Spring football has started at Nebraska. Which defensive lineman could make an impact under Terry Bradden? It’s time for several players to prove themselves on the Cornhuskers defensive line. Let’s break down who they are.
Spring Updates: Nebraska’s Defensive Line
Cam Lenhardt
The 260-pound junior leads the Huskers in experience. Last season under ex-defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, Lenhardt played 233 total snaps. This allowed him to total 14 tackles and a sack in the regular season. Lenhardt was also able to carry this momentum into the Pinstripe Bowl. Against Boston College, he had three tackles. We should see him take an even bigger jump in 2025. He’ll be the focal point of Terry Bradden’s new defensive line. The Cornhuskers don’t have a veteran presence at the defensive tackle spot. After four seasons in Lincoln, Ty Robinson put on an outstanding NFL Combine performance. Nash Hutmacher didn’t quite make it into NFL circles. However, he’s been quietly preparing for the NFL Draft. This leaves the door open for Lenhardt to win the starting nod in the Spring. But if Bradden starts him, will he live up to expectations? He had a sophomore slump last season, and we haven’t heard any updates about him from the coaching staff.
Williams Nwaneri
As a freshman at Missouri, Nwaneri failed to make an impact with the Tigers. He had two tackles and a sack against UMass. This set him up to make an impact against Auburn. However, he failed to register any tackles in the matchup. This led defensive line coach Al Davis to redshirt him for the rest of the 2024 season. Can he turn a corner at Nebraska? It certainly seems that way for the five-star prospect. Since he’s been in Lincoln, he’s gained 13 pounds. If he keeps transforming his body in the weight room, Bradden will put him on the Cornhuskers defensive line.
Elijah Jeudy
In just two seasons at Nebraska, Jeudy developed himself into a key backup on the Cornhuskers defensive line. While playing with Robinson and Hutmacher he was able to total up 11 tackles and one quarterback hurry in 2024. This type of production finally sets him up to be the “wildcard”
of Bradden’s room in 2025. Last Spring ex-defensive line coach Terrance Knighton said that Jeudy ” has the quickness and strength to play on third down, and the ability to be dynamic on third down.” He still has those strengths, but he’s also gained weight too. On the eve of Spring ball, Rhule said that he started his career at 270 pounds. But now that he is 300 pounds, the head coach thinks that it is time for him to make a jump.
Read more about Jeudy in Looking Ahead: Major Players For Nebraska’s Defense In 2025
Keona Davis
The freshman from Arizona flirted with the idea of the transfer portal. However, Davis decided to return to Nebraska in 2025. This comes after his freshman season with the Cornhuskers in which he had 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Will he be able to find a bigger role this year? We don’t know for sure, but he has the ability to shine. In the Pinstripe Bowl, he played a career-high 18 snaps. And he’s been in Lincoln for a year. These two components have allowed him to surpass other inexperienced Cornhuskers in individual drills.
Kade Pietrzak
The freshman from South Dakota has a chance to earn reps in Donovan Raiola’s offensive line room. The Huskers have needed some more depth at the position especially since Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka went down with injuries. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder fits the bill of an offensive lineman. But, it seems he’ll find a home with Bradden. In his junior season at Cheyenne High School, he had 58 tackles, 26 tackles, and five sacks.
Main Photo: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
The post Spring Updates: Nebraska’s Defensive Line appeared first on Last Word on College Football.