Make-or-Break Players
The individuals who will decide if 2026 is another 7-win season or something more
Nebraska’s 2026 season will not be defined by one superstar. It will be defined by whether a handful of high-leverage players deliver. These are the six whose individual performances carry the most weight in determining whether the Huskers finish closer to 6-7 or push into the 8-9 win range that would feel like real progress under Matt Rhule.
- Anthony Colandrea, Quarterback
This is the most obvious and most important name on the list. Colandrea arrives with 31 career starts, Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year credentials, and dual-threat production that Nebraska has lacked. He also arrives never having started against a ranked opponent and with a Big Ten schedule that includes Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State.
If Colandrea protects the ball, extends plays with his legs, and keeps the offense on schedule, Nebraska has a chance to be competitive in nearly every game. If the jump in competition exposes him or turnovers pile up, the ceiling drops quickly. No other single player has a larger impact on win total.
- Justin Evans, Center
The offensive line is expected to be one of the team’s strongest units, and Evans is its clear leader. A multi-year starter and Rimington Trophy watch-list candidate, he is the communicator and the emotional center of the group. Nebraska’s ability to run the ball and keep Colandrea clean will depend heavily on how this line performs as a unit.
Evans does not need to be flashy. He needs to be consistent, physical, and reliable for 12-13 games. If the line plays to its potential, the offense has a foundation. If communication or technique slips in November, the entire operation suffers.
- Isaiah Mozee, Running Back
With Emmett Johnson gone, the running back room is a committee by necessity. Mozee, the converted receiver who saw significant work as a true freshman, represents the most versatile option. He can run between the tackles, catch out of the backfield, and create in space.
Nebraska does not need one back to carry 250 times. It does need consistent production and someone who can handle a feature role when the game is on the line. If Mozee (or whoever emerges as the primary option) provides that reliability, the offense becomes much harder to defend. If the committee remains unsettled and inefficient, drives stall and Colandrea is forced into more difficult situations.
- Donovan Jones, Nickel / Hybrid
In Rob Aurich’s 4-2-5, the nickel (or “Cheetah”) is one of the most important positions on the field. Jones has the size, physicality, and coverage ability to fill that role. He started 11 games as a redshirt freshman in 2025 and is now being asked to play closer to the ball while still covering receivers and supporting the run.
A strong year from Jones stabilizes the front seven and secondary alignment. If he struggles with the increased physical demands or the new responsibilities, the defense loses flexibility and becomes easier to attack in space.
- Cameron Lenhardt, Edge
Nebraska’s pass rush was a clear weakness in 2025. The move to a four-man front is designed to create more consistent pressure, and Lenhardt is one of the veterans expected to produce it. He has spoken positively about returning to a more traditional edge role in the new scheme.
The Huskers do not need double-digit sacks from one player. They need consistent disruption and the ability to affect the quarterback without constant blitzing. If Lenhardt and the edge group deliver that, the secondary’s job becomes significantly easier. If the front remains passive, Big Ten quarterbacks will have time to operate.
- Owen Chambliss, Linebacker
Chambliss followed Aurich from San Diego State and thrived in this exact system. He brings proven production, instincts, and the ability to play both the run and the pass. In a 4-2-5 that asks linebackers to be versatile and aggressive, he is the most experienced piece at the second level.
Nebraska’s linebacker room has questions around it. Chambliss is the player most capable of stabilizing the group and setting the physical tone. If he plays at the level he showed at SDSU, the front seven improves immediately. If the transition to Big Ten competition slows him, the defense loses a critical playmaker.
These six players are not the only ones who matter. The right tackle battle, the second corner, the complementary running backs, and the interior defensive line all carry weight. But these six sit at the highest-leverage intersections of scheme, experience, and variance.
If four or five of them play well, Nebraska has a realistic path to eight or nine wins and a more competitive November. If two or three fall short, another 7-6 season becomes the most likely outcome. Year 4 under Rhule will be decided by how these individuals respond.