John Butler wants a defense built to hit, and built to last

With the scheme installed and a firm two-deep forming, Nebraska’s defense enters the final stretch of spring with physicality, depth and identity.

Photo by Erin Sorensen

As Nebraska pushes into the final stretch of spring practices, the defense—under the direction of John Butler—feels less like a work in progress and more like a unit finding its voice. The schematic bones are in place. The twos and threes are taking meaningful reps. The pieces are moving. Some players, like Riley Van Poppel, are stepping forward with presence, poise and purpose.

Eleven practices into spring, the Huskers’ defensive identity is beginning to take shape. This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about this topic this spring, because Butler has been consistent from the get-go.

“We have a pretty firm two-deep,” Butler said Tuesday. “We have the summer and training camp to really get that thing tightened.”