Terrance Knighton says Nebraska will be relentless on defense

This season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are going to have a new coaching staff. That includes a new defensive line coach in Terrance Knighton who is helping to implement a 3-3-5 system in 2023.

As Knighton explained, Nebraska’s defense is going to be relentless moving forward. That means that guys on the defense need to make sure that their bodies are physically capable of holding up in that defense.

“Because of the way we’re going to play on defense,” Terrance Knighton said. “We’re going to be relentless and guys are going to have to run to the ball no matter where the ball is. We’re going to attack in waves, we’re going to play a lot of guys. So, everyone has to be in shape and playing 100 miles per hour.”

The 3-3-5 defense is designed to put athletes on the field while disguising pressures from an offense. So, it requires a lot of running and aggressiveness from a defense.

“So, we have to train that way. We have to practice that way, and practice is everything. You know what I mean?” Knighton said. “So, everything. The way we’re gonna do things in the game is the way we’re gonna do it in practice. So, those guys are getting themselves ready.”

Linebacker Nick Henrich has enjoyed playing in Nebraska’s new 3-3-5 defense this season. As he explained, it’s allowed him and the rest of the defense to play with great speed.

“Yeah, I love the freedom this defense gives you to go kind of run around and make plays,” Nick Henrich said. “And, yeah, I’d say this defense just really allows you to play fast and that’s going to be an advantage to get athletes on the field and all swarm to the ball.”

Terrance Knighton on what stands out to him while recruiting

More than ever before, it’s easy to scout and recruit players from anywhere in the country. Still, it’s important to recruit in person too. As Terrance Knighton explained, when you go out, there are certain things that stand out.

“We get the numbers, we look at measurements,” Knighton said. “(Rhuleand defensive coordinator Tony White) do a good job of evaling guys, seeing how guys are going to project and how their bodies are going to grow. I’m just trying to pick their brains as much as I can with the eval and seeing guys. Certain natural things that guys do as D lineman stick out to me, but just the overall vision of a guy and how they’ll progress three to four years down the road, I think our staff does a good job doing that.”