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LINCOLN — Senior defensive end Josh Williams is no longer with the Nebraska football program after he violated team rules, coach Bo Pelini said.

Williams, from Denton, Texas, served in a reserve role for most of his career, though his playing time increased significantly toward the end of last season.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound lineman had 15 total tackles and a tackle for loss as a junior in 2011. He also blocked a kick.

Pelini did not indicate Wednesday what specific team rule Williams broke.

Pelini names Els recruiting coordinator

Pelini announced Wednesday that linebackers coach Ross Els will be Nebraska's new recruiting coordinator, a position held by John Papuchis during 2011.

Papuchis was promoted to the defensive coordinator position in December. Pelini said before the Capital One Bowl that he planned to find another coach on staff to lead the program's recruiting efforts, but didn't announce the decision.

Els is the guy, Pelini said Wednesday. Why?

"Experience," Pelini said. "(I) thought it was the right choice."

Els will also oversee Nebraska's special teams units, a role that Papuchis held for the past three seasons.

Heard could move to cornerback

Sophomore I-back Braylon Heard could switch to cornerback by the time spring practice starts. Pelini said Heard and the NU coaches are still contemplating the move.

Heard, injured for part of his true freshman season, ran 25 times for 114 yards in 2011. He did play some defensive back in high school.

"We don't move somebody without them feeling real comfortable with it," Pelini said. "Braylon's a guy that could play multiple positions."

LeRoy Alexander and Alonzo Moore, two recruits who signed with NU on Wednesday, will start their Husker careers at cornerback. Same goes for junior college transfer Mohammed Seisay.

But it's certainly possible there will be some position changes in the secondary, Pelini said. Seisay and Moore both could play safety.

"We're a little bit different than a lot of people in the defensive backfield," Pelini said. "We recruit defensive backs, and then we figure out where they fit."

NU saving scholarship for Charles Jackson

Pelini said there will be a scholarship available for cornerback Charles Jackson, a 2011 signee who's still working to meet the NCAA's initial eligibility standards.

Jackson is a 5-foot-11, 180-pounder from Collins High School in Klein, Texas. In a similar fashion to Heard, who needed a full year to complete academic-related requirements but eventually joined the team last summer, Jackson remains on Nebraska's radar.

"We'll cross that road when it comes," Pelini said.

Bits and pieces

»New defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski did have a late recruiting impact after getting hired in December, Pelini said. And it wasn't just with signee Aaron Curry, who Kaczenski had been trying to lure while at Iowa. "He has a good way with the kids," Pelini said. "He's a good recruiter."

»Pelini confirmed that senior walk-on Justin Jackson, from Roca, Neb., has moved to center. Jackson switched to the offensive line last offseason but contributed some at defensive tackle in 2011 because of injuries.

»Pelini said he's encouraged about the young offensive linemen in the program. "We're pretty deep on the line," he said. "If we can just stay healthy, there's great potential."

— Jon Nyatawa

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