When Joshua Kalu moved to safety, it gave Nebraska's Lamar Jackson the chance to start at cornerback. Now with Chris Jones' injury, Jackson will be the most experienced player at his position as a sophomore.
Last year, the California native impressed in the season opener by tallying six tackles. But Jackson didn't reemerge until the Music City Bowl, when he made his first collegiate start and had a team-high eight tackles.
Now that the Huskers will need to rely heavily on him, the former four star recruit feels like he's much more prepared for the challenge.
"As of like day to day work, going to work type thing, my mindset is totally different," Jackson said after Tuesday's practice. "Last year there was times that if I didn't feel like practicing. I would just go out there and go through the motions. That's not an option this year, I make sure each day I'm setting the bar."
Although Donte Williams is in his first full year as NU cornerbacks coach, he too has noticed a difference in Jackson.
"Lamar has already showed a big jump, not in just his play, his play is never really the problem. The biggest thing for him is maturity," said Williams. "He got a little bit of humble pie as a true freshman and I think he's coming off of that and his confidence and everything is growing."
