Roy Manning is asking Nebraska’s edge rushers to think bigger than sacks.
That’s the point of the first-year Huskers position coach’s message in fall camp: build pros, build habits, and build a front that can pressure quarterbacks as a unit. Manning saw what that looked like last season at San Diego State, where his defensive line finished with 19½ sacks. Nebraska’s entire defense had 22.
Now he’s trying to raise the standard in Lincoln.
“I’m trying to teach these guys how to be pros,” he said. “I’m trying to teach these guys how to walk like a pro, how to come to meetings, how to study, how to do more, and not just do what’s asked of you, but go the extra mile. Because that’s truly what separates guys at the next level.”
He made it clear he’s not soft-pedaling the message, either.
“I’m going straight, no chase when I talk to these guys,” he continued. “I’m not going to sugarcoat anything; be very demanding.
And I hope that they appreciate that at some point, whether it’s now or when their career is done here. I’m trying ot get these guys ready to be the best version of themselves.
Period.”
Manning’s track record gives the pitch some weight. At San Diego State, he helped get the most out of Ryan Henderson and Niles King, with both edge rushers finishing with at least 6½ sacks. Nebraska is asking him to do something similar with a room that needs more consistent production.
One name that has stood out to him is UCLA transfer Anthony Jones. Manning called the fifth-year edge rusher a steady presence and praised the leadership he’s bringing into the room.
“He’s been a joy to have in that room,” Manning said. “Obviously, coming here for the first time, we kind of got here at the same time, so me and him are both growing in our own way.
He’s what you want as a coach. A guy that you know you can lean on, a guy that’s going to do everything right.
I think he’s going to be a really good leader for us this year.”
Williams Nwaneri is the other big piece in the conversation, but Manning’s emphasis there is different. The former five-star recruit has the tools; Manning wants the day-to-day reliability that turns tools into production.
“Just consistency,” he said. “Obviously, you have a guy that has these measurables and natural born gifts, but it only takes you so far.
So, just consistency, I think, is the biggest thing… I think that’s the journey a lot of these young men are on… Will’s done a good job; I’m really proud of him. He’s grown since I’ve been here.”
That kind of growth could matter quickly for Nebraska. If Nwaneri keeps trending the right way, he could become the player the Huskers hoped they were getting a season ago.
Manning also made it plain that Nebraska can’t lean on just two players. He said a typical game plan calls for six edge players in the rotation, which matched the number defensive tackle coach Corey Brown gave.
“You typically have at least six guys that you want to take into a game,” Manning said. “Heavy rotation, obviously in the front, but I’m always shooting for that number. Some guys are doing special teams and some different packages, but six is usually that number.”
Asked whether Nebraska has six capable options right now, Manning sounded encouraged while leaving room for the rest of camp to sort things out.
“We better be there; we’ve got a game in a few weeks,” he said. “I think we are.
It’s still camp for us, even though I know we’re kind of getting to the tail end of it. So, we’re very much still evaluating guys and giving guys opportunities.”
Another player drawing attention is Mac Markway, the tight end-turned-edge rusher. Manning said the 6-foot-4, 265-pound athlete has flashed in camp.
“Mac’s done a phenomenal job,” Manning said. “Obviously, he’s had some hardships with injuries, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that if you watched him practice. It’s been really cool to see him move around.”
Markway missed his first two seasons at Nebraska because of ACL-related injuries, and if he gets on the field in 2026, it will be on the defensive side after starting out at tight end.
For Manning, the end goal isn’t just a few splash plays. Nebraska did get pressure at times in 2025, but he wants a front that wins by working together, not by chasing numbers.
“Our big focus really all camp has been more about pocket control,” he said. “And about crushing and condensing the pocket… You turn on the Big Ten tape and the fronts that are winning are the fronts that rush four as one… I think that is where we’ll have success.”
He wrapped that thought with the same theme that’s run through everything else he’s said.
“Everything that I have preached has been about process; about pressure,” he continued. “I haven’t mentioned the word sack as much as in my past, because I want them thinking ‘pocket, pocket, pocket’, and then everybody will eat as a result of that.”
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