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HUSKERS FOOTBALL: The QB Order, Running Back Depth - Week One of Practice Is In the Books

2025-08-04T15:42:06-05:00

Andy Ketterson

The first week is in the books and the fans got their first and last live peek. So what do we know? Well, probably not much, but let’s take a swing.

One week of practice is down and we don’t know much except what the coaches are telling us which, to be honest, isn’t that much. They’re not to blame for that, though, because while they might have a good idea about things, they’re about three and a half weeks from kickoff which means they’re likely about two weeks or so away from turning question marks into commitments.

And they will use those weeks.

What we did get were a couple of looks at the team going through their paces and, limited though it may be, that was a pretty good look at who’s standing out. There’ll be plenty of snippets at the end, but let’s start by looking in on the two most glamorous positions.

Andy Ketterson

QB1

QUARTERBACKS

As far as the starter goes, this is probably the least suspenseful starting battle on the field. Here’s what Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen said Thursday about Dylan Raiola:

“I’ve said this before. His football knowledge is advanced, so we’re putting a lot of things on him, from going to the line of scrimmage and looking and seeing what’s going on and getting us in the best play. Okay? And he can do that at very high level…His leadership stuff - that’s been awesome. The conditioning has been awesome. His rapport with people is awesome.”

These aren’t things you say about anyone but the starter. That’s Dylan’s job and we got to see it for ourselves in the limited engagements at practice. His arm, his confident body language, the way he carries himself - this guy is The Man and, let’s face it, if football players were allowed to enter college a full season early, he would have been starting in 2023 as a 17-year-old and the bowl drought would have ended sooner.

The battle currently is for the backup job and that’s an interesting situation. The senior is Jalyn Gramstad, a 2024 NAIA transfer, who has the advantage of a year in the program under his belt. The other two are true freshman T.J. Lateef and Purdue transfer redshirt freshman Marcos Davila.

In the first scrimmage, the QB’s entered in the following order:

1) Raiola
2) Gramstad
3) Lateef
4) Davila

Holgorsen said in the spring Gramstad was the current #2 due to knowing the offense front to back, and it appears that is still the case. But do we expect that to still hold on August 28th?

Andy Ketterson

#2 - currently.

My opinion? Yes & no. Big leads in any of the first three games might result in Gramma getting the first drive. But Big 10 games?

I’ll just say this - first of all, Gramstad looks pretty small in the group. Next to Dylan and Davila, sure, ok; both are in the 6’3 230 region. But Gramstad is listed at 6’0”, Lateef at 6’1” both at 200 and Lateef looks larger as well. In addition, both of the latter have noticeably stronger arms and playmaking ability.

And Lateef appears to be a little better than Davila.

Andy Ketterson

Marcos Davila

My gut says that if circumstances call for someone to come off the bench against Michigan or another B1G foe, playmaking ability plus more careful playcalling will give one a better chance to win than the more experienced guy with better command of the playbook but fewer physical tools.

Andy Ketterson

Lateef has impressed

RUNNING BACKS

Much like the quarterback room, there is a clear #1 on the chart - confirmed by the coaches - and that’s Emmett Johnson. The rumor said one of the first things wanted to know as an offensive “advisor” was why in the hell Emmitt was playing the role of backup to Dante Dowdell.

Once he was made OC, the situation was quickly reversed, Emmitt got the majority of the snaps and responded with 484 total yards in the final 4 games. Dowdell transferred to Kentucky and Emmett looks bigger and faster than he did when 2024 ended.

As far as the rest of the room, many wondered why the staff appeared to stand pat instead of looking for another experienced runner from the portal. The answer appeared to be they believe they already have plenty of talent in the room.

Rhule has been touting the abilities of sophomore Kwinten Ives since he took the Nebraska Cornhuskers job. Mekhi Nelson, a redshirt freshman, is looking more than ready for prime time as is true freshman Connor Booth of Wahoo who ran for nearly 5000 yards plus 51 touchdowns in his final two seasons there - he broke a long run in Saturday’s scrimmage and is already around 215 lbs.

