Nebraska’s next breakout star could come from a few different places in 2026, and the Huskers have a mix of proven production and high-upside talent to choose from.
The clearest place to start is at quarterback, where Anthony Colandrea steps in after a huge season at UNLV. He threw for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing nearly 66% of his passes, and he added 650 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
That kind of production makes him the easy answer on paper. The bigger question is which Colandrea Nebraska is getting.
At Virginia, he flashed talent but also struggled with consistency. Over two seasons with the Cavaliers, he totaled 4,083 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Now he has to navigate a Big Ten schedule that includes Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Washington and Iowa. If the version of Colandrea that showed up at UNLV shows up in Lincoln, he could be far more than the quarterback replacing Dylan Raiola.
He could end up as the most important player on the roster.
What to watch: Can Colandrea consistently make the big plays while limiting the mistakes that occasionally followed him at Virginia?
Another player with breakout potential is Williams Nwaneri, the former five-star recruit who arrived in Lincoln with the kind of physical traits that can change a defense. Nebraska has already seen flashes from him, but 2026 is the year the Huskers need those flashes to become something bigger. He is expected to start at one of the edge spots in Rob Aurich’s new 4-2-5 defense, and Nebraska wants him to be a major piece of the pass rush.
That matters because the Blackshirts have been looking for a dominant edge threat since Randy Gregory in 2014, when he became one of the Big Ten’s best defensive players. Nebraska wants pressure from four rushers, and Nwaneri could be central to making that work. If he starts winning consistently in one-on-one matchups, it would make the job easier for the linebackers and secondary behind him.
What to watch: Does Nwaneri finally put together the type of season that shows why he was one of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school?
On the offensive side, Nyziah Hunter already proved he can be a go-to target. The former Cal transfer finished his first season in Lincoln with 43 catches for 617 yards and five touchdowns, leading Nebraska in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, he has the size to create problems for defenses, but what really stands out is his ability to hit explosive plays.
With Colandrea now in the mix and other options around him, Hunter does not have to be the entire passing game. But if Nebraska’s offense takes a step forward in 2026, he should be right in the middle of it.
What to watch: Can Hunter turn last year's 617 yard season into a 1,000 yard campaign
There are other names worth tracking, too. The running back room looks wide open after Emmett Johnson’s departure, and Isaiah Mozee, Mekhi Nelson and Jamal Rule will all get chances to stake their claim. The big question is whether one of them can separate from the pack and become Nebraska’s next feature back.
Jacory Barney Jr. is another player who could make a jump. He has already shown flashes as both a receiver and returner over his first two seasons in Lincoln, but he has not yet put together the kind of season that would put him in All Conference territory. If he takes another step as a receiver while staying dangerous in the return game, he could move quickly from good to elite.
There are plenty of moving parts in Nebraska’s 2026 picture. But if the Huskers are looking for their next true breakout star, these are the names that stand out.
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Nebraska Fall Camp Buzz Is Building As Raiola Reopens QB Talk
Fall camp has only just opened for Nebraska, but there is already a familiar sense of anticipation around the program as players start talking about what this group could become in 2026. The Huskers return 14 starters, and the early chatter has centered on the kind of stability that can make a real preseason buzz feel justified, especially when the offense is drawing positive reviews from within the locker room.
One of the more interesting notes came from Anthony Colandrea, who praised the offensive line as camp got underway, a helpful sign for a team trying to build momentum before the real tests begin. Nebraska is getting some national attention too, with votes in the Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll, and the conversation around the program has only grown louder after former quarterback Dylan Raiola revisited why he transferred to Oregon, pointing to differences in environment and team talent. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Raiola Addressed Leaving Nebraska In A Way Fans Need To Hear
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Raiola also made it plain he understands where he fits now, even if it is not as the starter. He voiced support for Dante Moore as Oregon's quarterback and said he is prepared to do what helps the team most, an approach Nebraska fans will recognize as part of the reality of modern roster movement even if the explanation still stings a little. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Faces More Than Wins And Losses In 2026
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The bigger picture is just as important, because Nebraska is building toward more than the 2026 schedule. The Cornhuskers have put together a strong 2027 recruiting class, with quarterback Trae Taylor among the headliners, while Memorial Stadium is also set for a remodel to begin in December and wrap by the 2028 season. In other words, this is a pivotal stretch for a program trying to prove the on-field progress can keep pace with everything happening around it. [Read more 🡒]