Top 40 Huskers for 2017: 21-25

Voting Criteria: Player's importance to the team in 2017, talent and potential for the upcoming season. A player's long term/NFL potential was not taken into consideration.

Voting Panel: Publisher Sean Callahan, HuskerOnline.com staff Robin Washut, Nate Clouse, Gregg Peterson, and HOL interns Matt Reynoldson and David Eickholt.

Luke Gifford is another linebacker who has thrived since the introduction of Nebraska's new 3-4 defensive scheme.

He's still technically listed behind Marcus Newby at the field outside linebacker position, but Gifford played so well this spring that the competition will be tighter than ever entering fall camp.

Gifford was one of the stars of the Spring Game, as he hauled in a one-handed interception and also forced a fumble. Originally recruited as a safety, Gifford's ability in pass coverage at 6-3, 235, makes him a valuable asset for NU's defense.

Part of the heralded "Davis Twins" duo along with his brother Carlos, Khalil Davis made his Nebraska debut last season as a reserve defensive tackle and saw action in 12 games.

Like many others on the defense, though, NU's move to the 3-4 could open up a major window for Davis to take on a much bigger role in 2017.

Currently listed as the No. 2 nose tackle behind Mick Stoltenberg, Davis also has the ability to move outside to end if needed. Given the Huskers' relative lack of proven depth across the defensive line, Davis could see plenty of action this year.

Tyjon Lindsey hasn't even participated in an official college practice yet, but when you arrive with the type of acclaim as he has, the excitement is understandable.

Nebraska's 2017 recruiting class landed its biggest piece of all when the four-star Lindsey, ranked the No. 9 wide receiver in the country, flipped his commitment from Ohio State to the Huskers.

Word from summer workouts is that there is definitely substance to the hype surrounding the 5-9 native of Corona, Calif., so it may only be a matter of time before that train gets rolling even more when fall camp comes.

The time is now for David Knevel, who has always possessed the size (6-9, 315) and physical tools to be a top-flight offensive tackle.

However, due to injuries and other factors, Knevel has never been able to cement himself as one of the permanent bookends on Nebraska's offensive line.

With Cole Conrad, who replace Knevel at right tackle early last year, moving inside to center, the job is once again Knevel's to lose in 2017. The question is can he finally make the most of the opportunity?

A former walk-on from Fremont, Neb., Cole Conrad elevated himself to the No. 2 right tackle behind David Knevel to start his sophomore season last year.

After Knevel went down with an injury, Conrad eventually took over the starting job and started the final five games of 2016.

What makes him so valuable is his versatility, as despite his strong play at tackle, Conrad was moved inside to center in the spring, and now many think he's the frontrunner for the No. 1 center spot this season.

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