Nebraska’s three strongest position groups heading into 2026 fall camp

Nebraska football is entering its fourth season with head coach Matt Rhule. There are still plenty of questions surrounding position battles and new coaches. But the Huskers have several players and position groups that could set a position tone for the entire team. Here are our picks for Nebraska’s three strongest position groups heading into the start of fall camp: Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. (2) and wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (13) celebrate after a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images Wide receiver Nebraska’s wide receiver group is one of its strongest groups heading into fall camp for the second straight season. The Huskers are led by veterans Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney, Janiran Bonner and UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer. Hunter and Barney recorded the most receiving yards on the team in 2025. Bonner suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the season. In his first season as a Husker, Hunter earned 617 reception yards on 43 catches for five touchdowns. Barney added five touchdowns along with 484 receiving yards on 45 catches. Gilmer is a great addition to the receiver group. At UCLA, he tallied 880 yards on 81 catches and six touchdowns over 19 starts and 24 games. As a freshman in 2024, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound WR had a career-high 88 receiving yards on three catches in a 27-20 Bruins win over Nebraska. Receivers coach Daikel Shorts Jr. helped Nebraska rank ninth in the Big Ten and 66th in FBS with 224.6 passing yards per game. Shorts is entering his second season with the Husker receivers and has lots of talent to work with. Nebraska has several young receivers with high hopes behind its top four veterans. Sophomores Quinn Clark and Cortez Milles recorded nine and five receptions in 2025 but had over 130 yards each. Sophomore Keelan Smith and redshirt freshman Jeremiah Jones could also get an opportunity. Nebraska OL Tree Babalade. (Credit: Nebraska Football) Offensive line After years of concern for the Huskers’ offensive line, the position group is one of Nebraska’s strongest this season. New offensive line coach Geep Wade and Rhule brought in three starters from the transfer portal: LSU guard Paul Mubenga, Iowa State guard Brendan Black and South Carolina tackle Tree Babalade. The trio stands at 6-foot-4 or taller. Nebraska’s entire line is above 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds. Nebraska returns starting center Justin Evans and left tackle Elijah Pritchett for the 2025 line. Evans was solid in his first season as a center last season. Pritchett had a tough start to his Husker career in 2025 but started the last nine games. Entering fall camp, the Huskers’ projected starters are Pritchett (left tackle), Mubenga (left guard), Evans (center), Black (right guard) and Babalade (right tackle). In his previous stop, Wade coached Georgia Tech’s offensive line from 2023-25, leading them to be a great run-blocking and pass-blocking unit. In those three seasons, the Yellow Jackets ranked seventh nationally in sacks allowed (1.0 per game) and rushing yards per carry (5.3) and 15th in rushing yards per game (196.1). Nebraska hopes that Wade’s teaching will translate well to the Huskers and the Big Ten. He seemingly has strong clay to mold. Nebraska defensive lineman Cameron Lenhardt (Photo credit: Casey Fritton/HuskerOnline) Defensive EDGE New defensive EDGE coach Roy Manning has great depth in his room with lots of potential. Nebraska has a chance to wreak havoc this season. Senior Cameron Lenhardt is coming off a career-high seven starts and 23 tackles. The Huskers are expecting the 6-foot-3, 270-pound EDGE to step up more this season. Nebraska added another veteran to the group with UCLA transfer Anthony Jones Jr. Jones earned 20 tackles, four quarterback hurries, 2.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in 2025 with the Bruins. Jones has experience playing for Oregon (2022), Indiana (2023), Michigan State (2024) and UCLA (2025). He knows the Big Ten well. Williams Nwaneri and Kade Pietrzak had impressive freshmen seasons last year and are poised for a sophomore jump. Both have just barely tapped into their potential. Pietrzak recorded seven tackles for a loss of 38 yards and two sacks for a loss of 20. Nwaneri, a former Mizzou transfer, started nine games. The 6-foot-7, 265-pound DE tallied 27 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass breakup and two fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown against Houston Christian. Hybrid EDGE Willis McGahee IV is back after redshirting in 2025, playing in four games and the Las Vegas Bowl game. As a true freshman in 2024, he posted 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and forced two fumbles. McGahee flashed last season, but can he level up after a development season? Never miss breaking news or another HuskerOnline article again. Click HERE to sign up for HuskerOnline’s Daily and Breaking News Newsletters