Myles Farmer shares impressions of Tony White

Nebraska is installing the 3-3-5 defense under new coordinator Tony White this offseason. And defensive back Myles Farmer feels like White is giving the defensive players all the information they need to learn the defense.

White learned the 3-3-5 from Rocky Long, the long-serving head coach who popularized the scheme (and replaced White at Syracuse this offseason). As such, White is adept at conveying what he wants from his players, Farmer said. Then it’s just up to the players to absorb and apply the information.

He knows how to explain it, it’s our job to go in there and learn it and be able to take the coaching. So that’s all I try to do, I try to take as much coaching as I can and apply what I know to what he’s telling me,” Farmer said.

The Cornhuskers ranked 100th nationally in total defense in 2022, giving up 414.4 yards per game. Meanwhile, White lead the 21st ranked defense in 2022 while serving as the Syracuse defensive coordinator.

With a better crop of talent at his disposal in Lincoln, the 3-3-5 can be even more potent, attacking offenses from unorthodox places with wicked blitzes from linebackers and defensive backs.

And head coach Matt Rhule is putting a premium on players locking down the playbook.

“I think it’s individual to each guy. It takes what it takes,” Rhule said. “One of the most dangerous things is when guys just kind of know what to do. So they can kind of do it. You can’t figure out how to do your job until you know what your job is. So we have a lot of guys still at that level one trying to learn what it is.”

“We can make excuses for them but we’re trying to change the expectation level of our guys,” said Rhule. “We’re not here to try hard, we’re not here to lose and thank the fans. We’re here to win. And winning happens now. It doesn’t happen in the fall. So the guys who know their jobs really well?…You are what you produce. I just want the guys to own the way (they) practice, the way (you) prepare, and own the result.”

And from his position at the front of the defensive meeting room, White can sense that his players are intent on hitting the books and learning their new system.

“Things are going well. You know, it’s all about the enthusiasm and the energy of those guys, the willingness to learn and to adapt to the change that’s happening,” White said during a press conference the other day. “Not only x’s and o’s-wise, but just an overall mentality. And those those young men have been running around doing all the things that’s been asked. So it’s been good so far.”