Huskers’ depth gives football team options, spurs competitiveness

Listening to players and coaches in the week leading up to the Western Kentucky game, it appears there's something they really want you to know: This year's squad is deep.

A few examples:

Carl Pelini, on the defensive line: "I feel great about where we are up front, and probably I'll sleep a little better this year."

Bo Pelini, on the offensive line: "We feel like our depth at (offensive) tackle is pretty good right now."

Jared Crick, on the defensive line: "I love our depth. We're three deep at every position, and guys can come in and contribute effectively."

Bo Pelini, on the safeties: "I think we have, once again, a number of guys who can play."

It's not just lip service. This team has the depth necessary to withstand inconsistent play and injuries, which is critical considering the misfortune that has befallen several Cornhuskers in fall camp.

Mike Smith broke his leg, but Jermarcus Hardrick and Jeremiah Sirles are available to step in for the offensive lineman. Sean Fisher too suffered a broken leg, but NU already had a logjam at the linebacker position with Will Compton, Eric Martin, Lavonte David and Alonzo Whaley eager for the opportunity. Anthony Blue is down for the year with another knee injury, but NU is so deep at corner that former corners Dejon Gomes, Anthony West and Eric Hagg have been switched to other positions to get them on the field.

"When somebody goes down or gets hurt, and something like that happens, you have to rally around him and rally around each other to make sure you step up and fill the void," Pelini said. "I've seen guys make the effort to do that."

Carl Pelini said the added depth has come from the new staff's recruiting classes maturing and stepping in to take positions that fit the system better.

"We've been able to put together three good recruiting classes, classes that we're very pleased with in terms of fitting our scheme and the type of kid we want," he said. "Shame on us if we didn't have better depth."

The depth doesn't just give the Huskers injury insurance. It keeps players constantly looking over their shoulders, knowing that if they're not on top of their game on every play, there's another player lurking to take their spot.

"It just creates great competition, and I know all coaches talk about it, but it does," Carl Pelini said. "Every day, guys are fighting for playing time now, where that wasn't the case the first year.

We didn't have a lot of depth. There's always the potential there that they come complacent when there's no quality people pushing them from behind."

Those daily challenges have led the team to work harder on the practice field and in the weight room, Pelini said. Now, it's time for the Huskers to prove that when one guy leaves the field, there's a hungry, capable replacement waiting.

"We have so much depth," Pierre Allen said. "We've never had depth like this before since I've been here."

Danhoppen@dailynebraskan.com