Nebraska’s second week of fall camp is almost in the books, and Saturday’s closed scrimmage should help sharpen the picture for the Ohio game. With parents not even allowed in, the Huskers are set to get a more serious look at some of the battles still hanging in the balance.
A few spots still feel wide open, especially running back, cornerback, linebacker, safety, and defensive line. The offensive line, though, doesn’t appear to be one of the unsettled groups. Looking at what has stood out so far, three players have clearly helped their stock.
Isaiah Mozee has put himself right in the mix at running back. The position still looks headed for a committee approach, with Mozee, Mekhi Nelson, and Jamal Rule all likely to get work this season.
Rule continues to draw plenty of buzz and could still end up as the starter at some point, but right now Mozee seems to have the edge for Week 1. He’s up to 215 pounds, has focused on running more effectively between the tackles, and already knows the system.
On top of that, he gives Nebraska a threat as a receiver and appears to be ahead of the true freshman in pass protection. The former four-star recruit has fully made the move to running back, and even if he doesn’t open the season as the starter, he looks like someone who will matter a lot on offense.
Victor Evans has also made a strong case for a bigger role. The FIU transfer started nine games last season and got praise from Matt Rhule last week.
He brings real speed, clocking a 40-meter dash in 4.31 seconds, and he’s the only cornerback with starting experience outside of Andrew Marshall and Donovan Jones, who is set to start at nickel. Evans keeps coming up as a player to watch, and while Danny Odem could be hard to keep off the field all year - and Jeremiah Charles is having a strong camp too - Evans has become a dependable corner.
At a position where Nebraska may need four or five capable bodies, that matters.
Tyson Terry might have the most intriguing rise of the group. He missed all of last season because of an injury he suffered in high school, but he has opened this year’s camp looking like a player ready to contribute.
Terry, the undefeated heavyweight state champion and the only person in Nebraska state history to do that, is listed at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds. He looked good this offseason, and that has carried over to the practice field.
Steve Sipple reported hearing that Terry is among the top four defensive tackles with Riley Van Poppel, Owen Stoudmire, and Jashear Whittington.
Because Terry hasn’t played in a game in two years, there will still be an adjustment period. Even so, he seems to have a head start on other young defensive tackles such as Malcolm Simpson, Dylan Berymon, and David Hoffken in the race for a spot in the rotation.
Wrestlers often translate well to the defensive line because hand placement and leverage matter so much, and Terry’s dad being a D-line coach has likely helped, too. Right now, he looks like a player Nebraska could count on to make an impact at some point this season.
In Other News...
Trae Taylors Nebraska Commitment Says A Lot About The Programs Future
Trae Taylors commitment in May 2025 gave Nebraska a boost that stretches well beyond one recruiting win. The five-star quarterback, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 passer in the 2027 class and No. 7 overall, chose the Cornhuskers over other major programs, a notable statement about where the program stands in the national picture. Taylor pointed to head coach Matt Rhules involvement in his recruitment and the fit of Nebraskas offensive scheme, while also making clear he sees the move as a long-term investment in the program and the community.
For Nebraska, the bigger takeaway is what Taylors decision says about the kind of talent the staff can now bring into Lincoln. A quarterback of his caliber does not commit without believing there is a real path forward, and Taylor has already put his name behind the idea that he wants to compete for the starting job as a true freshman. The recruitment is still only one piece of a larger build, but it is the sort of piece that suggests Nebraskas future is starting to look more attractive to elite prospects. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Defense Has Real Buzz But One Big Ten Doubt Remains
There is real optimism around Nebraskas defense heading into the season, and Rob Aurichs arrival as defensive coordinator has given the unit a fresh look and a cleaner sense of direction. Adam Carrikers breakdown points to a staff that appears to be working in sync, with the defensive line, linebacker room and secondary all carrying enough intrigue to make the Huskers a much more interesting watch on that side of the ball.
Still, the Big Ten has a way of turning promising talk into a weekly test, and that is where the unanswered questions begin for Nebraska. The philosophy and chemistry are there, but the real issue is whether this group can hold up when the competition gets heavier and the pace of conference play exposes any soft spots in the defense. [Read more 🡒]