Nebraska’s first depth chart of the season is out, and the biggest takeaway is that plenty of spots are still being sorted out as the Huskers head into Saturday’s opener against Ohio.
Monday morning’s release gave the first clear look at how Nebraska is lining up for game week, and it answered a few of the key questions that hung over the start of the season: who gets the first crack at running back, how the secondary is stacked, and how a deep group of returners fits along the defensive line.
At quarterback, Anthony Colandrea is listed first.
The running back picture is more fluid. Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee and Jamal Rule are all listed in an “OR” grouping at No. 1, with Kwinten Ives sitting behind them at No. 4.
Nebraska’s wide receiver spots show a mix of established names and challengers. Nyziah Hunter is first at one receiver spot, with Quinn Clark behind him.
Kwazi Gilmer opens as the top option at another spot, followed by Cortez Mills Jr. Jacory Barney Jr. is listed first at the third receiver position, with Keelan Smith or Demitrius Bell behind him.
Tight end is led by Luke Lindenmeyer, while Janiran Bonner, Carter Nelson and Eric Ingwerson are grouped together behind him.
Up front, the offensive line lists Elijah Pritchett at left tackle, Paul Mubenga at left guard, Justin Evans at center, Brendan Black at right guard and Gunnar Gottula at right tackle. Preston Taumua, Hayden Ainsworth, Tyler Knaak, Sam Sledge, Gibson Pyle, Tree Babalade and others are listed behind them in various backup spots.
On defense, Cameron Lenhardt is first at defensive end, with Williams Nwaneri and Jeremiah Jones behind him. At defensive tackle, Owen Soutdmire opens at one spot with Riley Van Poppel and David Hoffken next, while Jahsear Whittington is first at the other tackle spot with Tyson Terry or Sua Lefotu behind him.
Linebacker has a little uncertainty built in as well. Vincent Shavers Jr. or Dexter Foster are listed first at one spot, with Derek Wacker third. Owen Chanbliss is first at the other linebacker spot, followed by Dawson Merritt.
The defensive backfield features several “OR” battles. Andrew Marshall is first at cornerback, with Danny Odem III and Braylen Prude behind him.
At safety, Dwayne McDougle III or Rex Guthrie are listed first, with Caleb Benning third. Jamir Conn is first at the other safety spot, followed by Justyn Rhett.
On the other side at cornerback, Victor Evans III or Jeremiah Charles are first, with Larry Tarver Jr. third. Donovan Jones leads at nickel, with Mario Buford or Blye Hill behind him.
Special teams also has a few spots still open. Kyle Cunanan or John Hohl are listed first at kicker, Archie Wilson is first at punter with Kamdyn Koch behind him, Koch is the holder, and Jack Wills is first at longsnapper with Kyson Gana listed second.
In Other News...
Matt Rhule Just Set The Standard For Nebraska Year 4
Matt Rhule is heading into his fourth season at Nebraska with the kind of perspective that usually comes only after a full rebuild has been lived through, not simply talked about. The comparison to Fred Hoibergs fourth year on the basketball side is hard to miss, especially with both coaches taking over programs that needed major repair and then being asked to steady them in front of a restless fan base.
Troy Dannen has already made clear how difficult the football job looked when Rhule arrived, describing the program as fairly well broken, and Rhule has acknowledged the weight that comes with that reality. He has also pointed to Hoibergs perseverance as something he respects and can draw from, while making it clear the next step for his team is to finish better in late-season games and turn the rebuild into something that lasts. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas Season Opener Puts Immediate Pressure On A New-Look Backfield
Nebraskas backfield will be one of the first real tests of the 2026 season, and the opener against Ohio arrives with both programs trying to reload on the ground. The Huskers have to move on from All-American Emmett Johnson, while Ohio is also reshaping its rushing attack after losing Sieh Bangura and the ground production Parker Navarro brought at quarterback. It is the kind of early matchup that can say plenty about how quickly a team has plugged a major roster hole.
For Nebraska, the intrigue is in who actually carries the load. Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee and true freshman Jamal Rule are the leading options, but none has entered college as a featured running back, which makes the first few weeks especially important. Ohio has more continuity with Duncan Brune back after meaningful playing time last season and UConn transfer Victor Rosa in the mix, so the Huskers new-look group may have to grow up fast if they want to keep pace in a game that could hinge on which backfield settles first. [Read more 🡒]
Luke Lindenmeyer Is Pushing For A Bigger Final Husker Role
Luke Lindenmeyer is heading into his final season at Nebraska with a clear sense of purpose, and it starts with the little things. The senior tight end has been working on his stiff-arm technique while also building chemistry with quarterback Anthony Colandrea, part of a larger push to make himself more useful in a Huskers offense that wants to become more explosive. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has challenged the tight ends to raise their level, and Lindenmeyer has taken that as a cue to sharpen his game rather than settle into a familiar role.
For Nebraska, the interest goes beyond one player adding polish to his skill set. Lindenmeyer is trying to do more than just fill snaps in his last run through the program, aiming instead to bring leadership and a steadier presence to a group that needs it. If that work translates, the Huskers could get more from the tight end position at a time when every bit of offensive growth matters, and Lindenmeyer's final season might end up carrying a larger imprint than expected. [Read more 🡒]