In addition, WR true freshman Isaiah Mozee was added to the room and is a solid 210 himself. (Also, athletic freak 6’ 225 Vince Gennatone was shifted in from linebacker)

The downside is Ives suffered a “soft-tissue” injury on day one, rumored to be a hamstring, which was said not to be too serious, but he has still not returned.

When asked about the depth, Holgorsen made it clear while Johnson is #1, we will see multiple players at the position:

I keep saying it, you’re getting to number two quick. You’re getting to number three pretty quick, and you’re probably going to get to number four. And it may happen in the first half of the first game, you know. So better get some of those, those other guys ready to go.

The talent they talked about sure looks like it’s there, however the Ives injury gives a little pause. If he remains unavailable, the top four are junior, redshirt freshman, freshman, freshman.

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

OTHER OBSERVATIONS AND THOUGHTS

Per Rhule, NCAA rules allow for only nine practices in full pads. As he put it, ““Just think about that, they get nine times to be a full pads, nine times you can actually physically tackle someone before the first game. Over a season, football, sometimes it’s pretty sloppy, that’s why. And so we don’t have any time to waste.”
Janiran Bonner showed nice hands on a few catches Saturday.
Jacory Barney Jr. was running hard routes and physically shedding tight coverage - confirms what Holgorsen was saying about him playing much faster in the off-season.
Dylan is looking spryer and quicker on his feet; expect see him running a little more accordingly. He had already showed deceptive quickness last season in avoiding the rush in one-on-one situations when he had an out.
Wide receivers who will press for time - Jeremiah Jones, Cortez Mills (caught a bomb from Dylan), Quinn Clark (Holgo last year). We have a loaded room there.
Luke Lindenmeyer is obviously big part of the TE receiving game, his comments about EA Sports disrespect aside.
I was definitely watching more offense than defense Saturday, but Vincent Shavers Jr. was definitely reminding everyone of his Pinstripe Bowl performance. He will be having his name called often in 2025.
Alabama transfer Elijah Pritchett has been doing a nice job according to coaches - but also has a big battle to start on his hands with Gunner Gottula who sat atop the left tackle chart at the end of the year last season.
According to Rhule, this is a team who likes practice and I get that. Watching the guys is always nostalgic and I can’t help but want to jump in.
Even if the reality if that happened would 100% end up with a trainer leaning over me and saying, “Oh wow, I don’t think he’s getting up.”
Rhule says he has difficulty with questions about “new guys” or “transfers” since they walked in and fit as members of the team right away; he simply doesn’t think of them as transfers anymore.
When told Saturday we had to wrap up questions, Rhule responded with, “I don’t want to get out there on time, so I’ll go as on as long as they want. What, I’m gonna watch them stretch?” (Shrugged, big laugh)
Outside of the Markway injury, Rhule has been in a really good mood - he really believes he finally has his team. Or at least I believe he believes that. (Chugging Kool-aid…with vodka.)

Michigan Wolverines 2025 Football Preview

2025-08-04T13:09:16-05:00

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

After suffering through a decade of Ohio State’s dominance on the football field, the 2020’s have been a Michigan fan’s dream. Three Big Ten titles and a national championship have a way of resetting your perspective. Of course, a bevy of NCAA violations that occurred under former head coach Jim Harbaugh cloud those trophies to all — except Michigan fans, of course. Harbaugh fled to the NFL in San Diego before any more sanctions could be applied to His Khakiness.

Sherrone Moore took over for Harbaugh last season after serving as interim Michigan head coach during His Khakiness’ suspensions during Michigan’s national championship season. (And yes, that’s suspensions, plural.) And not coincidentally, Moore will be suspended for Michigan’s game at Nebraska for his part of the Connor Stallions’ sign-stealing/illegal scouting scandal. Moore will also sit out the Central Michigan game.

