Much like the defensive tackle spot, Aurich wants six players he can rotate in-and-out to keep fresh and give offensive tackles different looks. Something we didn’t see last season was guys showing different moves to get to the passer. That won’t happen this year with Manning coaching this group. By the time they see Ohio, he’ll know what each of their strengths are, what they do well, and what they need to work on to get better. He’ll not only put them in position to succeed but give them the tools to do so.

My point is the guys listed as D-ends on the 2026 roster had seven total sacks last season. There’s more than seven sack talent in this room. Once again, it goes back to coaching and much like interior coach Corey Brown, new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich hit it out of the park with D-end coach Roy Manning. Brown and Manning have put together a new approach as well as alignment.

“I’m always shooting for that number,” Manning said. “Obviously, some guys are doing special teams and some different packages, but six is usually that number I feel comfortable with.”

As a Blackshirt fan, we’re counting sacks. It’s a number we put a great deal of value on, and I’ve been saying it since Rhule arrived, we need 40 sacks a season to be the team we want to be. Every time you get a sack, you’re basically creating a punt. That’s why Nebraska needs one if not two guys with double digit sacks. But less important than two players with double digit sacks, Nebraska’s defense needs forty sacks in total to be successful.  That would be forty additional punts. Is my thinking off?

“Our big focus all camp, has been more about pocket control and about crushing and condensing the pocket, as opposed to, ‘Hey, you’re going to work this move on the edge’, I mean you turn on Big Ten tape, the fronts that are winning are the fronts that rush four players as one – this guy is doing his job to stay level and contained. This guy is playing off, and more so than just a one man show. So, I’m trying to get these guys to be a cohesive operation between my room and Corey’s room.”

Well, according to coach Manning, my thinking may be a little off. But his point is well taken. The returning interior defensive lineman on the roister only had 3 total sacks last season. They too have more than 3 sack talent in the room. That means the returning twelve front players (six-n-six) in the two rooms come back with a total of 10 sacks. That isn’t enough, and truthfully. I don’t care where they come from as long as they come.

“I haven’t mentioned the word sack as much as in my past because I want them thinking pocket, pocket, pocket,” Manning said, “and then everybody will eat as a result of that.”

But even collapsing the pocket like Manning suggests, sacks start with the D-ends. Aurich said as much by adding that coach Manning will be a big part of getting productivity on this portion of the game with his edges.

“We have to create the matchups we’re looking for, but we also have to get these guys really comfortable being productive at those playmaking points,” Aurich said.

The Six

Anthony Jones – 6’5”, 260-pounds

Experience: Senior (37 games, 14 starts)

Outlook: Jones is seen as a wildcard due to being on his fifth team in as many seasons. He spent one season each at Oregon (2022), Indiana (2023), Michigan State (2024), and UCLA (2025). However, in that time he’s played 37 games with 14 starts and has experienced multiple schemes and views. Considered a wily veteran, Jones has a true edge presence that will allow him to excel in wide-nine alignments, looping stunts, and simulated pressures. His ability to do this gets him to the quarterback before setting up to pass. His versatility allows him to drop back, disrupting quick passes and disguising his intent. He has the natural ability to produce in the right system, and he will play a large role as an edge setter and pass rusher in Aurich’s defense. Manning called him a “dog”.

“He’s a really hungry, really focused, really mature young man. He’s what you want as a coach – a guy that you can lean on. A guy that’s going to do everything right. And I think he’s going to be a really good leader for us this year,” Manning said.

As for his teammates: “He really knows ball. He doesn’t just know defensive end,” Pietrzak said, “he knows all over around the field. He can tell you what the secondary’s doing, what the interior is doing. Just tell you so much.”

