Kade Pietrzak didn’t need long to get noticed at Nebraska.
He arrived on campus just last summer and, by the end of his first season, he had already carved out a real role. That kind of early climb is why he lands at No. 23 on our Most Indispensable Huskers list, especially with Nebraska still searching for more depth and more bite off the edge in 2026.
Pietrzak played 278 snaps as a true freshman, a sign he was ahead of schedule from the start. He finished with 17 tackles, including seven for loss and two sacks, and both of those totals ranked third on the team.
He also made an immediate impact in the most eye-catching way possible: a safety against Akron within his first 10 snaps as a Husker. A couple weeks later, he nearly had another against Michigan.
There were still freshman moments in the mix, which showed up in his 29.2 tackling grade by Pro Football Focus. But the raw production and the workload tell the story of a player Nebraska trusted quickly.
“I knew coming in here, Coach said there would be an opportunity if I worked my butt off, and gave it everything I've got and I think I did that," Pietrzak said. "I think I earned the opportunity to be part of this team and play next to these guys.”
Matt Rhule has also pointed to the West Fargo, N.D., native as someone who could fit best in Rob Aurich’s 4-2-5 defense. That matters because Nebraska needs the edge group to keep rising, and Pietrzak is no longer just a promising newcomer. He’s part of the next wave that has to produce right alongside veterans Anthony Jones and Cameron Lenhardt, with Williams Nwaneri in that same conversation too.
The bigger issue for Nebraska’s front is not just talent. It’s finish.
The Huskers didn’t get enough steady pressure a year ago and averaged 1.69 sacks per game, which left them 100th. That’s the bar Pietrzak and the rest of the group have to clear. If Nebraska can get to 22 sacks in 2025, fans would love to see that number climb to 30 or more this season.
That kind of jump would fit the way Pietrzak talks about his game. He’s not shy about the motor that got him here, and he doesn’t plan to back off it now.
“I love the game, and I think I'd be doing myself a disservice if I didn't play with that motor," Pietrzak said last fall. "When I was being recruited, that was one of the things they said they liked and I'm going to keep playing with that motor and I think it's necessary to play great football.”
Nebraska’s staff sees the same thing, but the next step is turning effort into cleaner, more consistent disruption. Defensive analysts Dave Tollefson, speaking on the 'Let it Fly Show,' described the challenge of the new setup and where the growth has to happen.
"The 3-3-5, you're really relying on the athletes behind the D-line to make plays, right?" Husker defensive analysts Dave Tollefson said on the 'Let it Fly Show' of the adjustment.
"I've never been in a system like that. It's very unfamiliar to me.
If we were a 3-3-5 defense I don't know if I could help this team with how I think about defensive play. We have the guys, though.
Now it's about getting them comfortable playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage."
That’s where Pietrzak’s rise becomes so important. Nebraska needs him to keep climbing, keep finishing, and keep turning that motor into production.
If he does, he won’t just stay on this list. He could wind up near the top of it.
In Other News...
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A future trip to Eugene already looked like a tough sell for Nebraska, and ESPNs latest survey only sharpened that concern. Eli Lederman and Max Olson polled more than 20 front-office staff members to identify the top returning defenders in college football for 2026, and Oregon came away with two names near the top of the list in defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington and defensive back Brandon Finney Jr.
For the Cornhuskers, the timing matters as much as the talent. Washington brings the kind of disruptive force that can wreck a game plan from the interior, while Finney has earned national respect for his coverage work and ability to challenge targets. With both expected to anchor an already imposing Oregon defense, Nebraskas 2026 matchup in Eugene looks even less forgiving than it did before the rankings were released. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Is Suddenly In The Mix For A Massive Future Lineman
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Turner came away speaking highly of the staff, especially offensive line coach Geep Wade, and that matters in a recruitment where relationships can carry as much weight as rankings. There is still a long way to go before anything becomes final, and the window for Nebraska to keep building on this early momentum will be measured in years rather than months, but landing in the mix this soon is a notable start for the Huskers. [Read more 🡒]
Why Archie Wilson And Jack Wills Matter So Much For Nebraska
Special teams has become a real point of emphasis for Nebraska heading into 2026, and the attention starts with punter Archie Wilson and long snapper Jack Wills. Wilson finished his first season with a 39.4-yard average and did a good job limiting returns, while Wills arrives after playing all 12 games at Michigan State and is expected to bring more stability to a spot that can quietly swing field position all season long.
The Huskers know there is room to climb in net punting, and that makes the pairing even more important as they try to tighten every part of the operation. New special teams coordinator Brett Maher has already talked about Wilsons unusual style and the challenge of giving him freedom while still keeping a dependable option in place, and Nebraska has also added freshman Kyson Gana to compete at long snapper as the group takes shape for the seasons ahead. [Read more 🡒]