The Husker Heisman Huddle: Talking Blackshirts With Adam Carriker

Analyzing the Nebraska defense

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The Husker defense will have a new look next year as Tony White looks to implement a 3-3-5 scheme. But how will it fit into the Big Ten? How will Nebraska’s personnel fit into the scheme? Though a little apprehensive at first, Blackshirt legend Adam Carriker of the Carriker Chronicles podcast thinks the scheme could work well for the Huskers in the Big Ten. “Back in the day, Nebraska ran such a unique offense it was a nightmare for teams to get ready for in one week. And then you would never face it again unless you played Nebraska. Well Matt Rhule has flat out said that’s what we can be like on defense now. We will be unique.”

However, in order for the Blackshirts to get their edge back, there is something more important than the scheme. Carriker believes that the success of the Huskers' new look on defense largely rests on White and Rhule establishing the right mentality on defense. “You’ve got to go fast, you’ve got to stunt hard, you’ve got to blitz, and you got to be able to disguise. … You’ve got to be willing if you’re a 225-pound safety to knock that 330-pound guard on a power play. You’ve got be willing to do these things.” The burden of establishing the right mentality doesn’t just reside with the coaches either. With players like Garrett Nelson and Ochaun Mathis departing, the leadership of players like Ty Robinson, Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich is more crucial than ever to establish the mentality of the defensive front in a defensive back heavy scheme.

Tune into the Husker Heisman Huddle to hear more from Adam Carriker on the 2023 Blackshirts as Eric Crouch and Johnny “the Jet” Rodgers discuss how the Huskers’ defense can turn it around this season. Next week Eric and Johnny will preview the quarterback room with none other than Tommie Frazier! Make sure to like and subscribe on YouTube and your favorite podcast app (Spotify, iHeart, and Apple Podcasts). And always remember to throw the bones!