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LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is not waiting for guidance to trim the fat from its football program. The Huskers’ post-spring roster sits at 123 players, down from more than 150 last season.
Nebraska has shifted depth toward the defense, beefing up on the line even as it reduces overall numbers. Nine players entered the transfer portal during the April window. Among the Huskers who chose to exit, only Grant Seagren, a backup offensive tackle, appeared in position to contend for important playing time in 2025.
Advertisement The roster at the start of May includes 20 seniors and 20 true freshmen. It’s got balance. But it’s not complete.
Nebraska is prepared to add a punter in the weeks ahead. Another depth piece at a position of need remains on the table. There will be a round of attrition in the summer months, with or without a mandated roster limit.
The NCAA antitrust case, still stuck in federal court, appears on track, when settled, to protect current athletes from the chopping block. Here’s a look at the current state of the Huskers, with 56 players on the offensive side, 62 on defense and five specialists: Quarterbacks (6) Jalyn Gramstad, senior, 6 feet, 200 pounds : Former NAIA star has earned the Huskers’ confidence as the top backup. Luke Longval, junior, 6-2, 210: Walk-on has not appeared in a game in two seasons out of junior college.
Dylan Raiola, sophomore, 6-3, 230: Face of the program and returning Nebraska freshman record-holder for passing yards and completion rate. Marcos Davila, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 235: Transfer from Purdue is built physically for the Big Ten. Bode Soukup, redshirt freshman, 6-2, 195: Threw for 4,477 yards at Blair (Neb.
) High School. TJ Lateef, freshman, 6-2, 190: Four-star signee out of Southern California who earned an invite to Elite 11 Finals. Synopsis: Unlike a year ago, it’s all about Raiola, the newly minted Adidas athlete.
And there’s no one trying to slow-play anything. The arrival of Davila was essential to provide depth and avoid rushing Lateef, who’s a solid prospect but needs time. Running backs (8) Vincent Genatone, junior, 6-0, 225: Montana transfer switched positions after three seasons at linebacker.
Emmett Johnson, junior, 5-11, 200: Top returning back accumulated 908 all-purpose yards and started five games in 2024. Kwinten Ives, sophomore, 6-3, 210: Emerged in winter and spring as the leading candidate for the backup job. Advertisement Kenneth Williams, sophomore, 5-9, 180: Speedy walk-on carried once last year and returned a kickoff in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Izaac Dickey, redshirt freshman, 5-10, 215: Big-bodied runner could find work as a lead blocker. Mekhi Nelson, redshirt freshman 6-0, 185: Late add last summer impressed on the scout team and will bid for carries this year. Conor Booth, freshman, 6-0, 210: Prolific high school runner out of Wahoo, Neb.
, who showed progress in the spring. Jamarion Parker, freshman, 5-11, 175: Highly regarded signee has to make up ground after missing time in spring practice. Synopsis: Nebraska is untested behind Johnson, an uncomfortable situation.
It made a run at Omaha native CharMar Brown in the portal, but he picked Miami. So the Huskers appear set to roll with what they’ve got. Tight ends (7) Heinrich Haarberg, senior, 6-5, 225: Converted QB adds an intriguing athletic element to the pass-catching group.
Luke Lindenmeyer, junior, 6-3, 250: Most reliable player at his position, he’s comfortable in all assignments. Cayden Echternach, sophomore, 6-4, 250: Appeared in two games last year as a redshirt freshman. Mac Markway, sophomore, 6-4, 260 : A contributor in 2023 at LSU, he’s working back from a knee injury.
Carter Nelson, sophomore, 6-5, 230: One of the Huskers’ top athletes who is still working to get comfortable after a freshman season at receiver. Eric Ingwerson, redshirt freshman, 6-6, 250: Two-way standout in high school out of Papillion, Neb. Danny King, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 245: Minnesotan walked on a year ago over several Division II offers.
Synopsis: Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen appreciates the steadiness of Lindenmeyer. The talents of Haarberg, Nelson and perhaps Markway hint at fireworks in the passing game. Wide receivers (14) Dane Key, senior, 6-3, 210 : Prime contender for WR1.
He brings skill as a Kentucky transfer who caught 47 passes for 715 yards last year. Janiran Bonner, junior, 6-2, 220: Versatile piece can slide to tight end or operate out of the backfield. Roman Mangini, junior, 5-10, 170 : Important culture fit; his size belies his value.
Advertisement Jacory Barney Jr., sophomore, 6-0, 170: Dynamic weapon and the fastest Husker. He caught 55 balls for 447 yards as a true freshman.
