The 50 Huskers to Know returns for the 2011 spring season! We count down the players you absolutely have to watch heading into spring football, culminating with No. 1 during NU's spring break.

The spring list, remember, is about players who are currently in the program, with an emphasis on redshirt freshmen and sophomores who might not have played much yet; in the fall, you'll see a list with more projected starters and incoming contributing recruits.

Not included on this list is wide receiver Khiry Cooper, who spends the spring with the Husker baseball team.

No. 33 Linebacker Alonzo Whaley

Best known for his big fourth-down stop early in the South Dakota State game, this 6-1, 225-pound junior remains one of the Huskers' best pure run stoppers in a goal line situation. He'll continue to play a role there and on special teams. Whether he develops into an every-down linebacker to challenge LaVonte David, Sean Fisher and Will Compton remains to be seen.

Whaley sometimes guesses wrong on run fits, or he doesn't take blocks very well, and that's part of why he didn't start after the 2010 season opener vs. Western Kentucky. But in the hole, he knows how to stone and push back a ballcarrier. Whaley is good depth and solid goalline muscle.

See all 50 Huskers![/b No. 50, No. 49, No. 48, No. 47, No. 46, No. 45, No. 44, No. 43, No. 42, No. 41, No. 40, No. 39, No. 38, No. 37, No. 36, No. 35, No. 34

Permanent Link to this Blog Post