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Nebraska Football: 5 biggest questions facing Cornhuskers in spring 2018

By Connor Muldowney

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Devine Ozigbo #22 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers tries to avoide the tackle of defensive back Damon Hayes #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Devine Ozigbo #22 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers tries to avoide the tackle of defensive back Damon Hayes #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 10: Running back LeShun Daniels #29 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field in front of linebacker Dedrick Young #5 and safety Aaron Williams #24 of the Nebraska Huskers during the second quarter, on November 25, 2016 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 10: Running back LeShun Daniels #29 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field in front of linebacker Dedrick Young #5 and safety Aaron Williams #24 of the Nebraska Huskers during the second quarter, on November 25, 2016 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

 4. Will the defense show improvement?

Giving up more yards per game to opponents than yards accrued in 2017, Nebraska proved that defense was an issue. Although the offense had some problems of its own, the Cornhuskers allowed almost 440 yards of total offense and 36 points per game during the 2017 season — the scoring defense ranked 116th out of 130 teams.

With a new regime in town, will the defense show some improvements from that squad in 2017 that finished just 4-8? It can’t get much worse, that’s for sure.

Nebraska has the pieces and incoming players to make an immediate impact. Marcus Newby, Chris Weber and Josh Kalu are all gone from the starting lineup last year, but Dedrick Young is back at inside linebacker after recording 80 tackles last season and Aaron Williams returns at safety after racking up 48 tackles, two interceptions and a pass defended.

Antonio Reed, Eric Lee Jr. and Lamar Jackson all return to the secondary as well, providing some solid depth along with early enrollee safety Deontai Williams.

Carlos Davis, Freedom Akinmoladun and Mick Stoltenberg are returning to the line and the linebackers should have depth as well.

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