That might have a small bearing on the quarterback race, where Fresno transfer Mikey Keene (5’11” 200 lbs.) and five-star true freshman Bryce Underwood (6’4” 208 lbs.) are likely to succeed junior Davis Warren (6’2” 195 lbs.). Warren completed 64% of his passes in seven starts last season, completing 64% of his passes for 1,199 yards and seven touchdowns, but with nine interceptions. Keene completed over 70% of his passes last season for 2,891 yards and 18 touchdowns with 11 interceptions at Fresno State. Underwood is almost certain to start at some point this season; the main question is whether it’s to open the season or later on. I suspect it’s unlikely that an interim coach will make the choice of installing Underwood as the starter, so if a healthy Keene starts against Oklahoma in week two, expect Keene to hold the job into October.

Michigan’s running back depth chart is a rebuild as well. Senior Justice Haynes (5’11” 205 lbs.) transferred from Alabama where he rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry last season. Sophomore Jordan Marshall (5’11” 210 lbs.) was mostly limited to kickoff returns until Michigan’s top two backs declared for the NFL in December. Against Alabama, Marshall rushed for 100 yards, breaking 12 tackles in the game and earning ReliaQuest Bowl MVP honors. Also on the depth chart are transfers John Volker (6’0” 215 lbs.), an honorable mention All-Ivy honoree at Princeton, and CJ Hester (5’11” 190 lbs.) from UMass.

The receiving corps gets a boost from Indiana transfer Donoven McCulley (6’5” 200 lbs.), an honorable-mention All-Big Ten honoree with Indiana in 2023 where he caught 48 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns, and UMass transfer Anthony Simpson (5’11” 180 lbs.), who caught 57 passes for 793 yards and three touchdowns in 2023. Junior Fredrick Moore (6’1” 181 lbs.) caught 11 passes for 128 yards last season for the Wolverines while junior Samaj Morgan (5’11” 174 lbs.) caught 27 passes for 139. The tight end room returns intact with senior Max Bredeson (6’2” 240 lbs.), an NFL prospect as a blocker and junior Marlin Klein (6’6” 255 lbs.), who caught 13 passes for 108 yards. Better talent...and a better passer at quarterback should spark Michigan’s passing attack.

Three starters return on Michigan’s offensive line, which has been pretty strong the last few seasons: senior left guard Giovanni El-Hadi (6’5” 310 lbs.), senior center Greg Crippen (6’4” 309 lbs.) and sophomore left tackle Evan Link (6’6” 328 lbs). Transfer right guard Lawrence Hattar (6’5” 335 lbs.) was a division 2 All-American at national champion Ferris State last season. Just don’t see much, if any, slipping up front with the Michigan offensive line.

It’s a bit of a rebuilding year with Michigan’s defensive line after losing three starters in the NFL draft. Senior defensive end Derrick Moore (6’3” 256 lbs.) had 23 tackles last season and has 11 career sacks. Senior nose tackle Damon Payne (6’4” 303 lbs.) was a five-star recruit who had 30 tackles in his career at Alabama before transferring to Michigan this off-season.

Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann (6’2” 235 lbs.) led Michigan with 89 tackles (five for a loss) last season at weakside linebacker. Senior Jaishawn Barnam (6’3” 248 lbs.) was second with 66 tackles after transferring from Maryland, where he was a two year starter and a freshman All-American. This should be one of the Big Ten’s best linebacking corps.

A solid secondary returns with a lot of experience. Ju’0nior Zeke Berry (5’11’ 196 lbs.) shifts to corner from nickel, where he led the Wolverines with nine pass breakups and two interceptions. Sophomore cornerback Jyaire Hill was second with eight pass breakups. Senior safety Rod Moore (6’0” 198 lbs.) missed 2024 with an ACL injury, but previously was a two-year starter with 141 tackles and six interceptions in his career. Arkansas transfer TJ Metcalf (6’1” 200 lbs.) had 57 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions last season.

If Nebraska and Michigan take care of business the first couple of weeks, you can’t help but wonder if ESPN might be looking to bring College Gameday to Lincoln for this matchup. The only other marquee matchup would be Florida at Miami-Florida, though Indiana/Illinois could be a sneaky pick as well. This has a chance to be a statement game for Matt Rhule’s team, airing in the CBS late afternoon premier timeslot. (Great for fans, who can easily tailgate both BEFORE and AFTER The game, especially if they have a TV at their tailgate.)

