Position Preview: Safety

(Photo courtesy of Larry Sellers)

If you ever get the chance to talk to safeties coach, and co-defensive coordinator, Brian Bergstrom, be sure to take advantage of that opportunity.  He is just a great human and incredibly humble.  He loves his group and I think gets a ton of joy from coaching and helping them grow on and off the field.  Bergstrom really likes the culture in the room and credits some of that to guys who graduated the past two years and laid the foundation.  The room is very comfortable helping one another understand assignments, route concepts, and calls and that makes everyone better.  This group has gotten more athletic the past few years and I think that athleticism will stand out as the Jacks move to a more aggressive brand of football. 

#3 Josh Manchigiah, 6-0, 205, can play all over the field.  His background as a cornerback is evident as he has an excellent ability to read routes; which is where he stood out in 2018.  He is becoming more comfortable playing in the box and being psychical.  Manchigiah made another jump in spring ball and will be counted on for his experience and leadership during his junior campaign.

#33 Michael Griffin II, 6-0, 215, is a new face to the lineup but certainly a guy who has a lot of hype surrounding him after seeming to appear weekly as a scout team honoree and during the spring strength and conditioning competitions.  The junior is a transfer from Southwest Minnesota State and Bergstrom credits him for arriving ready to learn and earn the respect of his new teammates.  He is a very good athlete and will bring the big time physical presence that Brandon Snyder provided in 2018. 

#14 Jarek Berg, 6-0, 200, is another junior and he possesses the ability to play both the strong and free safety position.  Bergstrom is really proud of how much Berg has improved since arriving to campus and credits it to his hard work and humble nature.  Berg had an excellent spring and will be in the rotation at both safety positions.

#38 Tyler DeMartra, 6-2, 210, is probably the best athlete of the group.  He is the longest player of the group and has good instincts.  He is still growing in the play book but has really grown up and matured in his two years in Brookings.  DeMartra's combination of size and speed could be a huge tool on the special teams coverage units in 2019 and in certain coverage schemes.

#29 Lance Eide, 5-8, 185, is a senior now and is being counted on for his special team play, leadership and work ethic in 2019.  Lance may be one of the smallest guys on the team but he makes sure he understands his role and assignment and does it to perfection.  He could certainly carve out a niche in the secondary because of his assignment-sure nature.

#28 Tylen Small, 6-0, 190, is a sophomore now and needs to have a big fall camp.  Tylen loves football but needs to buy in to what the coaches are asking him to do.  If he has a good fall camp, he could earn a spot on special teams.

Bailey Darnell and Chase Norblade are two standout #NebraskaJacks who will push to see the field.  Both have a great combination of size and speed.  Both earned PWO offers from Nebraska and Darnell turned down an FBS offer from Wyoming to become a Jackrabbit. Darnell is a little bigger, physical and has really good instincts for a true freshman.  Norblade is lean and rangy but has really good athleticism and instincts.  I wouldn't be surprised if both played in four games and possibly more in 2019.

Go Jacks!
Matt