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Jason Ankrah-Sr ..
DT Thad Randle-Sr ..
DT Chase Rome-Jr ..
DE .. ..
SLB .. ..
MLB .. ..
WLB David Santos-So ..
CB Josh Mitchell-Jr Stanley Jean-Baptiste-Sr
CB Andrew Green-Sr Charles Jackson-So
SS .. ..
FS Harvey Jackson-Jr Corey Cooper-Jr
NB Ciante Evans-Sr ..
P .. ..
QUICK TAKES

    12/18/12

  • Two aspects are killing Nebraska...turnovers and the inability to stop people from running the ball down their throats. The first is a horrible situation at any level, the latter is a death blow in the Big Ten conference. The 2013 depth chart does not offer any immediate solace to defensive coaches at this time.
  • Some might argue that Nebraska could fall completely out of the Top 25 before this season is over or before next season gets here with the 2013 list based on the fact the Huskers take a few hits in the personnel loss column. Taylor Martinez is a big reason why they probably stick. The four-year starter seems to have improved since his sophomore year but that won't be enough if Nebraska is to compete at a higher level.
  • Martinez will be working with some of the Big Ten's best receivers led by Kenny Bell. But the passing numbers and interception totals are still a work in progress.
  • Nebraska football isn't much different today from what it was 25 years ago offensively. It's a Heisman type running quarterback first and a powerful I-Back second. Ameer Abdullah fits that I-Back mold.
  • Stopping the run was the biggest problem in all three of the Cornhusker losses. Nebraska has been dominated on the perimeter. There is no way to determine where this defensive front goes from here.
  • On the flip side Nebraska owns the nation's No. 1 ranked pass defense. Led by nickel back Ciante Evans and two solid veteran corners this unit will continue to be a strong aspect.

 

NEBRASKA 2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 - Wyoming
Sept. 7 - Southern Miss
Sept. 14 - UCLA
Sept. 21 - South Dakota State
Oct. 5 - Illinois
Oct. 12 - at Purdue
Oct. 26 - at Minnesota
Nov. 2 - Northwestern
Nov. 9 - at Michigan
Nov. 16 - Michigan State
Nov. 23 - at Penn State
Nov. 30 - Iowa