There are several players we’ve been watching and waiting to explode onto the scene. So, what’s been holding them back? The lack of development. Rhule has stated since the beginning he wanted to be a developmental program. Over the last three years it hasn’t happened. Well, to be fair, I think we saw a little development on the defensive side of the ball under Tony White and Terrance Knighton. But last season there was little if any development, especially on the line of scrimmages.

Donavan Raiola played center and he could coach the center position. We saw that with Justin Evans, now one of the top centers in the college game. But Raiola’s coaching became weaker as you worked your way out. Center position was great, guards were acceptable, and the tackle play was poor to say at least. And that isn’t on the players.

Enter new offensive line coaches Geep Wade and Lonnie Teasley. Wade, who is known for producing high end run-blocking and pass-blocking units, will take the Huskers to the next level using air drills that allow him to watch for proper footwork, body positioning, and timing. Once a player’s technique is solid, players transition to live blocking on the ground. The drill is known for its confidence building and technique focus. In Wade’s time at Georgia Tech his units were ranked 7th nationally in sacks allowed and 9th in yards per carry, leading one to believe there is something to his coaching techniques. Wade’s offensive line style is what I like to call playing on your toes rather than on your heels.

While the offensive line was a nightmare giving up sacks, the defensive line was even worse. As far as sacks are concerned, the Husker defense only logged 22 total with LB Javin Wright leading the team with 3. That’s a pathetic number. The Huskers will need to be 40 plus in the sack department to have the type of season they are anticipating, with at least one, if not two players logging double digits.

Part of the problem was Terry Bradden who was previously an NFL coach with little or no experience at the college level. Bradden never had to develop players, and it was obvious he struggled with it. That’s not to say he wasn’t a good coach. I think he could tell you where you were supposed to be and what to do. He just didn’t have the experience to teach you how.

Phil Simpson, who was retained by Rhule, coached edge players. In his defense, he came from the high school ranks. He perhaps needed as much development adapting to the college game as the players he was coaching. Working with this new defensive staff will boost Simpson’s coaching knowledge.

I thought the addition of Bradden and Butler as the DC last season would perform better than they did. I believe Butler is an exceptional coach, but again, too much experience with already developed talent and not enough building talent. Neither guy was going to take a 3-Star with no experience and make him All Big Ten.

So, what’s different this season? Coaches – coaching – coaching continuity – and the ability to build players from the ground up. Rhule’s staff this season has the chops for development. Throughout their careers they’ve been required to build players because they weren’t in places where they could recruit top-tier talent. They’ve never started with Notre Dame or Ohio State talent. And that’s why I’m high on this coaching staff. They are coaches first and have now been given perhaps the best talent they’ve ever had to work with.

So, who is going to pop and why?

Dawson Merritt – The Husker flipped the talented 4-Star linebacker from Alabama. It was a big win for the Huskers when it happened. Although Merritt has seen playing time he has fought injuries, missing all four November games and the bowl game last season. As a true freshman he played eight games and had two starts. In DC Rob Aurich’s scheme he likes big linebackers that can come up to stuff the run or fall into coverage. Merritt is gifted athletically and at 6’3” and 225-pounds he’s everything Aurich looks for. With Merritt being familiar with Rob Dvorcheck and under Aurich’s tutoring, look for Merrit to show up in a big way this fall if he stays healthy.

Pierce Mooberry – At 6’3”, and 220-pounds Mooberry also falls into that athletic big, bodied linebacker mold Aurich is looking for. While he redshirted and saw action in his allotted four games las season, Mooberry has yet to show what he is capable of. In his senior year of high school, he logged 50 tackles and 6 tackles for a loss. Not a huge body of work but converting from the secondary to linebacker has its learning curves. Still, he also displayed his athleticism on offense with 32 receptions for 556 yards and 6 TDs and averaged better than 17 yards per reception and 80 yards a game. Aurich will take that kind of size and talent with what Mooberry already knows and teach him what he needs to reach the next level.

Riley Van Poppel – Poppel flashed under Terrance Knighton as a true freshman but has gone stagnate since. In his first season he played in eleven games which was highlighted by a touchdown saving tackle in a goal-line-stand against Illinois. He redshirted the next season and played his allowed four games and the Pinstripe Bowl game. He returned last season under Bradden but didn’t live up to expectations. Playing in all 13 games, he only started three, logging 16 tackles, 2 ½ tackles for a loss, 1 ½ sacks, one forced fumble, on pass breakup and one blocked field goal. Anemic numbers to say the least. At 6’5”, 295-pounds the potential is there, he just needs defensive line coach Corey Brown to set him straight. I expect Brown to do that and when he does, look for a jump like we saw from Ty Robinson in his senior season.