Is Nebraska ready for the spotlight in 2025?

Corn Flakes: Are You Ready for Year Three Under Matt Rhule?

2025-08-04T08:15:50-05:00

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Plus, the history of the word “dude”

Happy August! We’ve made it through the throes of the offseason. Now, there is training camp fodder to follow and Kool-Aid to drink.

How are you feeling? Optimistic? Nervous about having your heart broken again? Both?

Corn Flakes

Dave Feit's Greatest Huskers by the Numbers: 25 - George Sauer
The Husker legend who did everything, plus the 1996 Big 12 Championship Game.

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The sophomore wide receiver set a program record with 55 catches as a true freshman.

Wilson Wins High Jump Gold at USATF Championships - University of Nebraska - Official Athletics Website

Sports!

Inside the world of professional cornhole, and what it takes to be a player : NPR
The American Cornhole League hosts its championship tournament in South Carolina. The league's chief strategy officer, Trey Ryder, spoke to Morning Edition about the sport's growing popularity

Astros reliever Neris intentionally balks runner to 3rd, then shouts at Red Sox | AP News
Houston Astros reliever Héctor Neris used a balk to advance a runner to third, then had an exchange with Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson that led to a dustup between the teams.

NASCAR results: William Byron wins Iowa race, holds off Chase Briscoe
William Byron nursed his car to the finish line at Iowa Speedway as the whole team held its breath there was enough fuel to take the checkered flag.

Noah Lyles shoved by Kenny Bednarek after his win in 200 meters at US nationals | AP News
Track turned into a contact sport when sprinter Kenny Bednarek shoved Noah Lyles after Lyles beat him to the finish line in the 200-meter final at U.S. championships.

Then There's This

A shocking record: Lightning bolt stretched 515 miles, crossed three states
A true ‘bolt from the blue’

Hot dog spill shuts down highway in Pennsylvania commuters' wurst nightmare - ABC News
A truckload of hot dogs has spilled across a Pennsylvania highway after a crash, clogging the road toward the end of the morning rush hour

Dude, the history behind the word dude is wild : NPR
The word "dude" is often associated with the '80s and '90s. But its origin is rooted much, much farther back in American history and it took a long and winding road to reach the coast of California.

College Football React: Who Will Win the Big 10 in 2025?

2025-08-03T08:03:00-05:00

Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Hint: it’s not much of a surprise. Scroll down to see the results for the Big 10 and the rest of the Power Four.

With practice starting but not too much new or shocking info coming out of mouths at the pressers, we need to keep our CFB minds fine-tuned and our thirst for info fed. The mothership therefore decided to roll out some polls to let everyone know who you guys think will be hanging conference title banners when the 2025 conference championship games have concluded.

Read, enjoy and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

SBNation

No shocker here as the Bucknuts are the heavy favorite with their 39% easily outdistancing Penn St’s 20%. Our beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers came in 5th with 5%, which, if we’re being honest, is probably more of a testament to our fans ability to show up for internet polls (you know that, @KirkHerbstreit, amirite?), than a widespread belief in a major Huskers leap.

SBNation

Texas and Georgia finish 1-2 at 31% and 22% respectively and are widely seen at the top two. Both start new quarterbacks and replace four starting offensive linemen, so this may not be the done deal it appears. I’ll give Georgia the edge since QB Gunner Stockton has already been tested in the fires of the SEC title game and the CFP. He also has a name which is just college football as hell.

SBNation

If fan polls mean anything, then this is the race to follow this season. Damn - the top five are separated by only 4 percentage points. Look out for rage comments from Deion sycophants, ESPN reporters who can’t seem to acknowledge any other programs or coaches or The Hills Have Eyes crowd from Boulder since the React boys failed to include Colorado.

SBNation

And the opposite of the Big 12 race would be the ACC where Clemson grabbed nearly half the votes. Despite the perceived lack of suspense, don’t sleep on the absolute comedy of Florida State grabbing the 2nd-most votes following a 2-10 season which was highlighted by a solo dead-last finish in the conference race.