Demitrius Bell, sophomore, 6-0, 185: Exciting talent, but a spring injury in 2024 delayed his progress. Jaidyn Doss, sophomore, 6-0, 195: Back at wideout after testing skills at defensive back and showed well in final spring scrimmage. Nyziah Hunter, sophomore, 6-2, 210: Cal transfer plays big and is expected to make his mark.
Quinn Clark, redshirt freshman, 6-5, 205: Called out by Raiola for his offseason development. DJ Singleton, redshirt freshman, 5-10, 155: Brother of starting defensive back DeShon Singleton caught a scrimmage touchdown to end the spring. Keelan Smith, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 210: Son of Nebraska great Neil Smith, he was named the 2023 Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 6 Offensive Player of the Year.
Jackson Carpenter, freshman, 6-1, 190: Father Tim won three national championships at Nebraska as a tight end under Tom Osborne. Jeremiah Jones, freshman, 6-4, 215: Oozing with athleticism, he’s the only skill player among signees who didn’t enroll early. Cortez Mills, freshman, 6-0, 175: The next in line from the Miami area to make a freshman impact.
Isaiah Mozee, freshman, 6-1, 200: Another signee expected to play right away. His dad, Jamar, joined Matt Rhule’s staff last summer. Synopsis: The top four — Key, Barney, Bonner and Hunter — provide a blend of speed and size that won’t be easy to defend.
If any of several promising freshmen start to roll, Raiola’s options increase. Offensive linemen (21) Turner Corcoran, senior, 6-6, 310: Has started 34 games, most at left tackle, but injuries have taken a toll. Henry Lutovsky, senior, 6-6, 320: A 15-game starter at guard, he’s projected back in the lineup after a recovery from the injury that slowed him in spring.
Advertisement Teddy Prochazka, senior, 6-10, 315: Another often-injured veteran, his two knee surgeries raise questions about durability. Rocco Spindler, senior, 6-5, 325: Mainstay at Notre Dame with 23 starts at right guard, he’s taken a leadership role with the Nebraska O-line. Justin Evans, senior, 6-1, 315: The man in the middle, Evans took the starting center spot and ran with it after logging 18 starts at guard.
Tyler Knaak, junior, 6-6, 325: A big offseason jump placed him with the top group at right tackle. Elijah Pritchett, junior, 6-6, 310 : Alabama transfer is a former five-star recruit and 11-game starter for the Tide. He’s the projected starter at left tackle.
Jacob Brandl, sophomore, 6-3, 305: Walk-on has not played in two seasons out of Omaha. Gunnar Gottula, sophomore, 6-6, 305: Lincoln Southeast product who started nine games at left tackle as a redshirt freshman. He could move to the right side or to guard.
Brock Knutson, sophomore, 6-7, 305: Depth piece at tackle in his third season from Scottsbluff, Neb. Jason Maciejczak, sophomore, 6-2, 305: Strong and steady in his development as a reliable option to receive reps inside. Sam Sledge, sophomore, 6-4, 295: A backup center, he played in four games last year.
Grant Brix, redshirt freshman, 6-6, 310: Nebraska expects big things from this former elite recruit, but he needs time to grow into a prominent role at tackle. Nolan Fennessy, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 280: Redshirted as a walk-on in his first season. Jake Peters, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 285: Second-year lineman stood out in three high school sports out of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Gibson Pyle, redshirt freshman, 6-5, 295: Texan earned spot in 2024 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Preston Taumua, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 295: Versatile blocker from Hawaii who has worked at guard and tackle. Advertisement Shawn Hammerbeck, freshman, 6-6, 260: The top lineman out of South Dakota last year, he also starred in basketball and track. Juju Marks, freshman, 6-5, 300: Recruiting flip from Kansas, he fits among the Huskers’ newly tapped K.
C. connection. Houston Kaahaaina-Torres, freshman, 6-3, 295: Exciting guard prospect who played in high school at nationally known St.
Louis School in Honolulu. Brian Tapu, freshman, 6-6, 300: A summer arrival this year, he played one year in Utah after moving from New Zealand. Synopsis: Despite a long list of injured Huskers, the picture came together nicely in the spring as Pritchett, Evans and Spindler solidified jobs at positions that required attention.
Defensive linemen (18) Elijah Jeudy, senior, 6-3, 285: Expected to fill starting and leading role in third season after a transfer from Texas A&M. Jaylen George, junior, 6-2, 260: East Tennessee State transfer was slow to get moving in Lincoln because of injury. Cameron Lenhardt, junior, 6-3, 260: Ready for a jump after two seasons on the brink of something big out of Florida’s IMG Academy.
Dylan Parrott, junior, 6-5, 315: Converted O-lineman has put in time to fill backup job. Conor Connealy, sophomore, 6-4, 265: The walk-on and son of former DL standout Terry Connealy suffered an ACL tear in bowl practice. Keona Davis, sophomore, 6-5, 255: Edge rusher with eye-popping physical skills who bypassed redshirt last year.
Mason Goldman, sophomore, 6-5, 260: Over the hump after multiple injuries and progressing as a pass rusher. Gabe Moore, sophomore, 6-4, 290: Spent two seasons at Mississippi State but did not play. Riley Van Poppel, sophomore, 6-5, 290: The main man up front alongside Jeudy, he redshirted last year to aid his development after playing well as a freshman.
Landen Davidson, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 310: Newly converted from the offensive line out of Colorado. Advertisement David Hoffken, redshirt freshman 6-7, 255: Huskers are staying patient with raw and massive German import who was identified at satellite camp last summer. Sua Lefotu, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 295: Flashed against good competition but has yet to stay healthy for an extended period.
Ashton Murphy, redshirt freshman, 6-5, 265: Made his debut by playing in one game during redshirt season a year ago. Williams Nwaneri, redshirt freshman, 6-7, 255: Former five-star prospect and Missouri transfer possesses electrifying potential off the edge. Connor Schutt, redshirt freshman, 6-6, 215: Converted tight end played quarterback in high school.
Tyson Terry, freshman, 6-3, 305: Undefeated, four-time state wrestling champ from Omaha North, he’s on the mend from knee surgery. Kade Pietrzak, freshman, 6-5, 260: North Dakota high school player of the year who won a pair of state championships in football. Malcolm Simpson, freshman, 6-3, 265: Active in the trenches as a four-star signee from Texas.
Synopsis: Lots of bodies, but the lack of proven depth is a concern. The Huskers would have liked in the spring to learn more about their transfer additions. As it stands, the top trio is about all that’s settled.
Linebacker (18) Dasan McCullough, senior, 6-5, 235: Oklahoma and Indiana transfer is looking to find a home at jack linebacker. Marques Watson-Trent, senior, 5-11, 225: A tackling machine, the Georgia Southern transfer plays and acts like a pro in the middle. Javin Wright, senior, 6-5, 230: Seventh-year defender has battled blood clots and injuries, but he can be a difference-maker when healthy.
Michael Booker III, senior, 6-1, 225: Three-year reserve whose dad, Michael, was a first-round NFL Draft pick out of Nebraska. Gage Stenger, junior, 6-2, 220: Special-teams contributor identified in the spring by teammates as an essential leader. Advertisement Jacob Bower, sophomore, 6-1, 220: Earned a scholarship for his regularly disruptive play in practice and set to fit in packages for DC John Butler.
Willis McGahee IV, sophomore, 6-1, 235: Breakout freshman from a year ago who will share time with McCullough at jack linebacker. Dylan Rogers, sophomore, 6-3, 240: Two-year backup who can prep at multiple spots. Vincent Shavers, sophomore, 6-1, 225: Improved as his first season progressed until he was one of the Huskers’ best linebackers late in 2024.
Maverick Noonan, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 240: A backup at jack who’s battled injuries in his two seasons. Roger Gradney, redshirt freshman, 6-0, 205: Redshirted in first season while sliding into a new role after he was recruited to play DB. Ethan Duda, redshirt freshman, 6-5, 230: Walk-on from Elkhorn South in Omaha who redshirted last year.
Jordan Ochoa, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 250: Settled at jack after arriving last year with original plans to work off the edge. Trent Uhlir, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 230: Converted from running back to fill a depth spot vacated by Genatone. Derek Wacker, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 220: Class C discus champion in Nebraska before his redshirt season in 2024.
Dawson Merritt, freshman, 6-3, 210: Son of Kansas City Chiefs’ assistant Dave Merritt, Dawson flipped from Alabama because he believes in the Huskers’ readiness to contend. Christian Jones, freshman, 6-2, 230: A top linebacker nationally in high school out of Omaha Westside, he looks the part to play early. Pierce Mooberry, freshman, 6-4, 200: Standout high school defender and running back whose dad, Brandon, played defensive end for the Huskers.
Synopsis: The jack is stacked. And linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek learned plenty about his inside linebackers in the spring. As a whole, it’s one of the top position groups on the roster — if not the best.
