Nebraska football might not be getting a lot of love on those pre-season All-American lists, but there's one Cornhusker who's caught the eye of a seasoned analyst. Phil Steele, a long-time college football guru, sees something special in Jacory Barney, pegging him as one of the top punt returners in the game. If Steele's on the money, Barney could be set to light up Memorial Stadium in 2026.
Steele's approach is a bit unique compared to other publications. He doesn't just stick to the usual suspects; he expands his pre-season All-American teams to include four sets of special teamers. This is where Barney steps into the spotlight, standing tall as Nebraska's sole representative.
Barney, a Nebraska wide receiver, is expected to have a breakout season catching passes from Anthony Colandrea. But it's his explosive potential on special teams that's turning heads.
Before 2026 even kicked off, Barney had already shown flashes of brilliance. Steele seems to think Barney is ready to elevate his game, naming him to the Fourth-Team as a punt returner.
In Steele's eyes, Barney ranks as the fourth-best punt returner nationwide, trailing only Texas' Ryan Niblett, South Carolina's Vicari Swain, and Wake Forest's Carlos Hernandez. It's clear that Steele believes Barney's impact on special teams might just outshine his receiving capabilities. It's worth noting that Barney was no slouch in returning kickoffs in 2025, either.
While Barney might be the lone Phil Steele pre-season All-American pick for Nebraska, that doesn't mean he won't be a force on offense. In his debut year with the Huskers, Barney snagged 55 receptions for 447 yards. On special teams, he returned 3 punts and 14 kickoffs, amassing a total of 298 yards.
Last season, Barney upped his game with 45 catches for 484 yards and 5 touchdowns. His punt return stats were equally impressive, with 22 returns for 270 yards, including a long of 57 yards. He also returned 13 kicks for 275 yards.
Nebraska's special teams face a big question mark heading into 2026. With the departure of much-lauded coordinator Mike Ekeler to USC after just a year with Matt Rhule, the Huskers are in a bit of a transitional phase. Ekeler had sparked a noticeable turnaround, especially in the kicking game.
Now, the spotlight shifts to new co-special teams coordinators Brett Maher and Nick Humphrey. Their ability to harness Barney's talent as one of the nation's top punt returners could be crucial. If Barney can deliver, it would mark a significant stride forward as Nebraska looks to make tangible improvements in Matt Rhule's fourth season at the helm.
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