Nebraska Fan Reacts Survey: What’s the Most Important Game of 2025?

2025-08-02T08:03:00-05:00

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Reasons didn’t need to be explained, just pop the button on the one which meant the most to you. And the winner was a little bit of a surprise which made complete sense.

We are mere weeks away from kickoff, which will take place in Arrowhead Stadium against Cincinnati. The last time the Nebraska Cornhuskers took the field a few hours south down I-29 was in the 2006 Big 12 title game, a game which they lost 21-7. They outgained the Sooners 366-307, but never really challenged due to 5 turnovers (3 Zac Taylor picks and 2 lost fumbles) to only one for the Sooners.

The question posed this week was which 2025 game did Husker fans deem the most important? The winner? Well, it’s also the answer to the question of why did I talk so much about the Arrowhead game in the paragraph above?

SBNation

There you go - 32% of you went for the Cincinnati Bearcats opener in KC. Many might have felt the same way as the tweeter who said something along the lines of, “Cincinnati because it’s the next game. Then Akron, then…” You get the idea.
Michigan and Iowa were neck & neck at 25% and 24% respectively. Michigan would be a win over one of the lords of the conference and likely a ranked team as well and when’s the last time that happened? (I’m not looking it up.)

I thought Iowa would be higher being they and their miserable fans are the dirt of the earth shat upon by a multitude of various barnyard beasts. The only explanation is the fans here are far less petty than me and voted with their heads.

I thought the Nitta-ninnies would come in higher than 11% since a victory over the Jo-Pa’s would have college football earth-shaking implications, but they appear to have have slid somewhat from our memories since their last meeting, a 30-23 Huskers victory in Covid 2020
Sam Keller was under center for the 49-31 loss the last time the Trojans travelled to Lincoln and he threw for nearly 400 yards, a goodly chunk after the Huskers trailed 42-10 before the end of the 3rd quarter.

The 8% indicates no one seems too thirsty for revenge after either that game or last year’s 28-20 defeat sealed by yet another missed blatant pass interference call. NEVER FORGET!

Nebraska Football Needs Developmental Players to Make a Leap in 2025

2025-08-01T12:22:02-05:00

Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Fall camp is underway in Lincoln, and as always, optimism is in the air. Players are passing the eyeball test, the roster looks the part, and the program is entering a pivotal third year under Matt Rhule. This is the season where his culture, system, and player development philosophy must begin producing real results.

Rhule’s approach—recruiting high-upside athletes and molding them into contributors—has worked before. Now, with both stars and sleepers on the roster, Nebraska needs its developmental players to step forward if it hopes to break through.

Offensive Players to Watch

Turner Corcoran – OL, Senior

Once a crown jewel in Nebraska’s recruiting efforts, Corcoran’s career has been a frustrating story of potential hampered by injury and inconsistency. Now entering his senior season, he should shift inside to guard—a move that better suits his skill set. With nothing to lose and everything to prove, this fall could be his last chance to make an impact. If he stays healthy and locks down a starting job, Nebraska’s interior offensive line could become a quiet strength.

Thank you, Go Big Red #committed #GBR pic.twitter.com/yCUOtcGi3A
— Turner Corcoran (@turnercorcoran) April 13, 2019

Heinrich Haarberg – ATH, Junior

One of the best athletes on the team, Haarberg’s raw tools are undeniable. He’s a long strider with breakaway speed, and while his stint at quarterback showed flashes, passing consistency was never his strong suit. Now fully transitioned to tight end, Haarberg could become a matchup nightmare if he embraces the physicality of the position. With NFL measurables and versatility, this season is his audition for the next level—and Nebraska could reap the benefits.

Henrich Haarberg threw down the winning dunk in the annual @HuskerFootball Dunk Contest ‼️#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/HdFC3sXtaf
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 31, 2025

Janiran Bonner – WR, Junior

With transfers like Nyziah Hunter and Dane Key stealing the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook Bonner. But the junior wideout has tools of his own—speed, size, and a willingness to do the dirty work. He’s bounced around positionally in past seasons, trying to find a fit, but 2025 presents a clear runway. If Bonner can carve out a consistent role and take advantage of mismatches, Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen won’t hesitate to get him involved. At a position where development has been slow, Bonner has the chance to flip the script.

