Nebraska’s 2026 recruiting class didn’t exactly light up the rankings, but the group still has a few freshmen who could force their way into the lineup fast.
The Huskers signed the No. 88 class in the 2026 cycle, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. That class included three four-star prospects - Danny Odem at cornerback, Claude Mpouma at offensive tackle and Dylan Berymon at defensive tackle - along with other freshmen who should help, including Luke Soresen at tight end and Jamal Rule at running back.
When it comes to first-year players with a real shot to start games in 2026, three names stand out.
Danny Odem is the most obvious one. The cornerback spot across from Andrew Marshall is wide open, and while Jeremiah Charles and Victor Evans are in the mix, Odem arrives with a reputation that should get attention right away.
He was maybe the best man-to-man corner in the 2027 class and comes from Florida, so the adjustment should not be a problem. Bryson Webber is another name in that room, but Odem should be starting games before the season is over.
He might even be the best option for handling Jeremiah Smith.
Jamal Rule also has a path. He is not the highest-rated recruit in the 2027 class, but he may have the clearest chance to earn snaps and possibly starts.
Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee are likely ahead of him in the running back order, yet even CBS has labeled Rule a breakout candidate. At 6-foot and 215 pounds, he was extremely productive in North Carolina, and now he’ll be running behind what should be the best offensive line of the Rhule era.
Even if he doesn’t crack the starting group, he should be part of the offense this season.
Claude Mpouma feels like the long-term answer at left tackle. At 6-foot-5 and 338 pounds, he looks like Nebraska’s future starter there.
Elijah Pritchett is set to open the season at left tackle and has more than 20 starts over the last two years, plus some NFL buzz. But offensive lines rarely stay intact all year, and injuries or performance issues tend to create openings.
Tree Babalade is expected to start at right tackle, and that spot matters as much as any on the field. If Babalade struggles or gets hurt, Mpouma could get his chance.
He’ll need time, but the buzz around him is real, and it’s not hard to see him getting on the field in 2026.
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