Justin Evans has become one of the clearest signs of Nebraska’s locker-room respect as the Huskers head toward the 2026 season.
Coach Matt Rhule handed out his leadership single-digit jerseys again, and even though offensive linemen can’t wear them on game day, Evans still drew votes from his teammates. Rhule said the senior center got more votes than any offensive lineman he has seen.
Evans said that recognition meant a lot because his teammates knew the situation and still backed him anyway.
“I have so much respect for my teammates,” Evans said. “For them to even know that I can’t wear a single digit and for them to vote for me just means everything to me. I’ll do anything for this team.”
That response fits the arc of Evans’ Nebraska career. He has spent his whole time with the program, and Rhule said his growth as a leader has taken a noticeable jump since the coach arrived in 2023.
“He’s an alpha that cares about everybody,” Rhule said. “On a lot of teams, you have alphas that walk around and think that they’re better than everybody else, and he’s been through it.”
Evans has also evolved physically and on the field. Since 2023, he has added weight and changed positions.
He played left guard in 2024, then started all 13 games at center last season. The East Orange, N.J., native said his development has gone beyond technique and into how he connects with the people around him.
“Understanding my team and who I’m playing with and getting to know them on another level is the first important step of leadership,” Evans said. “Just knowing who you’re playing for, and who they are playing for that brings us together as a team.”
He said offensive line coach Geep Wade has been a major part of that progress this offseason, but Evans also knows the job is not finished.
“He’s still pushing me to be a vocal guy on the team and encouraging guys on and off the field,” Evans said. “More so on the field, just keeping guys going when we may get into those lulls in the game, and just keeping a positive voice for the guys in the room.”
Nebraska’s offensive line is shaping up around Evans, with two transfers projected to start in senior right guard Brendan Black and senior left guard Paul Mubenga. Fifth-year left tackle Elijah Pritchett and senior right tackle Gunnar Gottula are also in place under Wade, who is in his first season at Nebraska. Senior tackle Tree Babalade is projected to provide depth after dealing with a preseason injury.
Evans said the group has already started to click, even with players arriving from different programs and backgrounds.
“We’ve built a pretty cohesive unit, playing as one with guys coming in from different conferences and playing for different coaches,” Evans said. “They’ve came in and embraced the process with us. It’s been a great couple of months getting to know those guys and just helping them understand the process of how we do things here at Nebraska.”
For Evans, that process includes a standard the Huskers expect to carry forward after their 2025 bowl game appearance. He said the roster’s experience and returning production give this team a chance to build on that foundation.
As Nebraska finishes its prep for Ohio, Evans will keep doing what has defined his rise: leading with what he knows, learning from the players around him, and helping the room stay connected.
“You have guys who played in the Big 12 or the ACC and the SEC,” Evans said. “Just learning from them how I can take my game to the next level, just based on places they have been, and them also learning what the Big Ten is like and me teaching them. It’s just a big family in the o-line room.”
The Huskers host Ohio at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on FS1 and the Huskers Radio Network.
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