MJ Sherman explains how he approaches reps against Jeff Sims

MJ Sherman and Jeff Sims were two of the high-profile transfer portal additions at Nebraska under new head coach Matt Rhule. They came from rival schools — Sherman from Georgia and Sims from Georgia Tech — but although the programs play each other every year, the duo was never on the field at the same time.

That changed during spring practice, and Sherman got an up-close look at Sims’ skillset.

Sherman detailed what makes Sims so challenging to go up against, and his presence in the pocket puts that much more pressure on the defense to bring a strong rush. But if the rush isn’t run as planned, Sims recognizes it.

That’s why he helped Sherman improve his game throughout the spring.

“As a pass rusher going against Jeff Sims, you have to be really, really delicate in how you rush,” Sherman said. “If you rush past the quarterback, he’s going to make you pay every single time. If you don’t have a balanced rush, he’s going to make you pay every single time. Basically, all I’ve got to say, he makes me better.”

Although Sherman might have had a hard time getting to Sims, the message is important. Sims appeared to win the quarterback competition as last year’s starter, Casey Thompson, entered the portal. He arrived in Lincoln after throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns during his career at Georgia Tech, including 1,115 yards and five touchdowns in seven games last year.

Sims’ addition also increased the level of talent he brought to the roster, and Sherman said that’s important not only for when the regular season starts, but as Nebraska gets ready for camp. He’ll have an impact beyond the quarterback room.

“Iron sharpens iron,” Sherman said. “That’s our mentality here. It’s just two hammers going at each other right now. I think Jeff Sims has a great future here, has a great future within the offense. I believe that he can take us to a lot of places that we want to go to. We’re just developing each other each way we go.”

With Thompson in the portal, Nebraska will come out with a completely revamped offense from last year. With Sims under center and new offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield calling the shots, the Cornhuskers are turning the page after ranking 10th in total offense and 11th in scoring offense in the Big Ten last year.