Nebraska Fall Camp Preview for 2024: Defensive Back
Head Coach Matt Rhule is entering his second fall camp as Nebraska’s leader. Each position group has changed, whether it’s slightly or dramatically. The HuskerOnline team looks at what to expect from the Huskers with our position-by-position fall camp previews.
Next up in our annual Nebraska fall camp preview are the defensive backs, a group with a lot of uncertainty but two big-time returners.
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What we know right now: Safeties look strong, but there is only one sure spot
Nebraska has a solid, experienced safety group, but senior Isaac Gifford is the only surefire starter. But he is the only obvious choice in what could be a tight starting safety race.
Gifford is NU’s returning leading tackler. He recorded 86 tackles, 30 more than his closest teammate. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has played in every game since the 2020 season. His experience, leadership, and reliability are critical for the entire defense.
Malcolm Hartzog, Marques Buford and DeShon Singleton are the other three top options at safety. All three have experience, but two are returning from injuries, and Hartzog might be needed as cornerback.
Singleton started the first five games of 2023 but suffered a season-ending injury against Michigan. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior did well in his first games starting for the Huskers. He sat out this spring while recovering from a knee injury. How he returns from a significant injury is unknown.
An injury also limited Buford’s time in 2023. He tore his ACL in the last game of the 2022 season and redshirted last season. In the last four games of the season, Buford had 18 tackles. Freshman Rex Guthrie could also be in the conversation this fall camp.
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Outside of Gifford, NU has good options but needs the veterans to step up and reach their potential.
Key returning stats and numbers from 2023:
| Player | 2023 Snaps |
|---|---|
| Isaac Gifford | 692 |
| Malcolm Hartzog | 556 |
| Tommi Hill | 525 |
| Javin Wright* | 353 |
| DeShon Singleton | 245 |
| Marques Buford Jr. | 151 |
| Player | TCK | TFL | INT | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Gifford | 86 | 6.5 | 1 | 8 |
| Malcolm Hartzog | 40 | 5.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Tommi Hill | 26 | 0.5 | 4 | 9 |
| Javin Wright* | 51 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| DeShon Singleton | 19 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Marques Buford Jr. | 18 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
Biggest Question: Who starts at CB with Tommi Hill?
The cornerback group has one locked-in starter, Tommi Hill. However, an injury to Blye Hill and the addition of former USC DB Ceyair Wright have created more uncertainty at the other CB spot. During the spring, Blye rose to become a projected starter. But a spring game injury derailed that thought for now.
Hill’s return is projected for September, but it’s not set in stone. It’s unknown if he can get back to the condition he was in this spring.
As for Wright, he hasn’t even been in Nebraska for one month. At USC, he played 849 snaps over 20 games. NU added him from the portal while needing a CB, so they must see something within him.
Right now, Hartzog looks to be the best choice. NU prefers him at safety, but he has started 19 games at corner. He’s an older player who can and needs to step up to be a good cornerback for Nebraska.
Sophomore Jeremiah Charles is in the conversation at cornerback, too. Dwight Bootle II and Mario Buford have been mentioned as well.
Projected Fall Camp Depth Camp:
Top S Group:
Isaac Gifford
Marques Buford
Malcolm Hartzog Jr.
DeShon Singleton
Top CB Group:
Tommi Hill
Malcolm Hartzog Jr.
Blye Hill
Ceyair Wright
Jeremiah Charles
