What are the expectations for Nebraska in 2021?

Considering the amount of starting production coming back, one expectation should be to have a winning season — actually, that needs to happen. If it doesn’t, things are going to get even worse than they are right now for 4th-year head coach Scott Frost.

Making a bowl game would be another expectation. Those are two endings to a season that haven’t happened since 2016 when Mike Riley was roaming the sidelines at Memorial Stadium.

Of course, a single position group won’t be the deciding factor of Nebraska achieving those expectations. Football is the greatest team game in sports after all, and each of the 11 players on the field matter. But let’s ask the question anyway. If you had to pick one Huskers position group whose performance would make the greatest impact this season, which would it be?

The easy answer is quarterback. That spot is the most important to any team, but that’s boring. Let’s dig deeper.

Nebraska’s defensive line might be the answer here. Why? For one, coach Tony Tuioti’s group has the most quality depth with a mix of veterans and young guys. Every starter and primary backup returns, including the one who’s viewed as the leader — Ben Stille, a 6th-year senior who racked up 27 tackles and 3 for a loss to go with a team-high 3 quarterback hurries.

At 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, Stille, who was hurt in the spring but should be ready for the season, has played a lot of football in a Huskers uniform and will be a key anchor on the D-line. He’s also serving as a mentor to a talented group of underclassmen in Ty Robinson and Casey Rogers, who impressed last year in their first real action.

The 6-6, 305-pound Robinson, a 3rd-year redshirt freshman, is a mountain at defensive tackle. The former 4-star prospect from Arizona who held offers from Alabama, Oregon and USC has the ability to slide one spot over to an end if needed, too. Out of all the D-linemen in Lincoln, Robinson is the one with the most potential for an NFL career.

Rogers is fun, too. The 4th-year sophomore and former lacrosse player from New York is 6-5, 295 and a solid option at end. Him coming on last year wasn’t totally expected, so it was a nice surprise.

Robinson had 17 tackles and 2 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2020. Rogers had 25 stops and 3 for a loss. If those numbers seem low, they shouldn’t. Racking up eye-popping stats isn’t always a D-lineman’s job at Nebraska.

While Robinson and Rogers are two young guys that will continue to get better with more reps, the Huskers also bring back a few older players who will be valuable in this deep rotation — Deontre Thomas, Damion Daniels and Jordon Riley. What do each bring to the field?

  • The 6-2, 285-pound Thomas has always been undersized for a Big Ten defensive lineman, but if he stays healthy, he’ll be a key backup. He’s quicker than his larger teammates, which should help on twists and other stunts when defensive coordinator Erik Chinander sends pressure.
  • Daniels is the textbook definition of a gap-filling, space-eating nose tackle at 6-3, 325 pounds. Reports from camp have been good — his stamina looks better, which was always the issue with him. If Daniels can last more than 2 or 3 plays at a time before needing a breather, that will only help the defense as a whole.
  • Fans probably wanted to see a bit more of Riley last year, but it didn’t really work out that way in his first season in Lincoln. More reps are likely coming in 2021. At 6-6, 310 pounds, the former North Carolina Tar Heel will do what Daniels and Robinson do well — hold their ground against O-linemen so linebackers get clean lanes to make plays.

Nebraska also has a nice group of true freshman D-linemen that should excite the fanbase. Some of the favorites to see time in the future once they’re more acclimated to Big Ten line play are Nash Hutmacher, Ru’Quan Buckley and Jailen Weaver.

  • The 6-4, 325-pound Hutmacher will be a fan favorite whenever he does see the field. He’s from South Dakota and is a hunter and fisherman, much like the fans who will watch him. He’s slated to be a defensive tackle.
  • Buckley was a nice pickup for Tuioti’s room. The Huskers snagged the 6-5, 290-pounder who held offers from Michigan, Oregon, TCU and Indiana among others.
  • Weaver, a 3-star signee, chose Nebraska over schools like Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tennessee and Indiana. At 6-8 and 320 pounds, he appears to be a large presence in the D-line room. Like most true freshman lineman, he’ll need to work on his body before seeing the field, especially in the Big Ten.

One in-state player who may crack the rotation is Colton Feist, from Yutan, Neb. The 6-2, 280-pound sophomore appeared in 4 games last season but didn’t record a stat. That will likely change with a bigger role in 2021.

There’s plenty of options for Tuioti to work with this fall. There’s no doubt about it — Nebraska’s D-line is the strength of the team and the position group that can most help propel the Huskers to a winning season and bowl game.