Nebraska Football: 2019 depth chart predictions ahead of fall camp

Defense

Notable losses: In terms of total defense, Nebraska football allowed 433 yards per game last season, ranking 12th in the Big Ten. So it wasn’t like there were a ton of impact players last season, however, the Huskers will need to replace five of their six leading tacklers in Dedrick Young, Aaron Williams, Antonio Reed, Tre Neal and Luke Gifford, who may have been the best all-around defender with 12.5 TFL and five sacks to go along with 62 tackles and a forced fumble.

DE: Ben Stille, junior | Deontre Thomas, junior 

NT: Darrion Daniels, senior | Damion Daniels, sophomore

DE: Carlos Davis, senior | Khalil Davis, senior

The Huskers bring back an experienced defensive front, with a number of key contributors back from last season. Ben Stille (25 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 sacks) will start at one five-technique spot, while the other should be manned by Carlos or Khalil Davis, two productive players that combined for 68 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Darrion Daniels, a graduate transfer from Oklahoma State should also make an impact inside. He’s an NFL-caliber prospect, yet played just four games last season for the Cowboys. His brother, Damion Daniels, will be his backup.

OLB: JoJo Domann, junior | Caleb Tannor, sophomore 

ILB: Mo Barry, senior | Nick Henrich, freshman 

ILB: Colin Miller, junior | Will Honas, junior

OLB: Tyrin Ferguson, senior | Alex Davis, senior 

Mohamed Barry is the senior captain for the Nebraska football team and he returns after amassing 112 tackles, 10 TFL and two sacks. Colin Miller and Will Honas each contributed last season with 17 and 15 tackles each and incoming four-star freshman Nick Henrich could also make an early impact inside. On the edge, JoJo Domann has shifted from a hybrid position to edge rusher and he should thrive in that role. Tyrin Ferguson and Caleb Tannor will also need to reach their potential if the pass rush is going to be effective in 2019.

CB: Lamar Jackson, senior | Cam Taylor, sophomore 

CB: Dicaprio Bootle, junior | Braxton Clark, RS freshman

Nickel: Noa Pola-Gates, freshman | Cam Taylor, sophomore 

S: Deontai Williams, junior | Eric Lee, senior

S: Cam Taylor, sophomore | Noa-Pola Gates, freshman | Marquel Dismuke, junior 

While Nebraska football has to replace both of its starting safeties from 2018, it brings back two very solid corners in Lamar Jackson and Dicaprio Bootle. Bootle had 39 tackles last season and broke up 15 passes. Jackson also produced 28 tackles, broke up seven passes and picked off a couple too. The top corner spots are locked down and one safety position should be going to Deontai Williams, but there will be competition for the other spot. Noa Pola-Gates, a four-star freshman with elite athleticism could play nickel or safety and either he or sophomore Cam Taylor could fill that role, with the other taking the nickel job when the Huskers switch to sub packages.

KR: Maurice Washington, sophomore

PR: JD Spielman, junior 

K: Barret Pickering, sophomore

P: Isaac Armstrong, senior 

It’s hard to predict how Nebraska will handle its key special teams roles. Washington flashed as a kickoff returner a year ago but it’s unknown what his role will be. Freshman Wandale Robinson could join the conversation there. Robinson could also work his way into punt returns but only if the Huskers don’t want Spielman doing it, who scored a punt-return TD last season. Both Pickering and Armstrong return after solid campaigns in 2018.