2026 Husker Camp Countdown
The World-Herald is counting down the top 50 Nebraska football players you need to know heading into the 2026 season.
(46) updates to this series since Updated
At a position in need of depth and breakout players, Lefotu, entering his fourth college season, could be counted on more this fall.
Hawthorne was once a high-priority recruit for Nebraska in the 2025 class. After a year at Iowa State, Hawthorne found his way to Lincoln, hoping to provide depth in the Huskers’ special teams and linebackers rooms.
Marques Buford was a staple in Nebraska’s secondary over the past two-plus seasons. Now, his younger brother Mario could have his turn to push for a starting spot this fall.
Dawson Merritt is primed for a sophomore breakout season for Nebraska this fall, but will have to recover from another injury to do so.
Dylan Rogers displayed improved pass rush and explosion off the edge last season in his first career start against UCLA. This fall camp, he could be competing for a larger role for Nebraska’s defense.
Tyler Knaak may never crack Nebraska’s offensive line as a full-time starter. However, he is the perfect depth piece for the Huskers as a “break glass in case of emergency” option.
Tyson Terry has been out of football for over a year. Nebraska’s fall camp could be his chance to solidify his spot in the Huskers’ defensive line rotation.
Jeremiah Charles’ first shot at a starting spot on Nebraska’s defensive didn’t go as he planned. This fall camp, he could get a second chance.
Caleb Benning had his breakout game in Nebraska’s Las Vegas Bowl loss to Utah at the end of last season. He could carry that momentum to compete for a starting spot on the Blackshirts during fall camp.
Willis McGahee briefly entered his name into the transfer portal this winter. He opted to remain a Husker and could be a factor in new coordinator Rob Aurich’s defense.
He's the latest defensive back Nebraska has plucked from the FCS ranks, joining Andrew Marshall and Jamir Conn from the 2025 transfer class.
The Ainsworth product is an elite athlete whose production hasn't popped quite yet, but could emerge in 2026 if he's fully recovered from surgery.
Odem joins Nebraska as the Huskers’ highest rated prospect in the 2026 recruiting class; 247 ranks him as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 19 overall player in the country.
This NU safety had a then-career-high four tackles against Iowa, then made his first career start in the Las Vegas Bowl. Against Utah, he logged six tackles.
In a limited role as a freshman, the receiver flashed the speed and athleticism that made him a four-star prospect out of high school.
The QB gave the Huskers a dual threat they didn’t have with Dylan Raiola and peaked with a nearly flawless game at UCLA, NU’s last win of the season.
The Cal transfer beat out John Hohl and Tristan Alvano for the kicking job last year and helped bring stability to a unit that lacked it in 2024.
After a solid first month of the 2025 season, this safety made his first career start against Michigan State as his role expanded during Big Ten play.
Wilson became a popular camp story last year as an Australia native who could kick with both feet and had never played a game of American football. One interview moment — when emotions overtook him as he spoke about missing his family — made international newscasts.
Nobody came away with more spring buzz than Rule, the former three-star prospect from North Carolina who enrolled early at Nebraska.
Black is new to Nebraska but not college football. He accumulated 30 career starts and 2,164 offensive snaps across three seasons at Iowa State.
A year-two jump for Mozee is possible — perhaps likely — as a role switch takes hold at a position of opportunity.
If Nebraska’s defensive line is to scrap better in the Big Ten trenches this season, one of its newest and oldest members will likely play a part.
Exactly where Jones settles in the Nebraska secondary will remain a question at least into training camp. What’s clear is his role as a surefire starter.
The third-year pass catcher was among the most popular spring breakout names from his peers and put his ability on display in the Red-White scrimmage with a one-handed touchdown grab.
The conversation of whether Nebraska’s linebacker rotation will be effectively deep begins with Foster, whose ceiling is as high as any Husker at the position.
A freshman year that went better than expected sets up an encore for more from one of Nebraska’s best young players.
Conn arrived out of the portal 18 months ago overlooked in Nebraska’s transfer class. Now he could become a multiyear starter in the secondary.
Lenhardt had the most productive season of his college career last fall. In his final year, Lenhardt will need to be a leader in Nebraska’s revamped defensive line room.
Bonner’s 2025 season ended with a torn ACL in Nebraska’s opening game against Cincinnati. This fall, he could be the Swiss Army knife Dana Holgorsen’s offense was missing.
Nelson was expected to compete for Nebraska’s starting running back position in fall camp. However, an offseason arrest leaves his status going forward into question.
