Why Matt Rhule predicted Nebraska's defensive line would be 'hell on wheels'

A rhythmic smacking noise stood out amid the hubbub of Nebraskas first team practice Monday.

The defensive line was already stacking reps.

While the offensive line operated in the cool of the Hawks Center and various skill positions moved about working with footballs, a new wave of trench enforcers had already soaked their white jerseys with sweat.

Lining up on hands and knees on a sweltering morning, they dove at player-sized inflatable cones to simulate second-effort tackles.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Good! Good! Good! NU position coach Terry Bradden shouted each time.

This isnt last years Husker defensive line that was loaded with familiar personalities and producers like Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher.

Only one player, Cameron Lenhardt, has started multiple games there with Nebraska.

None including Bradden and defensive coordinator John Butler have been with the position for more than two seasons.

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What can Nebraskas first wave of defense be now with a real game less than a month away? Ive got a lot of confidence in our group, Lenhardt said.

Were going to go out there and perform.

Coach Matt Rhule has taken a steady, encouraging tone with the line for months.

He predicted it would be hell on wheels during media days in Las Vegas.

He brought in Bradden in February to help it develop after Bradden spent years as a defensive line assistant with the NFLs Kansas City Chiefs.

The last thing our players need is for me to say theyre not going to be good, Rhule said.

They hear that enough.

I think theyre going to be really good.

That relative lack of experience contrasts with the rest of the defense and much of the offense, too.

Senior Elijah Jeudy, redshirt sophomore Riley Van Poppel and the junior Lenhardt could all start Aug.

28 in Kansas City they combined for barely more defensive snaps a year ago (469) than Hutmacher alone (440) and well below Robinson (598).

In short, workloads will go up as rotational contributors become more.

For other returning Huskers, too, like sophomores Keona Davis (108 snaps last year), Mason Goldman (35) and Sua Lefotu (15).

Same with Williams Nwaneri the former five-star prospect redshirted at Missouri a season ago and potentially Mississippi State transfer Gabe Moore.

Jaylen George is making the jump as a former 23-game starter at the FCS level.

Davis will do great things this season, Lenhardt said.

Nwaneri is a freak with how he can move physically.

Dylan Parrott in his second year moving from offensive line has made his presence felt.

Ty and Nash are obviously two great players theyre tough to replace, NU senior offensive lineman Henry Lutovsky said last week.

But I have full belief in Riley Van Poppel, Cam Lenhardt, Elijah Jeudy and all those guys to really step up and fill those shoes.

Ideally, Rhule said, D-line is a position where players arrive as teenagers and emerge as contributors when they turn 20 or 21 when their bodies fill out.

This group inspires that kind of confidence in him.

Ive just seen then lift, Ive seen them run, Ive seen them grow, Rhule said.

I think the only thing thats going to limit them is their own brains.

Rhules year-three D-lines have been part of past breakouts at Temple and Baylor.

Both Temple in 2016 and Baylor in 2019 were part of top-30 run-stopping groups and top-20 pass-rush outfits.

Nebraska approached both mile markers last season but replaces all three line starters including Jimari Butler, who left for LSU.

Getting to the quarterback in a base three- or four-man front remains an unproven quality with this group.

Bradden in the spring worked with players individually to refine their specific go-to moves to shake a blocker on the way to the passer.

Fundamentals is fundamentals, Bradden said in April.

We cant get bored with them.

The Huskers have a month to stay sharp.

To keep smacking the rock in their own D-line way.

To approach or exceed the standard set last year by guys now in other power leagues or on NFL rosters.

Thats lofty to live up to but weve got guys who can do it, Rhule said.

I have nothing but high expectations for our guys.

I expect them to be really good.

If they expect it too, then well get there..

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