Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler
***Butler said creating more plays on defense was still a “work in progress,” but it’s something the staff tracks every day. He called that one of the defense’s top priorities this offseason. They chart whether they won the rep in coverage and made a play on the ball, and then reward those plays.
“The more plays you make, the more you work your way up the depth chart.”
***Butler said his transition to defensive coordinator has been “awesome” while working with
Matt Rhule and
Phil Snow. He called Snow “a great confidant for me.” The other defensive assistants had all blended well into what he wanted on that side of the ball.
***On Snow’s role, Butler wants him to “help us and help our players in every single way he can.” Butler wants to be open to all of the ways he can help on and off the field. Butler said he worked in a similar situation with the Houston Texans when
Romeo Crennel went from DC to a senior assistant role.
***Butler said
Ceyair Wright was a returning starter, but he was still competing for that job every day this offseason. He reiterated that there was no depth chart and everyone would have a chance to make their mark.
“I’m excited about how that’s going to shake out.”
Butler talks veterans, third-down defense
***Butler said getting
DeShon Singleton and
Javin Wright back was similar to re-signing free agents in the NFL. He said it was great that both guys wanted to return and be part of what they’re building on defense this season.
***Butler said he looked at Singleton in “multiple spots” on defense. He said that appealed to Singleton in coming back this season. “You can’t pigeonhole players.”
***On advancing Nebraska’s third-down defensive packages, Butler said, “It’s a process.” They’re starting with base defense and first and second-down stuff while “introducing” more third-down schemes as they go.
He said it would combine keeping what worked before and adding new wrinkles to make it even better. Whatever they do, “you’ve got to affect the quarterback.”
***Butler said
Elijah Jeudy has had a “very good five days of spring.” Jeudy is another veteran player Nebraska was “excited” to have back this season.
***Butler said
Donovan Jones was an example of what happens when a player prepares every day like he is going to play. When Jones got his chance in the bowl game, he was ready to take full advantage of his opportunity.
Defensive lineman Elijah Jeudy
***Jeudy said he was currently at 298 pounds. He came to Nebraska at 312 but then dropped down to 270 by the end of last season. His goal is to be big enough to hold his own in the Big Ten while maintaining his speed and explosiveness.
***Jeudy said working with Butler and all the new coaches had been “a great transition.” He said DL coach
Terry Bradden was an “energy” guy, and they’d already developed “a really great bond.”
***Jeudy said Butler wanted “a lot more swag” from Nebraska’s defense. That means guys being themselves and playing with confidence.
***Jeudy said he’s focused on “the small things” to be more of a leader on the defensive line. That includes offering encouragement and “making sure everybody’s motivated to accomplish our goals this season.”
***Jeudy said his fiance and one-year-old son were his greatest motivators and why he stuck it out at Nebraska. He said his son taught him a lot of patience, while his fiance always pushes him to keep going.
Defensive back DeShon Singleton
***Singleton said he knew he wanted to return to Nebraska after talking with his family and realizing his opportunity with the Huskers. He said it was “crazy” knowing he had another year of eligibility through a waiver.
***Singleton said his goal this season was to “go win a national championship” with “the best secondary in the country.”
***He also wanted to “put certain things on tape” to improve his NFL stock, including more “ball production” with takeaways. He credited Butler for helping him learn more about the game and setting a high standard.
***Singleton said
Addison Williams brought “a level of knowledge” and technique to the secondary. He felt all the DB coaches he’d worked with had helped him grow as a player.
***Singleton said he felt comfortable moving around on defense, but he loves playing safety. He’ll go down closer to the line of scrimmage in certain packages, but it’s mostly playing “different kinds of safety.”
***Singleton said Nebraska had “all different types of receivers,” which made the secondary better because they saw “a lot of variety” every day in practice.
Linebacker Javin Wright
***
Javin Wright said he’d been doing everything “a normal player” would do since he was cleared to fully practice this offseason. He said it was a long process to get there, and now he appreciates practice more and treats it “like an art form or a lifestyle.”
“You kind of immerse yourself into football.”
***Wright said he gets called “old man” all the time, being the first seventh-year player in Nebraska history. He texted former NU safety Deontai Williams and said, “I know how you feel now.”
***Wright said his experience allowed him to play any linebacker spot or even “alone in the box.”
***Wright said Butler was “very frantic” about understanding and being “more immersed” in football. Wright has loved Butler’s intensity and attention to detail.
***Having been a college football player for seven years, Wright called himself “a bridge between two worlds” with how the game used to be and what it is now. He still remembers having to save money and ride a scooter to class, while guys now are making a lot of money and have cars.
“We’re all blessed now.”
***Wright said he was “extremely grateful” for all of the support Nebraska’s coaches and teammates – past and current – had given him during his seven-year journey.