By far, the biggest gain for the Huskers for the 2009 season is the decision of star Husker defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to return for his senior year at Nebraska and obtain his degree. Projected to go in the NFL draft in the late 1st or early 2nd round, Suh announced that he would remain a Husker for the 2009 season. Suh thrived in 2008 under the new defensive leadership of head coach Bo Pelini, Def Coordinator Carl Pelini, and position coach John Papuchis. Anyone who followed the Huskers this year could see Suh transforming from a solid defensive lineman to an unstoppable force by the end of the year. Statistically, Suh led the blackshirts in tackles(76), tackles for loss(19) sacks(7) and QB hurries(7). He also intercepted two passes, both of which he returned for touchdowns. Another year of dominance and he will easily be drafted in the top 15 of next years NFL draft.
Suh's return for '09 will anchor the d-line which proved to be the strong point of the Huskers in 2008. The Huskers lose starters Zach Potter and Ty Steinkuhler who both stepped up big time this season. Cushioning the loss of Potter will be the healthy return of DE Barry Turner who missed practically all of the 2008 season with a knee injury. At the other DE position will be Pierre Allen, who had a stellar season replacing Turner. Allen had 5 sacks and 52 tackles, 10 of them behind the line of scrimmage. Replacing Steinkuhler at DT might be his brother Baker Stienkuhler who was one of the most highly coveted players coming out of high school in 2007. Baker redshirted in 2008 and is currently listed as a defensive lineman although he has talent on the offensive side of the line as well. Jared Crick saw a lot of time on the d-line this season as did Terence Moore, who showed some disruption tallying 2 sacks in his limited action. Add redshirt freshman Josh Williams and possible JC recruits to the mix and the Huskers should be a force on the defensive line next year.
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