Nebraska Cornhuskers 2026 Season Preview

Colandrea is the centerpiece and a mobile, improvisational passer who fits exactly what Rhule and coordinator Dana Holgorsen covet. At UNLV in 2025 he threw for 3,459 yards, ran for 649 and accounted for 33 touchdowns en route to conference offensive player of the year honors. Unlike his predecessor, he consistently avoids the sack and extends plays, a trait Holgorsen intends to build the scheme around. He grades as a solid mid-round prospect rather than an elite one. Behind him, sophomore TJ Lateef and returnee Daniel Kaelin give the room three mobile options, so the depth is real.

Nyziah Hunter, a former California transfer, led the team with 617 yards on 43 catches and five touchdowns and profiles as a draftable mid-round target with size on the perimeter. Returning starter Jacory Barney Jr (45 catches, 484 yards, five scores) is a proven second option, and UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer adds another experienced body, with sophomore Quinn Clark carrying breakout potential. At tight end, senior Luke Lindenmeyer is a dependable returning starter (29 catches, 312 yards). This is the deepest, most experienced receiving corps Nebraska has fielded in some time.

The backfield must replace All-American Emmett Johnson, who ran for more than 1,450 yards. Rather than dip into the portal, Nebraska turns to sophomores Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee, who saw limited work behind Johnson, plus returning veteran Kwinten Ives. Freshman Jamal Rule, who starred in the spring game, brings home-run ability. The unit is talented but unproven, and the drop-off from Johnson's production is the offense's clearest question.

Two draftable starters anchor a rebuilt front. Center Justin Evans, a senior with roughly 30 career starts, gives the interior a steady presence, while right tackle Tree Babalade, a big South Carolina transfer, brings 15 starts of SEC experience. Left tackle Elijah Pritchett, an Alabama transfer, returns to protect the blind side, and Nebraska added guards Paul Mubenga from LSU and Brendan Black from Iowa State to push the group's tally of returning and transfer starts well past 100. After surrendering nine sacks at Minnesota and battling injuries all year, the Huskers should be bigger, more agile and healthier, with five starters who are juniors or older.

Aurich's 4-2-5 demands far more pressure from a front that averaged fewer than two sacks per game and ranked 98th against the run in 2025, when six opponents topped 200 rushing yards. The marquee name is edge Williams Nwaneri, a high-ceiling sophomore widely regarded as one of the nation's most promising young pass rushers and primed to emerge as a full-time force. Senior Cameron Lenhardt (5.5 sacks) is the established veteran, and Riley Van Poppel returns inside. The staff leaned on the portal for interior help, with Pitt transfer Jahsear Whittington, an undersized but quick lineman tabbed the top newcomer, set to start alongside edge addition Anthony Jones Jr.

The two off-ball spots got a makeover. Returning starter Vincent Shavers Jr (86 tackles, 10 for loss) is the holdover, flanked by two productive portal pickups. San Diego State's Owen Chambliss arrives after a 141-tackle haul over two seasons, and Oregon State's Dexter Foster, a quick-twitch, explosive runner, adds 95 tackles of production. The group is bigger and faster than a year ago, which the run defense badly needs.

The secondary is the defense's strength, deep and versatile. Nebraska finished third nationally against the pass in 2025 and returns three starters. Cornerback Donovan Jones, a sophomore who logged 11 starts, 64 tackles and an interception, is a rising cover man with real upside. He is joined by veteran corner Andrew Marshall and safety Rex Guthrie, who emerged as a productive tackler. Aurich also imported a starting safety from his old San Diego State group to reinforce the depth.

The kicking game is stable. Kyle Cunanan connected on 16 of 19 field goals, and Australian rugby-style punter Archie Wilson averaged 39.4 yards as a freshman. Former NFL and Nebraska kicker Brett Maher takes over the unit after the previous coordinator left for USC. Jacory Barney handles both return jobs.