Some guys stayed, some guys went, and some guys even came back.  It was a crazy recruiting year for Nebraska, but when it was all said and done, I think defensively, they did just fine.  Of course, the top of the defensive class goes to none other than Baker Steinkuhler, the state of Nebraska’s first 5 star rated player.

 Baker Steinkuhler

1. Baker Steinkuhler- (6′6″/290/4.88) The cream of the crop, and arguably the best prospect ever to come out the state of Nebraska.  Dominated both sides of the ball in high school, and during the Army All American game, showed why he is considered the best lineman in the country.  Watching him on film, I would put him on defense but, Baker might be able to make millions more on offense.  Hard working, unselfish, and leads by example.  You couldn’t ask for a better Husker.
2. Cameron Meredith- (6′4″/230/4.6)  Many analysts like another DE in this spot, but with his size, speed, motor, and combine that with playing some of the best talent in the country in California, this guy could easily be a SLB while we let him grow into his frame.  As a senior he tallied 92 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 2 FF and one fumble recovery all while missing 4 games.  Committed to the old staff, but never wavered and stuck to his word.
3. Will Compton-(6′2″/215/4.5)  When others from the state of Missouri were dropping out of this class, Compton showed some by not pulling his verbal.  He got to know the new staff and the “Will Compton Future Blackshirt” tattoo by Ekler was priceless and instrumental in re-landing this talented prospect.  A hard hitting linebacker with some speed, Compton will be able to take in as much as he wants, as early as he wants. 
4. Alfonzo Dennard-(5′10″/185/4.4)  Dennard, a CB from Georgia, was once committed to North Carolina.  After the two parted ways, Marvin Sanders convinced Dennard to commit to UNL after checking out the Huskers on the internet.  Dennard is Courtney Grixby with size and more speed.  His leaping ability is the best in this class and he could be a dangerous receiver or return man.  A lock down and physical corner, look for early playing time.
5. John Levorson-(6′4″/185/4.55)  Anyone who followed Nebraska high school football knows this name very well.  Levorson played QB and safety for Crete and amassed well over 4,000 yards the past two seasons on offense.  On defense he was a hard hitter with excellent center field vision.  Candidate for a red-shirt.
6. David Whitmore-(6′2”/190/4.5)  Whitmore, from Port Arthur, TX, was committed to NU since April of 2007.  Whitmore never wavered in his pledge to be a Husker.  Whitmore has the size and ability to come in as a true freshman and contribute right away.  Has good vision and break on the ball in the air.  Three or four years with Sanders and he’ll be playing on Sundays.
7. Josh Williams- (6′4″/220/4.8)  A relentless pass rusher that shows a quick burst of speed out of his stance.  Williams might be used the way Barry Turner was his Freshman year.
8. Mason Wald- (5′11″/195/4.6)  Mason is one of my favorites in the whole class.  Two months ago, Mason only held an offer from Samford College in Alabama.  Since his family was handling all his recruiting, tapes were late to get sent out.  Lucky for him, NU was looking at offering his teammate, Justin Rodgers.  Mason is a seriously hard hitting safety.  Think Mike Brown!  This kid must have held the record for most kids knocked out of a game as hard as he hits.  More impressive are the angles he takes on some of these tackles.  Sometimes you think there is no way he is making that play and out of nowhere, he does. 
9. P.J. Smith-(6′2″/205/4.65)  Another hard hitting safety prospect that Bo Pelini familiarized himself with while at LSU.  P.J. Smith played on a championship football team last year in Louisiana where he was known for his competitiveness and hard hitting ways. 
10. Courtney Osborne- (6′2″/170/4.5)  Video of Courtney is just downright vicious at times.  Courtney takes good angles and tackles well, something this defense can use right away.  Is a safety prospect, but with his length and athleticism, could play in a nickel package as well.
11. Alonzo Whaley-(6′/215/4.55)  An underrated LB prospect out of Texas, Whaley was overshadowed by his younger brother, Chris, a talented RB.  A sure tackler who will fly to the ball may be used similar to the way Demario Williams was.
12. Sean Fisher- (6′5″/210/4.6)  Talented 2 way standout at arguably the best football developing high school in Millard North.  Very athletic and deceptively quick.  A sure tackler, who will benefit from a red shirt.  Very lean at 210 lbs, Fisher could develop into a SLB with 30-40 lbs of added weight.
13. Justin Rogers-(5′11″/180/4.4) Rogers ran for over 4000 yards, as a teammate of Mason Wald, for Vestevia High in Birmingham, AL the past 2 seasons.  Rogers is very very quick and has expressed his desire to play CB at the college level.  A gifted athlete, Rogers might be best suited to red-shirt, if not needed on offense.
14. Quentin Toailoa-(6′5″/275/5.2)  Quentin was Bo Pelini’s first verbal commit after taking the helm of the Husker ship.  Quentin is a big guy, probably more in the 300-315 range than his listed 275lbs.  Toailoa is able to stop the run by shedding his blocks easily ,  and with NU’s middle being questionable last year, is also looking at some early playing time.
15. Micah Kreikemeier-(6′4″/215/4.8)  It is easy to see why Tom Osborne offered Micah a scholarship after watching his film.  Micah is relentless in his pursuit to the ball and will take out whoever is in his way while getting to the point of attack.  A smart player, who can contribute early and often via special teams, Kreikemeier is the epitome of the Husker athlete of the past.  Live, breathe and die for Nebraska.  Micah has the frame to be a Jay Moore sized rush end, or a Stewart Bradley linebacker, either way, I am sure he will turn out to be a good one down the road for the Huskers.