Sports

Murillo, Castille Highlight Depth Chart Changes

Cody Glenn not listed due to injury, Grixby adds kickoff returns to his long resume

by Samuel McKewon

August 28, 2007

DN File Photo

Expect to see a large dose of Marlon Lucky against Nevada.

Surprise, surprise. And surprise.

Must be the first depth chart after fall camp.

Nebraska released its two-deep version on Tuesday as it prepares for Saturday's game against Nevada.

There weren't any jaw-droppers, but it did confirm some developments that were hinted at by NU Head Coach Bill Callahan during the last three weeks:

- Junior Armando Murillo will start ahead of senior Andre Jones at cornerback.

A talented junior college transfer, Murillo struggled at times during spring football with his transition to a Division I program. Callahan said Murillo's work ethic over the summer - both in unsupervised "7-on-7" drills and film work - put him in position for a terrific fall camp.

"The amount of time he's put into it has really paid off," Callahan said. "He's more detailed. He's more focused…he sees the field a lot better than when he first got here."

For now, Murillo will start opposite senior Cortney Grixby. Senior captain Zack Bowman is expected to assume one of those starting roles when he completely recovers from his second knee injury in a year.

"He looks like he has the confidence to come out and make the cuts at full speed," Grixby said of Bowman.

Earlier this year, Statepaper listed the cornerbacks as a major key to success.

-Junior running back Cody Glenn, who said last week he'd be ready for the Nevada game, is not listed on the depth chart because of lingering injuries.

Junior Marlon Lucky is the clear starter. The No. 2 back is freshman Quentin Castille; No. 3 is freshman Roy Helu. Sophomore and converted safety Major Culbert is listed fourth.

"We're just going to take a look at him and we'll see where he's at in terms of his preparation," Callahan said of Glenn.

Callahan said he was unsure just how much time Castille or Helu would see, although he called any rep they get against the Wolfpack "invaluable."

Translation: Expect a lot of Lucky.

DN File Photo

Senior cornerback Cortney Grixby might just the busiest Husker of them all. Not only will he start on defense, he's slated to return kickoffs and punts, too.

"We've really tried to expand his role and his skills to the point where we try to feature him in the packages we have," Callahan said.

-Jones and Grixby are listed as the top kickoff returners.

Tierre Green, who returned kicks for the last two seasons, is not among the seven players listed. Freshman receiver Niles Paul is, however, along with senior receivers Terrence Nunn and Frantz Hardy, Lucky, and sophomore safety Ricky Thenarse.

Grixby is again the top punt returner.

-True freshman Blake Lawrence is listed as a backup at strongside linebacker. Lawrence said earlier during fall camp he did not plan to redshirt.

"He's everything we thought he'd be," Callahan said. "He's smart, he's tough, he's dependable in a lot of ways. For a young freshman to come in and adapt to this style of defense, he's outstanding."

-Senior Lance Brandenburgh is listed as a co-starter at both strongside and weakside linebacker.

Brandenbergh tallied 41 tackles last year. He started in the A and will spell Steve Octavien and Bo Ruud this season.

"He's just as good as all of those guys," Callahan said. "As he's a fella who will see a lot of playing time. We have the ability to utilize him in a lot of different ways."

-The kicking competition between freshmen Adi Kunalic and Alex Henery is open until Friday. All that's been settled is that Kunalic will handle kickoffs.

"We'll make a decision as we go into the game," Callahan said.

Naturally, Callahan played down the importance of the depth chart, not only because it can change, but because it has changed, pretty frequently in the last two seasons because of injury or performance.

Todd Peterson went from a scout team player to the team's most versatile receiver in 2006.

Brandon Jackson moved up three spots at running back last year.

And senior Brett Byford went from warming Kurt Mann's seat at center until Mann returned from an illness to a captain this season.

"It changes on a daily basis," Callahan said. "It can change relative going into a game. It can change next week, it can change tomorrow, it can change by Friday."