Positional competition is underway with the Nebraska Cornhuskers heading into week two of fall camp, preparing for the start of the 2026 college football season. An intriguing development throughout the offseason and in the spring has been the defensive backs. With a new-look defensive scheme in the 4-2-5, defensive coordinator Rob Aurich has said he wants the five best defensive backs on the field at all times. Now, this could be something that is subjective and could change even throughout the season. However, that has driven up the competition level in the defensive back room, especially at cornerback. After practice Monday, secondary coach Addison Williams had a few things to say about the competition at cornerback. — Huskers Radio Network (@HuskersRadio) August 10, 2026Competition Was High in the Spring and That Has Translated into Fall CampWilliams seemed very pleased with what he has seen so far throughout the first week of fall camp, with all players getting a fair shot in different mixes of groups during different drills. "I think those guys did a really good job over the course of the summer coming back and picking up where they left off during the spring," he said. "It's really tough to see who's going in each group. I spend 20 to 30 minutes everyday trying to make sure mixing the groups so everyone gets a fair shot because they are doing a great job."There is a fair share of talent in the cornerback room, especially with lone returning starter senior Andrew Marshall. Outside of Marshall, other players who could push for serious playing time could be FIU senior transfer Victor Evans III, former five-star true freshman Danny Odem III, junior Jeremiah Charles and sophomore Donovan Jones. It's going to be tough to lock down three true starters with all of that talent and it will be an intriguing battle throughout fall camp and even into the first couple weeks of the season. Andrew Marshall Has Stepped into a Leadership RoleNebraska defensive back Andrew Marshall before the Huskers' 2025 game vs. Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City | Kenny Larabee, KLINThe former Idaho transfer from a year ago is the lone starter returning and has now stepped into a leadership role.Williams said that it was something that he challenged Marshall with during the bowl game and when they returned to campus and it's something that Marshall has done well with. "He's been the voice in that room," Williams said. "He's had all of the guys meeting with him and has taken the role and ran with it."The next step for Marshall now is to become someone that could be playing on Sundays and that is something that Williams has challenge him on. "(Marshall) always had the physical tools, with the speed, ball skills and change of direction," he said. "Something I have challenged Andrew on is getting his body right... That's where he's grown the most."Marshall is expected to do great things for the Huskers in 2026 as the No. 1 guy in the cornerback room. Freshman Danny Odem III has Exceeded Williams ExpectationsDefensive back Danny Odem III | Nebraska AthleticsFormer five-star and true freshman Danny Odem III has been one of the most interesting players to watch during fall camp and is going to be a tough player to keep off the field for the Huskers. Williams said that Odem has all of the skills and looks like one of the guys who has been on the team for a while and has exceeded expectations. "Danny physically looks like one of the guys that have been here once he got here, but the biggest things he needed to do was learn," he said. "He's a physical guy, so, he's gotten stronger. He's exceeded my own expectations from a standpoint of the knowledge of the defense." Williams also said that he's been pushing Odem like one of the guys who has been here. That is a good sign for the freshman that could be pushing for playing time and will be a fun player to watch the rest of fall camp. Victor Evans III Brings More Veteran Experience to the Cornerback Room a lot, Quietly After three seasons at FIU, Victor Evans III is now at Nebraska. | @v.evansiii/InstagramThe Huskers worked a lot in the Transfer Portal over the offseason and one of those guys who has seemed to work out so far is senior cornerback Victor Evans III from FIU. Williams said that Evans is quieter but has played a lot of college football and is becoming someone that the younger guys can lean on and learn from. "He's a quiet guys but he's a veteran... he's been in a lot of different situations," he said. "He's a guy that you don't have to tell him nothing more than once." Williams also said that he's been really impressed with Evans from that standpoint and he can expect him to be where he needs to be on the field more often than not. Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing toHuskerMax on YouTube and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow