Now that the transfer portal window has closed for most college football teams, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are making some bold moves to reshape their offensive roster for the 2026 season.
They need to replace six starters, so the Huskers dove into the transfer market, locking down key additions and keeping important talent on board.
Let’s dig into what’s happened across Nebraska’s offensive positions and what might be in store for fans this fall.
Quarterback Room: Rebounding with Depth and Competition
The quarterback spot took a hit with Dylan Raiola and Marcos Davila both leaving. Still, coach Glenn Thomas wasted no time responding.
Nebraska picked up Anthony Colandrea, Daniel Kaelin, and Tanner Vibabul, instantly making things interesting for fall camp.
Key Additions and Retentions
- Anthony Colandrea: Senior, expected to compete for the starting role.
- Daniel Kaelin: Sophomore, bringing depth and competition.
- Tanner Vibabul: Freshman, a promising three-star prospect.
- TJ Lateef: Retained, adding experience to the mix.
With Colandrea, Lateef, and Kaelin all in the mix, there’s no clear frontrunner yet. It’s shaping up to be a real battle for the starting job, and honestly, that could be a good thing.
Running Back: Transitioning to a Committee Approach
Losing Emmett Johnson to the NFL hurts. He was easily the most productive player in the backfield.
But Nebraska looks ready to use a committee approach, with Mekhi Nelson likely to get the first crack at leading the group.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Mekhi Nelson: Sophomore, expected to take over the starting role.
- Isaiah Mozee: Retained, adding depth and versatility.
- Kenneth Williams: Entered the portal, impacting the depth chart.
- Emmett Johnson: Declared for the NFL, leaving big shoes to fill.
The focus on improving the offensive line might make things easier for these young backs. If the line gels quickly, maybe Nebraska’s ground game won’t miss a beat after all.
Tight End: Stability and Potential
The tight end group looks pretty stable. Heinrich Haarberg graduated, but most key pieces stayed put.
With Luke Lindenmeyer and Carter Nelson still around, the Huskers have a strong core to lean on.
Key Players and Expectations
- Luke Lindenmeyer: Senior, Honorable Mention All-Big Ten, expected to lead the group.
- Carter Nelson: Junior, former No. 3 overall tight end prospect.
- Mac Markway: Sophomore, contributing to depth.
- Eric Ingwerson: Sophomore, retained for additional depth.
No new faces from the portal here. If the coaches get creative and feature these tight ends more, there’s a lot of untapped potential.
Wide Receiver: Talent and Depth
The receiver room is a mix of familiar faces and a couple of new ones. Getting Janiran Bonner back from injury feels huge.
On top of that, Kwazi Gilmer joins from the transfer portal, and he brings a bit of flash to the offense.
Key Additions and Retentions
- Janiran Bonner: Junior, returning from injury, expected to play a vital role.
- Kwazi Gilmer: Junior, a flashy transfer addition.
- Nyziah Hunter: Junior, retained and expected to start.
- Jacory Barney Jr.: Junior, another key returnee.
There’s a lot to like here. The big question is whether this group can stretch the field and turn some heads in the passing game.
Offensive Line: Major Overhaul and New Leadership
The offensive line is almost unrecognizable after three starters graduated. There’s also a new position coach in charge now.
Bringing in Brendan Black, Tree Babalade, and Paul Mubenga addresses some glaring needs. That’s a positive step for a unit that needed it.
Key Changes and Additions
- Brendan Black: Senior, a crucial addition to the line.
- Tree Babalade: Junior, adding size and strength.
- Paul Mubenga: Junior, another significant addition.
- Elijah Pritchett: Senior, retained for experience.
Nebraska’s offensive line really needs to step up for the offense to work. If the new coaches can blend these guys into a real unit, it could be a game-changer this season.
Spring practices should tell us a lot about how all these moves actually play out on the field. If you’re curious for more details, check out this breakdown of Nebraska’s offensive position grades and transfer portal activity over at Sports Illustrated.
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