In today’s college football landscape, the transfer portal is the name of the game. Programs across the country - Nebraska included - are using it to plug holes and reload quickly.
But while the portal can patch things up in the short term, long-term success still hinges on something far more traditional: developing homegrown talent. And that’s exactly where Matt Rhule and his staff are putting in the work.
Nebraska’s recruiting classes under Rhule have been solid - consistently ranked well by the major services - but turning potential into production, especially in the Big Ten trenches, is a different challenge. Recent NFL Combine invite numbers suggest the Huskers still have work to do when it comes to converting talent into pro-ready players.
That said, there’s a crop of young names already on campus who could be the next to break through. Let’s take a closer look at who might be ready to step up.
Offense
Grant Brix - Offensive Line (6-6, 315)
Brix was one of Nebraska’s biggest recruiting wins in recent memory.
A four-star lineman out of the 2024 class, he was ranked No. 218 nationally and chose the Huskers over heavyweights like Alabama and Oklahoma. That’s no small feat.
What makes Brix stand out is how well he moves for a guy his size - elite footwork, fluid hips, and a natural feel for leverage. The next step?
Turning all that raw talent into game-day impact. A shift inside to guard could fast-track his development, and if he cracks the two-deep this season, it’ll be a strong sign that he’s trending in the right direction.
Game reps are the final piece of the puzzle.
Cortez Mills Jr. - Wide Receiver (6-0, 185)
Mills Jr. arrives in Lincoln as one of the most productive receivers in the state of Florida - not exactly a low bar.
Ranked No. 210 nationally in the 2025 class and No. 16 in Florida, he brings speed, polish, and a playmaking pedigree. The challenge?
Nebraska’s receiver room is already stocked with returning names like Barney, Gilmer, and Hunter. That means Mills Jr. may have to wait his turn.
But in college football, opportunities come fast - injuries, rotations, and hot hands can shuffle the depth chart in a hurry. If Nebraska wants to stop relying on one-year portal rentals at receiver, it starts by developing players like Mills Jr. into reliable, long-term contributors.
Eric Ingwerson - Tight End (6-7, 255)
Ingwerson might be one of the more intriguing sleepers on the roster.
A three-star prospect and the No. 14 player in Nebraska’s 2024 class, he steps into a tight end room that’s wide open after Heinrich Haarberg’s departure and Mac Markway’s move to the defensive side. At 6-7, Ingwerson offers a massive catch radius and a red-zone target Nebraska has been missing.
With quarterback Anthony Colandrea’s ability to extend plays, there should be chances over the middle and down the seams. Ingwerson wasn’t the most hyped recruit in his class, but don’t be surprised if he outperforms his ranking and becomes a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
Defense
Christian Jones - Linebacker (6-2, 235)
Jones is the kind of in-state recruit you build around.
A four-star prospect ranked No. 157 nationally in the 2025 class, he was the top player in Nebraska and a huge get for Rhule’s staff. Linebacker in the Big Ten isn’t for the faint of heart - it’s a position that demands both physicality and smarts.
After a redshirt year to adjust to the speed and strength of the college game, Jones is in a much better spot to compete for real snaps. Middle linebacker is the engine of any defense, and having a homegrown leader from Omaha Westside brings both talent and local pride to the heart of the unit.
Tyson Terry - Defensive Line (6-2, 310)
If you’re looking for toughness, look no further than Tyson Terry.
A four-star recruit and the No. 3 player in Nebraska’s 2025 class, Terry is a four-time state heavyweight wrestling champ - and that includes a title won on a torn ACL. That’s grit you can’t coach.
He’s already drawing comparisons to Nash Hutmacher, and for good reason. Nebraska’s defensive interior wore down late last season, and that can’t happen again.
Terry has the size and leverage to be a difference-maker, but after missing last year due to surgery, all eyes will be on him this spring. It’s his first real shot to show he’s ready to anchor the front.
David Hoffken - Defensive Line (6-7, 285)
Hoffken is a wild card, and that’s what makes him so interesting.
The German import has played for the Cologne Crocodiles and Kiel Baltic Hurricanes - not exactly traditional college football pipelines, but don’t let that fool you. He’s a physical specimen with raw tools that pop on tape.
At 6-7, 285, he’s built like an NFL edge rusher and moves far better than most guys his size. With new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich implementing a four-man front, Hoffken’s ability to get after the quarterback becomes even more valuable.
The question is whether he can hold up against the run on early downs or if he’s more of a situational pass rusher. If his technique catches up to his frame, he could be a real asset in the rotation.
The Bigger Picture
In the portal era, it’s easy for young players to get overshadowed by headline-grabbing transfers. But if Nebraska wants to build something sustainable - something that lasts beyond a single season - it has to develop its own talent. That means getting more out of its recruiting classes, faster.
The Huskers have brought in promising pieces. Now it’s about turning those pieces into Big Ten contributors. If even a few of these young players take that next step, Nebraska won’t just be filling gaps - it’ll be laying the foundation for something bigger.