Cameron Lenhardt – 6’3”, 265-pounds

Experience: Senior (36 games, 13 starts)

Outlook: A highly recruited 4-Star, ESPN had Lenhardt ranked in the top 150 prospects and the No. 17 rush end in his class. In his three seasons as a Husker he has logged 55 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. Three of those sacks came in his freshman season. Seen as a future difference making player in his freshman year, Lenhardt is one of those guys who never seemed to take the next step. I attribute that to coaching.

Manning’s take on Lenhardt: “He’s full-go, full-throttle each and every play until exhaustion, and then some more.”

Lenhart’s strength and size make him ideal for one-on-one matchups. He will finally be playing at a spot he is meant for. He brings veteran leadership to a young room and Manning will cultivate that into Lenhardt having his best season yet, and if he does, expect him to take advantage of the 5-for-5 rule and embrace a second season of development under Manning.

Williams Nwaneri – 6’7”, 270-pounds

Experience: Sophomore (17 games, 9 starts)

Outlook: A 5-Star recruit, he was a unanimous selection as the No.1 player in Missouri. He was seen as the No.1 edge rusher by multiple recruiting services. He spent his first college season at Missouri before transferring to Nebraska. Last season as a redshirt freshman he totaled 27 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 2 fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Often asked to play on the inside last season Nwaneri is now playing in a defense that will have him on the edge. Playing a 5-an-9 technique is a much better fit for him.

Considered a physical specimen, he is the standard by which all rush ends are measured. His athletic traits for his size serve him well in both rush and pass situations. His 4.88 forty-yard dash time displays superior speed and explosiveness for a player of his size. And his rare length along with his size, speed and ability to dominate make him a prospect at the next level.

“I think that obviously you have a guy that has theses measurables, these natural God given gifts, but it only takes you so far in this game, right?” Manning said. “Just consistency, I think, is the biggest thing. Just from play to play, day to day, whatever that is.”

Kade Pietrzak – 6’5”, 275-pounds

Experience: Sophomore (13 games, 1 start)

Outlook: A 4-Star recruit out of North Dakota. Pietrzak was ranked the No.1 player in the state and the No. 24 defensive line prospect in the nation by On3. In his final two seasons of high school he logged 130 tackles, 35 tackles for losses, and 7 sacks. As a true freshman for the Huskers he played in every game and started against Penn State. He registered 17 tackles. 7 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup, and 1 safety. Pietrzak’s frame, heavy hands, and ability to ‘run over you’ makes him ideal for playing the run. But it’s his get-off motor and instincts that allows him to get pressure on the quarterback. His football player attitude and mindset add to his toughness and consistent play. While he’s still refining his fineness, he shows good leadership traits that make him one of the top four if not top two defensive ends on the team.

Jordan Ochoa – 6’4”, 255-pounds

Experience: Sophomore (5 games, 0 starts)

Outlook: Tight end coach Marcus Satterfield found Ochoa while recruiting Colorado. Ranked as the No. 13 player in the state and top 150 Edge players in the country by On3, he was a valuable find. He redshirted in his first season as a Husker and his only playing time was in the Pinstripe Bowl. Last season he posted 1 tackle, a half tackle for a loss, and a half sack in four games. While Ochoa has seen limited playing time, he is known for his elite first step and ability to create quick pressure. He has a twitchiness that allows him to get off the line quickly and disrupt offensive lineman before they can get set. He continues to develop both physically and mentally under strength and conditioning coach Cory Campbell and position coach Roy Manning. He’s seen as a contributor this fall and one of the top six.

Willis McGahee IV – 6’1”, 250-pounds

Experience: Sophomore (17 games, 0 starts)

Outlook: Ranked as a 3-Star by ESPN, he was considered one of the top 35 outside linebackers in his class. Over his two seasons as a Husker, he’s logged 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, and 2 forced fumbles. He redshirted last season, making all but four tackles coming in his freshman season as a stand-up D-end in the 3-3-5. As of now, he’s playing D-end for Manning but with his size and speed one must wonder if he’s better suited to play linebacker in the 4-2-5 scheme. At 6’1” he’s seen as undersized, and while he’s put on 25 pounds enabling him to play on the D-line his future may be precarious. I struggle listing him ahead of Jeremiah Jones as I see McGhee using his speed to accelerate and be a wrecking-ball type linebacker.

the top six.