Defensive Players on the Brink

DeShon Singleton – S, Senior

Physically, Singleton looks the part of an NFL safety. But in reality, he still needs to put consistent tape together to draw serious next-level interest. The Huskers need him to be more than just a physical presence—they need a playmaker. If he can avoid mental lapses and bring a ball-hawking edge to the secondary, he could help transform a defense that gave up too many explosive plays a season ago.

There goes that man, ‼️ pic.twitter.com/s2mlMlmdcO
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) May 12, 2025

Cameron Lenhardt – EDGE, Sophomore

It’s rare to see a freshman flash early and then disappear quietly into the depth chart. That’s where Lenhardt finds himself heading into year three. But with Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher gone, Nebraska desperately needs someone to win on the edge with just a four-man rush. Lenhardt has had a full offseason to add weight and refine his game—now it’s time to produce. If he gets rolling early, his burst off the edge could be exactly what this defense needs.

. @CameronLenhardt and @hoodiiewill have earned Freshman All-American honors

https://t.co/PBlQ5i38VM #GBR x #WhatsNExt! pic.twitter.com/l1cX3v4uEs
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) December 8, 2023

Javin Wright – LB/DB, Senior

Wright’s Nebraska journey has been long and winding, marked by injuries and a rotating cast of roles. Now, entering his final season, he may finally be in the right place at the right time. A hybrid defender with high football IQ, Wright brings versatility and leadership to a defense that lacks proven stars. He may never be the flashiest guy on the field, but if he becomes a consistent disruptor, he can help this unit take the next step—particularly on third down, where Nebraska struggled to get off the field in 2024.

The Verdict

On paper, Nebraska has the tools for a breakthrough season. The schedule is manageable, the roster is deeper than it’s been in years, and Matt Rhule’s cultural imprint is finally fully embedded. But this team will go only as far as its developmental players take it.

If guys like Corcoran, Haarberg, and Singleton can make the leap from potential to production—and if the newcomers stay healthy and perform—the difference between another 7–5 campaign and a 10–2 dark horse College Football Playoff run isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.

Great teams don’t rely solely on stars—they have depth, development, and no weak links. Nebraska’s mission this fall is clear: build a team where the drop-off between starters and backups is minimal. That’s the Rhule formula, and in year three, it’s go time.

Husker Wrestling: Jordan Burroughs Anchors Nebraska’s All-Time Dual Team

2025-08-01T10:00:00-05:00

Former Husker Jordan Burroughs, seen here celebrating his gold-medal win at the Olympics in 2012, was an easy choice for this team. The only question is — which weight class? | Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images

Nebraska’s all-time dual squad has combined for seven NCAA titles, 13 NCAA finals appearances, and 27 total All-American finishes

I thought it would be a cool idea to pick Nebraska’s all-time best wrestler at each weight. Over the years, the weight classes have changed some, so I’m taking some liberties in filling out this lineup with guys who wrestled close to the current weight classes.

Nebraska has had 12 wrestlers win a total of 13 NCAA titles — just five of them made this dual team — five of them were at 125 pounds or their era’s equivalent, making it the only weight where Nebraska has had more than one NCAA Champion.

If you added up the team points that these ten guys scored at the NCAA Championships in their best seasons (using today’s scoring), it’s 217.5 total points — Bill Scherr’s title run in 1984 leads the pack at 27.5 points, while Jordan Burroughs scored 27 at 165 pounds in 2011 (he scored 25.5 in 2009 at 157 pounds).

I’m including some honorable mentions, but here's the all-time Husker dual squad — it’s a salty bunch — Nebraska has had at least one NCAA finalist at every weight class in its history.

Of note, I’m making my decisions on collegiate results, but these guys’ international accolades will be noted.

