Nebraska’s latest batch of single-digit jerseys comes with one clear twist: for the first time since Matt Rhule started handing them out, the list is entirely made up of new honorees.
That’s the headline from Nebraska’s preseason reveal ahead of its season-opening game against Ohio. The Blackshirts remain the older Huskers tradition, dating back to Charlie McBride’s time as defensive coordinator, while the single-digit jersey practice is Rhule’s own way of recognizing team leaders. This year’s group is larger than in previous seasons and, in another notable change, the No. 9 is still available.
The Huskers will open the season with 13 players wearing single digits, up from the previous high of 10. Rhule’s group for 2026 includes players on both sides of the ball, and several numbers were split between an offensive player and a defensive player.
Here’s the full list:
0 - Owen Chambliss - LB
1 - Nyziah Hunter- WR
1 - Jahsear Whittington - DT
2 - Jacory Barney - WR
2 - Cameron Lenhardt - DE
3 - Kwazi Gilmer - WR
4 - Janiran Bonner - TE
4 - Jamir Conn - S
5 - Anthony Jones Jr. - DE
6 - Roman Mangini - WR
7 - Andrew Marshall - CB
8 - Luke Lindenmeyer - TE
8 - Donovan Jones- CB
The newest names in the mix are linebacker Owen Chambliss, who followed defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to Nebraska, defensive tackle Jahsear Whittington, who arrived from Pitt after two years there, and wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer, who transferred from UCLA.
On the defensive side, Aurich handed out 11 Blackshirts before the Ohio game. Those honors went to:
DE Cameron Lenhardt
DT Owen Stoudmire
DE Jahsear Whittington
DE Anthony Jones Jr.
LB Dexter Foster
LB Vincent Shavers
CB Andrew Marshall
CB Jeremiah Charles
Nickel Donovon Jones
Safety Jamir Conn
Safety Rex Guthrie
Rhule’s single-digit tradition began in 2023, when Nebraska’s first group included Nash Hutmacher at No. 0, Billy Kemp IV at No.
1, Isaac Gifford at No. 2, Nick Henrich at No.
3, Luke Reimer at No. 4, John Bullock at No.
5, Quinton Newsome at No. 6, Jeff Sims at No.
7, DeShon Singleton at No. 8 and Ty Robinson at No. 9.
The 2024 group leaned heavily defensive, with Jahmal Banks at No. 4 as the only offensive player. That season’s honorees included Nash Hutmacher at No.
0, Ty Robinson at No. 9, Jimari Butler at No.
1, John Bullock at No. 5, Isaac Gifford at No.
2, Marques Buford Jr. at No. 3, Malcolm Hartzog at No.
7, Tommi Hill at No. 6 and DeShon Singleton at No. 8.
In 2025, Nebraska again mixed in familiar names, with Ceyair Wright at No. 1, Marques Buford Jr. keeping No.
3, Riley Van Poppel taking No. 5, Dane Key at No.
6, Malcolm Hartzog Jr. and DeShon Singleton holding Nos. 7 and 8, and Vincent Shavers Jr. eventually moving into No. 9 later in the cycle.
This time, though, every single-digit jersey goes to a new recipient. That makes 2026 the first season since 2023 without any repeat players in Rhule’s leadership group.
In Other News...
Nebraska Suddenly Has A Linebacker Concern It Can't Ignore
Owen Chambliss was already trying to work his way back into Nebraskas defensive picture after missing much of fall camp and the opener with a hamstring issue, and now the Cornhuskers may have to keep waiting a little longer. Matt Rhule said the linebacker might not be available for the upcoming game against Bowling Green, a reminder that the Huskers are still sorting out a position group they expected to lean on this early in the season.
Rhule called Chambliss a valuable player, but he did not offer much clarity on when the injury might finally let up. For a Nebraska defense trying to settle in, the uncertainty matters, especially with a player whose role was supposed to grow once he got back on the field. The next update on Chambliss could tell the Huskers a lot about how soon they can count on being whole at linebacker. [Read more 🡒]
Former Nebraska Receiver Is Raising An Uncomfortable Question For Huskers Fans
Malachi Colemans latest performance came in a spot Nebraska fans know well, even if theyd probably rather not revisit it. The former Huskers receiver, now at Wisconsin, put together a strong showing against Notre Dame with 4 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while playing 40 snaps and drawing top offensive grades from Pro Football Focus for the Badgers.
For Nebraska, the uncomfortable part is not just that Coleman is making plays elsewhere, but that he has now moved multiple times within the Big Ten and is still flashing the kind of upside the Huskers once hoped to harness. Coleman also spoke after the game about areas he still wants to clean up, which only adds to the sense that his story is still unfolding - and that Nebraska supporters may be left wondering what might have been. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Depth Chart Hints At A Feel Good Breakthrough On Defense
Nebraskas depth chart stayed mostly steady from the previous week, but one addition stood out for what it says about the programs persistence: defensive end Mac Markway is back in the mix after working his way through three torn ACLs. For a defense that has spent the offseason trying to build more dependable depth, simply getting a player like Markway onto the chart is a meaningful step, and it fits with the broader theme around Matt Rhules roster-building approach.
Rhule said Markways role is expected to grow week by week, along with the roles of wide receiver Demitrius Bell and true freshman cornerback Danny Odem, all of whom saw the field in the opener. For Nebraska, the next few games will be about whether those early snaps turn into something more durable, especially on a defense where every useful piece matters and every bit of progress feels worth tracking. [Read more 🡒]