Advertisement Defensive backs (26) Derek Branch, senior, 5-11, 195: Another with Nebraska football in his blood, his dad, Troy, was a reserve linebacker three decades ago. Marques Buford, senior, 5-11, 190: Back to safety full time in 2025, it seems, after he started seven games at corner and five at safety last year. Malcolm Hartzog, senior, 5-9, 180: Veteran defender with seven career interceptions.
He plays more naturally at safety than the corner spot he often manned in 2024. DeShon Singleton, senior, 6-3, 210: Back for a fifth year in college and fourth at Nebraska as a leader with 18 starts at safety in the past two seasons. Ceyair Wright, senior, 6-0, 180: The former USC defender made a splash at Nebraska, starting eight games at corner last year with two interceptions.
Jamir Conn, junior, 6-0, 180: Newcomer from Southern Illinois missed spring with an injury. Andrew Marshall, junior, 6-0, 185: A contender to start at corner, he was a first-team All-Big Sky pick at Idaho last season. Mario Buford, sophomore, 6-0, 175: Marques’ younger brother made his presence known in playing 11 games as a true freshman.
Jeremiah Charles, sophomore, 6-0, 170: Started once and played in every game at corner and on special teams. Blye Hill, sophomore, 6-4, 190: Fighting back from spring 2024 injury after he’d earned inside track to start as a transfer from St. Francis (Pa).
Justyn Rhett, sophomore, 6-1, 200: Georgia transfer looking to break through in a crowded group at safety. Rahmir Stewart, sophomore, 5-11, 210: Reserve out of Philly intercepted his first pass last year against UTEP. Brice Turner, sophomore, 6-1, 185: Speedy Texan aims to squeeze his way into competition for reps.
Rowdy Bauer, redshirt freshman, 5-11, 180: Made his debut as a walk-on in the season opener a year ago. Caleb Benning, redshirt freshman, 5-11, 200: Promising prospect at safety who played in three games in 2024 to preserve a redshirt. Advertisement Rex Guthrie, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 200: Saw senior year in high school cut short by injury, then redshirted at Nebraska.
Thomas D’Onofrio, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 185: Walk-on from Wisconsin redshirted a year ago. Donovan Jones, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 195: Breakout performance in Pinstripe Bowl elevated him into conversation to start at corner this fall. Preston Okafor, redshirt freshman, 6-2, 180: Walk-on from Omaha Westside who won a pair of state titles in high school.
Kahmir Prescott, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 200: A track standout from Philadelphia. He waited through last season without playing. Braylen Prude, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 200: Discovered at a Houston satellite camp in 2023, he got into two games last season.
Amare Sanders, redshirt freshman, 6-1, 175: Huskers see a bright future for the corner from Miami who played in four games plus the bowl a year ago. Larry Tarver, redshirt freshman, 5-10, 175: Yet another first-year defender to redshirt, he was an all-district player in Miami and a track star in high school. Tanner Terch, freshman, 6-1, 185: Came to Nebraska this year from Colorado and intercepted a pass in his first spring game.
Caden VerMaas, freshman, 5-11, 185: Totaled more than 3,600 all-purpose yards in his Omaha high school career. Bryson Webber, freshman, 6-2, 180: Stepson of former Ohio State corner Gareon Conley, he ran a 10.5-second 100-meter dash as a Texas prep star.
Synopsis: Somehow, Nebraska has more defensive backs than a year ago, despite cutting the roster by 20 percent. The top 10 to 12 in the secondary are solid, but the group could benefit from more defined roles. Specialists (5) Aidan Flege, senior, 6-2, 215: Took over long-snapping duties a year ago amid the Huskers’ struggles.
Kevin Gallic, senior, 6-0, 235: Recruited out of the portal from New Hampshire to fix the snapping inconsistency. Advertisement Tristan Alvano, sophomore, 6-1, 205: Handled kicking work well as a freshman, but a groin injury set him back last season. John Hohl, sophomore, 6-0, 180: Connected on 10 of 15 field goal attempts as a freshman, including a 54-yarder at Ohio State.
Kamdyn Koch, redshirt freshman, 6-2, 205: The Huskers’ lone punter at the moment, he’s the son of legendary former Nebraska punter Sam Koch. Synopsis: The Huskers need a rugby-style punter to fit the preferred scheme of special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler. They’re otherwise solid, with the kickers set for a two-man battle in August and perhaps beyond.
(Top photo of Emmett Johnson: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images).