Nebraska’s All-Time Dual Squad

125 pounds

Mike Nissen (‘63 NCAA Champ at 123 pounds)

This is the weight that was the most difficult to decide on — Nebraska has five NCAA Champions at the weight (or close to it), but no multi-time winners. Mike Nissen (1963 at 123), Jason Kelber (1991 at 126), Tony Purler (1993 at 126), Jason Powell (2004) and Paul Donahoe (2007) have all won national titles as Huskers.

I decided to go with Nissen — Nebraska’s first NCAA Champion — for this team. He’s tied for second in school history for career win percentage (90.6%) with a 48-5 record — he had a perfect 36-0 career dual record.

As a sophomore, he went 12-2 as a backup. As a junior, Nissen went 17-2 and finished third at NCAAs. As a senior, he went 19-1 while winning an NCAA title — in that run, Nissen scored 23 points (third most on this list at a single tournament) at the NCAA tournament, including a win via pinfall in the final.

Nebraska didn’t have another NCAA Champion for 21 years after Nissen — that’s another Big reason why he makes this all-time Nebraska squad.

133 pounds

Gil Sanchez (‘87 NCAA Finalist at 134 pounds)

Putting together one of the best single seasons of any Husker ever, Gil Sanchez was on a tear in 1986-87. He recorded Nebraska’s most-ever wins in a season with his 46-3 record, and he made it to the NCAA final where he lost to John Smith of Oklahoma State — Smith went on to win six Olympic/World titles for Team USA before guiding Oklahoma State to five NCAA team titles as a head coach. All three losses for Sanchez that year came at the hands of Smith.

Coincidentally, Sanchez was the last person to beat Smith in college — a 13-6 decision in a dual in Lincoln that season in 1987. Sanchez was 18-0 in duals that year and ended the season with 14 wins via pinfall and 15 more via tech fall.

For his career, Sanchez finished fourth on the all-time Nebraska charts in career wins via fall (technical or pinfall) with 50 — 27 pins and 23 techs.

In his run to the finals in 1987, Sanchez racked up 18.5 team points for Nebraska.

141 pounds

Brock Hardy (2025 NCAA finalist)

A senior-to-be this season, Brock Hardy is already the best 141-pounder the Huskers have ever had. A three-time All-American, Hardy was a Big Ten Champion this past year and an NCAA finalist. He’s finished sixth, third and second at the national tournament.

Getty Images

Nebraska’s Brock Hardy

During his run to the finals this past season, Hardy scored bonus points in his first three matches before an 11-4 win over UNI’s Cael Happel in the semifinal round. Hardy went on to lose to Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez, now a two-time NCAA champion, 12-9 in the finals. Hardy scored 20.5 team points at the tournament, including 4.5 bonus points, to help Nebraska finish as runners-up.

With another year to cement himself in Husker history, Hardy still must go through Mendez who beat him in the last two NCAA tournaments. Hardy did get his first win over Mendez in the Big Ten semifinal before winning his title this year. Having beaten Mendez before, this year will be key — Hardy and Mendez could see each other as many as four times this season.

In addition, Hardy has a chance to be Nebraska’s 30th wrestler to win 100 matches in his career — he’s 86-24 going into this season after going 27-4 last year.

Honorable Mention: Matt Murray (NCAA finalist in 2004)

149 pounds

Ridge Lovett (2025 NCAA Champion)

Ridge Lovett just capped off a college career the best way possible in 2025 — he won a Big Ten title and an NCAA title at 149 pounds, becoming Nebraska’s first national champion since Jordan Burroughs won in 2011 — ending a 14-year drought.

Photo by Isaac Wasserman/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Nebraska’s Ridge Lovett (right)

Lovett ended his career with a 101-21 record — becoming the 29th member of the 100-win Club at Nebraska — but that doesn’t tell the whole story. After being pressed into action as a true freshman down a weight at 133 pounds, Lovett ran a gauntlet of past and future champions to a 16-8 record on the year. Lovett qualified for NCAAs, but the tournament was cancelled for Covid. He then went 9-3 in the Covid-shortened season of 2021 up at 149, failing to place at NCAAs.

