Nebraska LB Lavonte David bulks up for Big Ten

CHICAGO - Lavonte David speaks with a soft voice but his play carries quite the wallop.

David, a senior linebacker at Nebraska, set the Cornhuskers' single-season record for tackles last year. He was a consensus All-American last year and listed among the Big Ten's 12 players to watch at last week's Big Ten Media Days event.

"In my opinion, he's the best linebacker in the nation," Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead said. "I'll say it right now: he's unbelievable. He's unbelievably fast for his position. He makes great reads. He gets around blocks unbelievably. He's just all-around a great player."

David was unknown to many entering the 2010 season. He played two seasons at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and was recruited by several Big 12 schools before choosing Nebraska. He began the season stacked behind Will Compton and Sean Fisher but when both were injured, David moved into the starting lineup.

David had six sacks along with his 152 tackles. He had double-digit tackles in eight games last year, including 19 against South Dakota State and 17 against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.

But those numbers may change for David this year. Nebraska's transition from the Big 12 to the Big Ten has forced David to increase his body mass and strength. David weighed around 215 pounds last year and often was the only linebacker on the field against many of the Big 12's spread offenses. He has bulked up to 225 pounds to anticipate the Big Ten's pounding offenses, like Nebraska's first two opponents in Wisconsin and Ohio State.

"I think the difference is it's going to be more less complicated," David said. "In the Big 12 you have one linebacker on the field. You have to worry about different things. You have to worry about every gap on the field. In the Big Ten, I think it's one guy protects one gap. One guy, one assignment. I think it's going to be more less complicated for us. It's going to be a read-and-react type deal."

David said many Big 12 opponents like Missouri ran out of wider splits than most Big Ten schools. Last year he didn't have to engage interior blockers as much as he anticipates he will against his new opponents.

"I'm taking on more guards, tackles, tight ends, all of that," David said. "I'm just looking forward to it. The physical style of play is going to be very exciting. Just to get a chance to show all of the attributes that you have, just getting off blocks, fighting off blocks and still making tackles is going to be big."

Even at 225 pounds, David is listed as one of the league's lightest starting middle linebackers. But Burkhead said David shouldn't have a problem establishing a physical presence in the Big Ten.

"He brings a blow for not being the biggest linebacker in the world," Burkhead said. "He's very intelligent; he's a very smart kid. He doesn't get tricked by many things. He's got great mind. 

"He sees things happen before they happen. He has a low center of gravity. He gets under your pads, whether you're a big offensive lineman or a running back. He seems to have that leverage."

Nebraska opens Big Ten play Oct. 1 in a night game at Wisconsin. The red atmosphere 80,000-plus fans at Camp Randall Stadium mirrors that of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium, something that excites David as the Cornhuskers prepare for their inaugural Big Ten season.

"Everybody says it's going to be an exciting game," David said. "I'm just looking forward to it, feed off their crowd and just get ready to play some great football.

"I heard this conference - and from what I've seen as well watching games like  on TV - it should be hard-fought football. We have a lot of great opponents, we have a lot of respect for people. It should be exciting."