Sua Lefotu – A St. John Bosco High School standout, Lefotu has been on the verge of being forgotten since arriving at Nebraska. A true freshman in 2023, he showed flashes of his potential. As a redshirt freshman he was slowed by an injury and never fully reestablished himself. Last season he again seemed to struggle to get on the field, however, with a change in coaches before the bowl game he saw extensive time against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. With a renewed confidence what they saw was a Sua that uses his 6’3”, 300-pound presence to make plays with his strength and speed. They saw a player who uses his hands well and when unleased is one of the more aggressive players on the Huskers D-Line. With new defensive line coach Corey Brown’s motivation, it’s Lefotu’s time to shine.

Dylan Berymon – This one may seem an odd selection as Berymon is true freshman and has yet to see game action. But we are talking about development, and because of that I think Berymon will be a prime example of the difference Corey Brown will make on the defensive line play. Berymon comes in with the kind of body you want to see on the interior defensive line. At 6’2” and 330 pounds, he is a fireplug that offensive lineman will struggle to get their pads under and move. As a senior at Ouachita Parish in Louisiana, he recorded 49 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks. Over his highs school career, he had 36 tackles for a loss and 16 sacks. He is exactly the kind of guy Corey Brown can take and turn into a monster.

Kade Pietrzak – Someone who flashed as a true freshman he looks to be a key contributor in 2026. Playing in all 13 games last season with 278 snaps, Pietrzak showed his versatility and unique ability to adapt. He finished the season with 17 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup and 1 safety. At 6’5” and 265 pounds Pietrzak’s greatest strengths are his athleticism, competitiveness, and constant high-end motor. Think of players like Grant Wistrom. He’ll break out with Roy Manning as edge coach as last season he basically did it all on his own. Part of the Husker’s problems have been that they can’t put pressure on both offensive tackles at the same time. With Manning, Pietrzak will have a teammate such as Anthony Jones, Cam Lenhardt, or Williams Nwaneri competing for the sack at the opposite end.

Williams Nwaneri – If you gave a coach the ability to make a rush end or edge player he would hand you a photograph of Williams Nwaneri. From a physical standpoint he fits the bill perfectly. At 6’7” and 265 pounds with elite height, long arms, and big hands he has all the tools to be a difference making rusher. Playing in all 13 games last season and starting nine he recorded 27 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup and 2 fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. I doubt coach Roy Manning has ever had a player with Nwaneri’s size and physical ability. Now we need to see what he can get out of him because it’s time for Nwaneri to show why he is so highly thought of.

Danny Odem – Nebraska’s secondary is deep, but it’ll be difficult to keep Odem off the field as he has the talent to start day one. Odem may be young with a lot to learn at the next level, but he’s already known for his elite press coverage, using his long arms to push receivers off their route and disrupt timing. He also uses the sideline well, limiting space to make receptions and allowing him to break up passes or put himself in position to make interceptions. At 6’0” and 175 pounds, he needs to add weight, but he’s aggressive and will come up in run support. While not a burner, he has adequate recovery speed and it’s his combination of speed, agility, and coverage skills that sets him apart. With Addison Willimas help, he’ll get him on the field quickly.

Gibson Pyle – Highly touted out of Klein Cain in Houston, Pyle came to Nebraska as a High School All-American. In his freshman season he played in one game and after a year of development he was on the move in 2025 and scheduled to be in the two-deep rotation before a knee injury sidelined him for the season. At 6’5” and 295 pounds he is the perfect combination of height, length, and weight to play interior offensive line. With his high football IQ and an inept ability to read defensive schemes, he’s an ideal fit for what Geep Wade looks for in offensive linemen and if he comes back healthy, he’ll once again be in the two-deep rotation.

Sam Slege – Sledge broke into the two-deep as a true freshman. As a redshirt freshman he played in his allotted four games. As a sophomore he played seven games and it’s safe to say if Justin Evans wasn’t as good as he is, Sledge would be Nebraska’s starting center. Already known for his fundamentals and technique he will mesh well with Wade. At 6’4” and 300 pounds he’ll be one of Nebraska’s top eight offensive lineman. Sledge also receives high grades from coaches and teammates for leadership and work ethics. He’ll be a top backup if not a starter.

Claude Mopuma – Another odd selection because he’s a true freshman. But once again, we’re talking about development, only this time we’re talking about Geep Wade rather than Corey Brown. Wade will have Mopuma in the two-deep rotation out of the gate. That’s saying something when you stop and realize Mopuma moved to the United States as a teenager and has only played two years of organized football. At 6’8” and 260 pounds he has ideal size for the tackle spot. Because of his physicality and strong rapport with players and coaches he’ll climb to the top quickly and may be the truest test of the Geep Wade and Lonnie Teasley experiment.

If you noticed, my list is made up of linebackers, defensive linemen, offensive lineman and one defensive back. That’s because all those positions except defensive back have new coaches. New DC Rob Aurich coaches linebackers, Roy Manning coaches Edge, Corey Brown D-Line, and Geep Wade O-Line. All four positions have struggled to reach their full potential over the last three seasons. But with this group of coaches, that’s all about to change as fans will see a difference on the field this fall.

GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!

Photo courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home – Falls City Journal – Falls City, NE

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