Next Two Up

Jeremiah Jones – 6’4”, 230-pounds

Experience: Redshirt Freshman (1 game, 0 starts)

Outlook: A talented all-around athlete, Jones was a 4-Star recruit who was ranked as one of the top10 players nationally and the No. 2 athlete in the country. As a senior in high school Jones had 1,014 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns at wide out. But as a defender in 3 years of high school, he logged a total of 280 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, with 1 being for a touchdown, and 15 interceptions. Multiple SEC schools recruited him to play defense, but it was the Huskers who said they would give him a shot at wide receiver. Fighting through injuries Jones redshirted his freshman year as a wide receiver and logged 1 reception for 6 yards. He made the switch to defense this spring. It’s a smart move as his elite athleticism gives him an unmatched versatility. His speed and reach allow him to get around slower offensives tackles which are key for pass rushers. And his physical skills and instincts will assist him in ball-hawking quarterbacks once he reaches them. While young and still learning, he is seen as having unlimited potential in the position.

Mac Markway – 6’4”, 265-pounds

Experience: Junior (12 games, 1 starts)

Outlook: Markway was seen as a 4-Star tight end coming out of high school and was ranked in the top 10 nationally by both ESPN and Rivals. This after missing all his senior season with a torn ACL. He played in 12 games with 1 start at LSU as a freshman. He then transferred to Nebraska where he suffered a second knee injury early in the season, causing him to use his redshirt. As a sophomore in 2025 Markway suffered a third season ending knee injury in fall camp. It was thought he may not be able to come back after 3 torn ACL’s, but he asked to move to D-end and continue his career.

“He’s done a phenomenal job, Mac has. He’s obviously had some hardships with injuries, and you wouldn’t be able to tell that if you watched him practice,” Manning said. “So, it’s been really cool to see him move around.”

It’s not too shocking as Markway also was a standout defensive end in high school and was recruited as such by multiple colleges. He has knowledge of the position and what it takes but is rusty after a two-year layoff.

“He missed spring ball rehabbing his knee, so after 14 fall camp practices, he’s still raw at the position. I’m keeping that in the back of mind,” Manning said.

Coaching Matters

When the players first met with the media a couple of weeks ago Cam Lenhardt called new DC Rob Aurich a ‘mad scientist’. Aurich’s response:

“Here is what I’ll say about the guys, man, that makes me excited that they are excited about the team, and they’re excited about the coaching points. So, if they want to call me a mad scientist then they can call me whatever they want. I love ‘em’.”

From Aurich to Manning, there is a renewed spirit and faith in the defensive coaches. Something that was lacking last season and is needed for there to be success this season.

“I like that room,” Aurich said. “Coach Manning has done a great job of elevating the floor, raising the ceiling. I think those guys are battling, just how the defensive tackle room is. They’re making each other better. The depth chart isn’t even close to set. Those guys are attacking it.”

Big Ten Defenses

Upon Rob Aurich’s arrival, he described the defense he was bringing to the Huskers like this:

“Ultimately, you’ll see us split-field defense most of the time and getting to a bunch of different coverage variations out of it. We’ll be in 4-2-5 personnel with the rush stood up and to the boundary, the weak side D-end. We like to think we’re really multiple post-snap but pretty simple pre-snap.”

I know we saw the Blackshirts have some run stopping success with the 3-3-5 under Tony White, but his scheme was never aggressive enough to suit me. Example, UCLA’s 18 play opening drive in Lincoln. It always felt like we were the read-react defense Corey Brown was talking about rather than attack-react. And Butler could never make the 3-3-5 work. So, what are we going to get husker fans, well, we’re about to find out because football season is upon us.

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

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

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