Key Huskers: No. 7 Cameron Meredith
As the dog days of summer continue, HuskerOnline.com is introducing a new series breaking down Nebraska's top-15 players on the roster heading into 2011.
In today's installment of "Key Huskers," we take a look at junior defensive end Cameron Meredith and where he stands entering the start of fall camp.
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Meredith's strengths
When you think of defensive end Cameron Meredith the best word that comes to mind when describing his play is "motor."
Meredith brings a very strong motor off the edge for Nebraska and he plays the run as well as anybody on the defensive line.
What he still needs to prove
The Big Ten Conference will present some new challenges for Meredith. The league is considered the best offensive line conference in the country, so Meredith will be facing off against NFL caliber talent at tackle almost every week.
Meredith also needs to prove he's in shape and healthy coming off the shoulder surgery he had that kept him out for spring ball. Meredith played a majority of the 2011 season with a bad shoulder and didn't have it surgically repaired until after the bowl game.
Most memorable play or moment
A couple of games really stand out for Meredith when describing his overall body of work last season. In NU's 31-17 win over Missouri Meredith was used in a "spinner" role off the edge and he constantly was in the face of Tiger quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
This was a big moment last season, as the win over Mizzou gave NU a signature victory to hang their hat on after losing to Texas the week before.
In Nebraska's overtime win at Iowa State Meredith also finished 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and ½ a quarterback sack.
2011 outlook
With Pierre Allen gone, Nebraska is going to really lean on Meredith to lead the way at defensive end in 2011. As a sophomore Meredith was a second team All-Big 12 selection and he should once again contend for all-league honors this year.
The only question remains how Meredith will come back off his shoulder surgery and how he took care of his body over the off-season.