NU already prepping for future at cornerback with Kalu, Jones
Nebraska still has to face off with UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl before the 2015 season is officially put to bed, but that doesn't mean the Huskers aren't already getting a few sneak peeks at what's to come in 2016.
One position in particular that has been getting a jump on next season is cornerback, as sophomores Joshua Kalu and Chris Jones have further solidified themselves as the two starters with the No. 1 defense since the beginning of bowl practices, in part due to the absences of two veterans in the unit.
Senior Jonathan Rose was dismissed from the program for a violation of team rules, and fellow senior Daniel Davie has yet to practice with the Huskers since the end of the regular season because he's "been finishing up quite a bit of school work", according to defensive coordinator Mark Banker.
As a result, Nebraska's secondary has already started to settle in with most likely its top cornerbacks for next year already in place.
"I feel that Kalu and I ... both of us have potential to go to the NFL," Jones said. "Me and Kalu, we've just got that bond. We talk to each other every day, play games every day chilling, it's just fun. Being able to play alongside of him with him, knowing he's on the other side, I have a lot of confidence in Kalu and I know he has a lot of confidence in me."
The entire 2015 campaign has been a learning process for all of NU's defense, but particularly the defensive backs. Because Banker's scheme is essentially a polar opposite to the coverage responsibilities in the previous system, the Husker DBs struggled mightily much of the year, ranking as one of the worst pass defenses in all of Division I.
However, the unit steadily improved down the stretch, putting together some of its best performances of the season in wins over Michigan State, Rutgers and Iowa. Banker said a big reason for that was the continued growth of Kalu, who has started every game this season, and Jones, who made all six of his starts in Big Ten Conference play.
Kalu, ranks second on the team with 67 tackles to go along with two interceptions (one for a touchdown) and six pass breakups. Jones has 23 tackles, four pass breakups, and hauled in his first-career interception against Rutgers.
"I think for (Kalu) it's just been overall emotional maturity and taking himself more seriously," Banker said. "I know he and I had a pretty frank discussion - in fact, it was before the Wisconsin game - we sat down for about an hour right up until curfew just sharing some thoughts. Because I think the world of him. He's got a ton of ability, he's got the perfect physique for that position with the length and all that… He's matured emotionally and physically in playing the position. He's improved a ton.
"Chris Jones, it was just a matter of confidence with him. The more he's played, the more confident he's become. He's extremely athletic and physically gifted."
Confidence is one of the key attributes for any cornerback, but especially for two young players being thrust into starting roles like Kalu and Jones. The duo has already made major strides in developing the attitudes necessary to be top-level college football corners, and their head start to close out this season should boost that swagger to even greater heights going into 2016.
"I just feel confident," Jones said. "Every time I step out there and make a play, I just feel like, 'Yeah, I can do this.' I've just got to keep it going. Somebody catches the ball, I just get down on myself and give myself 10 push-ups. I don't want anybody catching the ball on me. Coach (Brian Stewart) says you've got to take pride in that.
"I just feel that when I'm on the field I just don't see any receiver that will beat me. I'm not trying to sound cocky, I just believe in myself."