Shavers has started 14 games across his two seasons with the Huskers. He faces some stiff competition to retain his spot this fall camp.
Van Poppel underwhelmed in his first full season on the field for the Huskers. Nebraska will need to see a big jump from him in the defensive line room this fall camp.
Right tackle was a revolving door for Nebraska in 2025 with Gunnar Gottula, Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka each starting games. The Huskers brought in Babalade from the SEC ranks to be a stalwart there this fall.
Nebraska needed to add more physicality to its defensive line. It believes it found some in the form of Whittington out of the transfer portal.
Nwaneri didn't fully live up to his five-star billing in his first year with the Huskers. Nebraska hopes new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich can unlock his full potential this fall.
Nebraska hired Rob Aurich away from San Diego State to be its new defensive coordinator. Dwayne McDougle followed him from the west coast to be an on-field leader for the Blackshirts this fall.
Lindenmeyer established himself as a reliable receiver last season in his first shot as Nebraska’s starting tight end. In 2026, he will look to build on that production in a more spread out offensive system.
Nebraska’s most experienced journeyman player ever has one season to make an impact in Lincoln.
The best is likely still ahead for Mubenga, a trench enforcer whose past SEC track record is already pretty good.
If Nebraska rediscovers the deep ball as a regular threat from its offense this season, this speedster from Los Angeles will be a reason why.
One of Nebraska’s best transfer surprises a year ago is now a known commodity who will be a focal point of the offense.
One of Nebraska’s resident playmakers will again look to profoundly impact two phases of football games.
Chambliss will be a leader in the middle of Nebraska’s 4-2-5 scheme, an off-the-ball, sideline-to-sideline athlete who can blitz well and runs like a safety.
The quiet stalwart has taken a command position within the Husker operation. A multi-year starter who now ranks as a legitimate candidate for the Rimington Trophy, Evans opted to stay at Nebraska this offseason despite the firing of his close mentor, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola.
Stop the run, stop the run, stop the run. Right? Well, when Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Indiana’s Charlie Becker and Oregon’s Dakorien Moore appear on the schedule, you’d better have a cornerback who can match up with those guys.
Nebraska football unveiled redesigned uniforms at its "Red Sea Rising" announcement Saturday with new-look numbers and pants.
The "voice of the Huskers" for six seasons of football and men's basketball, Warren Swain, has died. He was 79.
With Emmett Johnson now a Kansas City Chief, Nebraska’s running back hierarchy is unsettled. The starting job is up for grabs a year later.
If Lincoln Southeast graduate is healthy by the fall, he’ll compete with returner Elijah Pritchett and South Carolina transfer Tree Babalade for playing time.
Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson was arrested Monday in Florida on an alleged felony aggravated battery charge, according to reports.
While Nebraska needs Anthony Colandrea to avoid big mistakes, writes Sam McKewon, his penchant for big plays can help the Huskers win a "toxic" category.
The Big Ten's nonconference slate has never been worse, writes Sam McKewon, with Indiana and Nebraska scraping the barrel.
One year after plenty of Nebraska talk at Big 12 Media Days, UCF coach Scott Frost detailed why his year-two Knights could take off and what he's still learning.
College football season is getting closer. Here is the schedule for Big Ten media days Tuesday through Thursday in Chicago.
As he heads to Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, Matt Rhule's gift of gab is out ahead of Nebraska's on-field performance, Tom Shatel writes — but that can change.
Curt Cignetti strikes a unique tone, which the media is getting a kick out of at Big Ten Media Days, says Sam McKewon. Winners aren’t strange — they’re quirky.
Dana Holgorsen has done an “admirable” job calling plays, coach Matt Rhule said at Big Ten Media Days, but has “an itch” to call the game he wants in 2026.
NU tight end Luke Lindenmeyer had praise for two of Nebraska’s young tight ends, including Ainsworth product Carter Nelson.
Nebraska enters training camp with an older, healthier roster as several key veterans return from injuries. Matt Rhule offered positive updates on Janiran Bonner, Gunnar Gottula, Rex Guthrie and others.
Nebraska freshman Jeremiah Jones is making a position switch from receiver to pass rusher after finding success on defense. Matt Rhule believes the four-star prospect can develop into a strong defender.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule explained the decision behind adding former Penn State running back Tikey Hayes, saying the Huskers stayed prepared amid uncertainty. Hayes adds depth to that position group.
Apathy hasn't hit Nebraska football fans yet, writes Tom Shatel, but a faithful Husker nation is hungry for major success — and increasingly skeptical it's coming.
