Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh underwent surgery on his knee Friday.

The exact nature of the surgery wasn’t immediately known, but Suh is expected to miss spring practice. However, Suh should be full-go for the start of preseason camp in August.

Suh started 11 of 12 games last season and made 34 tackles, including six for losses, with one sack.

In 2006, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound  junior made 19 tackles, including eight for losses, with 31/2 sacks. He is among four returning starters on the Huskers’ defensive line.

The news of Suh’s surgery comes just days after sophomore cornerback Anthony Blue tore his ACL during a seven-on-seven passing drill as part of winter conditioning. Blue will also miss spring ball, although doctors remained optimistic he could be back in time for preseason practice.

* WHO’S THE NEXT G.A.?: It’s expected that Nebraska coach Bo Pelini will soon name Ross Watson as a graduate assistant, replacing Jon Osterhout, who recently took a job as a defensive line coach with Sacramento State.

Watson, 24, was briefly an assistant coach at Mount Union College, a proud football school in Alliance, Ohio, that has won nine Division III national championships since 1993. Watson was a three-year starter at cornerback for Mount Union, accumulating nine interceptions and All-American status his senior year.

* HOMECOMING FOR MOORE: Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore, a former Husker assistant (1973-78), will be a guest speaker during the annual NU football spring coaches’ clinic April 3-5 at Memorial Stadium.

Moore has led Appalachian State to three straight national Division I-AA crowns. Tom Osborne and Pelini also will speak.

On one of the days, the six high school coaches whose teams won 2007 Nebraska state championships will be featured.

Guest speakers in recent years included Dick Vermeil, Jon Gruden and Sean Payton.

For more information, contact the Nebraska football office at (402) 472-3116.

Reach Brian Christopherson at bchristopherson@journalstar.com or  473-7439.