10 Huskers to Watch Closely as Nebraska Preps for Bowl Clash with Utah
LAS VEGAS - For the second straight season, Nebraska football is headed to a bowl game, and that means more than just one final game on the schedule - it’s a developmental runway. With nearly two months of practice under their belt, the Huskers have had a valuable opportunity to get young talent up to speed, sharpen depth, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the program’s future.
Bowl season, especially in its current form, is as much about tomorrow as it is about today. Veterans lead the way, but the spotlight often shifts toward the underclassmen and rising contributors who are looking to make a statement heading into the offseason.
As Nebraska gears up for its showdown with Utah, here are 10 players worth keeping a close eye on in Vegas.
1. TJ Lateef - Quarterback
Let’s start with the most obvious name on the list. TJ Lateef has essentially been in audition mode all month. With a full slate of practices and the quarterback room in flux, this bowl game is his chance to make an impression.
Lateef is still working back from a hamstring injury suffered in the Iowa game, which limited Nebraska’s QB run game that day. The staff has been cautious with him during bowl prep, but he’s trending toward being ready for Utah. With a new-look backfield and a month to get healthy, how Nebraska builds the game plan around Lateef will be telling.
This performance won’t necessarily lock in his future as QB1 - the portal is still very much in play - but a strong showing could give him a head start heading into spring.
2. Riley Van Poppel - Defensive Line
Expectations were high for Van Poppel entering the season, but things didn’t quite click the way many had hoped. Still, bowl practices have brought a renewed energy, and Van Poppel has earned a blackshirt heading into the Utah game - a sign the staff sees growth.
Head coach Matt Rhule has taken a hands-on approach with the defensive tackles during this stretch, and Van Poppel has benefited from that extra attention. With Utah boasting a solid interior offensive line, this will be a measuring stick moment for the young lineman.
3. Justyn Rhett - Cornerback
A slow burn of a season for the Georgia transfer could be heating up at just the right time. Rhett, a Las Vegas native, has seen his role expand late in the year, with a noticeable uptick in snaps over the final two regular-season games.
With changes looming in the secondary this offseason, Rhett’s emergence could be timely. He’s approaching this bowl game with a starter’s mentality - and that’s exactly how Nebraska seems to be treating him.
4. Carter Nelson - Tight End
This bowl prep period has functioned like a pseudo spring camp for Nelson. After missing winter conditioning, spring ball, and most of the summer due to a hip injury, he’s finally getting a full runway to develop.
Nelson’s in-game action has been limited, but he showed up in late-season matchups against Penn State and Iowa. With a month of uninterrupted reps, the former top recruit might be ready to take on a more meaningful role in the bowl game.
5. Isaiah Mozee - Running Back
With Emmett Johnson shifting focus to the NFL, it’s Mozee’s time to shine. The freshman has been waiting in the wings, and now he’s in line for a potential start.
Nebraska is expected to explore the portal for a veteran back, but this game gives Mozee a chance to show that the future might already be on campus. Utah’s defense has been vulnerable on the ground, so the opportunity is there for Mozee to make his mark.
6. Mekhi Nelson - Running Back
Right there alongside Mozee is Mekhi Nelson. The two are listed as co-starters on the pre-bowl depth chart, and both are looking to prove they can be part of the post-Emmett Johnson equation.
Mekhi has logged 59 offensive snaps this season, but this bowl game should offer his most extended action yet. With the staff evaluating whether they need to bring in a back from the portal, Nelson’s performance could shape that decision.
7. Dylan Rogers - Linebacker
Rogers was thrown into the fire late in the season, especially in the win over UCLA, and held up well. He played 79 snaps over the final three games and now finds himself in line for even more work with Dasan McCullough unavailable.
JACK linebacker Willis McGahee is eligible to play while preserving his redshirt, but Rogers has been steady and reliable. A strong outing against Utah could vault him into a more prominent role heading into 2026.
8. Kade Pietrzak - Defensive Line
Pietrzak is one of those rare true freshmen who didn’t enroll early but still carved out a role. He played in all 12 games and logged 246 snaps - impressive considering he missed spring ball.
Bowl practices have been critical for his development, especially with Nebraska shifting toward more four-man fronts under new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich. Pietrzak has the motor and skillset to thrive in that setup, and this game will be another step in that evolution.
9. Cortez Mills - Wide Receiver
Mills looked like a breakout candidate early in the year, but depth at wide receiver and protection issues up front limited his chances. Still, he managed nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown - and there’s a sense that more is coming.
After a full month of practice, Mills could be primed for a bigger role in the bowl game. With several receivers returning next season, he’ll need to show he belongs in the mix.
10. Williams Nwaneri - Defensive End
Sometimes you can tell how important a player is by who’s coaching them. During open practice in Las Vegas, head coach Matt Rhule spent a lot of time working directly with Nwaneri - that’s not nothing.
The former five-star transfer from Missouri saw his role grow steadily this season, and he looks the part of an NFL-caliber edge rusher. With Utah missing its top offensive tackles, Nwaneri has a golden opportunity to put a stamp on his 2025 season and build serious momentum heading into next year.
Final Thought
Bowl games are always a bit of a balancing act - honoring the seniors while building for what's next. For Nebraska, this matchup with Utah is a chance to do both. The Huskers are trying to take that next step under Matt Rhule, and the players listed above could be the ones to help them get there.
Keep an eye on these names. They may not be household yet, but they’re knocking on the door.