Nebraska football: 3 players primed for a breakthrough season in 2021

Deontai Williams can make an impact on the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ defense

Unfortunately for Scott Frost, Nebraska’s defense hasn’t been much to write home about over the past few seasons. Could this season be the year that the Huskers’ defensive woes disappear? If so, it’ll be because guys like Deontai Williams step up and have a breakthrough season.

Unlike the other guys on this list, Williams has been with Nebraska for a few seasons now after starting his career at  Jones County Junior College in Mississippi. Now, this year, Williams is set to have a chance to really step forward in Eric Chinander’s defense.

So far in his career, Williams has played in 21 games for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

In 2018, he played in 12 games, making a total of 23 tackles and grabbing a couple of interceptions. He’s also credited with half a tackle for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery from that season.

Williams was only able to play in one game in 2019, but he returned to action in 2020 and had a pretty big season for the Huskers. Williams was the third-leading tackler on the Nebraska football team in 2020, following behind JoJo Domann and Will Honas with 51 tackles. Williams recorded four tackles for loss, including a sack.

Now, in 2021, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will need Williams’ experience as they try to turn their program back into a winner. The Huskers weren’t able to do much the past couple of seasons and last year, the Huskers’ mediocre defense was one reason as to why they went 3-5.