After that, he went 23-4 as a sophomore (again), falling to eventual four-time NCAA Champion Yianni Diakomihalis in the final to place second. Lovett then redshirted in 2022-23 before returning to place sixth in 2024 after making it to the semifinal round at NCAAs.

Lovett returned with a vengeance in 2024-25 for his senior season where he went 25-2, winning both conference and national titles. At NCAAs, Lovett scored 22.5 team points to help vault the Huskers to their best-ever team finish.

The only Husker to ever win a title at 149 pounds, Lovett was the obvious choice here.

157 pounds

Bryan Snyder (2x NCAA finalist)

A four-time Big 12 Champion, Bryan Snyder finished as a two-time NCAA finalist and Nebraska’s first four-time All-American — finishing fourth, fifth, second and second at the national tournament from 1999-2002.

Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Current Associate Head Coach Bryan Snyder (center) was one of the greatest Huskers ever on the mat as well.

With a 136-11 career record, Snyder still holds the highest winning percentage in Nebraska history (.925) and the third-most career wins. In duals, he went 69-4, good for second-best behind Nissen’s undefeated dual record.

After winning two Big 12 titles and securing All-American honors in both of his first two seasons, Snyder jumped levels with the arrival of Head Coach Mark Manning. As a junior in 2000-01, Snyder went 28-2 with another Big 12 title and a runner-up finish at NCAAs at 157 pounds. As a senior, Snyder went 33-1 with his only loss in overtime in the NCAA final to Minnesota’s Luke Becker.

A guy who lost two NCAA finals in overtime, Snyder is considered one of the best in NCAA wrestling history not to win a national title. In 2002, Snyder scored 21 team points after scoring 20 in 2001.

As the current associate head coach at Nebraska, Snyder won the Terry McCann Coach of the Year Award in 2017 and has coached a number of wrestlers to National Championship and All-American finishes in college and World and Olympic medals in freestyle.

Honorable Mentions: Four-time All-American and current assistant coach James Green (2011-15), 2019 NCAA finalist and three-time All-American Tyler Berger (2015-19), and current junior-to-be Antrell Taylor, already an NCAA Champion this year. Green went 129-22 in his career (5th most wins all-time at Nebraska), while Berger went 116-32 (10th on the all-time career chart at Nebraska). Taylor brings a 50-14 career record into his junior season after going 27-4 as a sophomore.

165 pounds

Jordan Burroughs (2x NCAA Champion)

The best of the bunch for the Huskers, Burroughs put together a 128-20 career record — good for 6th on the all-time Husker win chart.

Getty Images

Jordan Burroughs

But it isn’t his record that sets him apart, it’s what he became after a shaky freshman season at 149 pounds. Burroughs finished that year with a 16-13 record and went 1-2 at NCAAs. The next year, Burroughs went on to finish third at 149 pounds, finishing the year with a 34-6 record.

As a junior at 157 pounds in 2009, Burroughs went a perfect 35-0 on the way to his first NCAA title. The following year, he went 7-1 with his only loss one where he suffered multiple ligament tears in his knee — he still finished the match but lost a 3-2 decision in overtime before medically redshirting.

Burroughs rebounded in 2011 as a senior, putting together another perfect season — this time up at 165 pounds. Burroughs went 36-0, won his second NCAA title and earned the Hodge Trophy, given to the most dominant wrestler each season. Burroughs is still the only Husker to have won it.

In that season, Burroughs didn’t surrender a single takedown while recording a Husker record 132 dual takedowns in 19 dual matches. At NCAAs, he scored 27 team points after scoring 25.5 in 2009 — the second and third best individual NCAA tournament performances in Husker history.

As good as Burroughs was for the Huskers, he kept getting better after graduating — he eventually became arguably the best American wrestler of all time. Burroughs won an Olympic gold medal in 2012 while adding six World Championships as well (in addition to three World bronze medals) — the most World/Olympic gold medals ever won by an American.

After taking this year off, Burroughs recently announced that he’s not retiring from freestyle wrestling and will be back in 2026.

174 pounds

Robert Kokesh (3x All-American)

A former Husker assistant coach and the new head coach of the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center, Robert Kokesh was great for the Huskers from 2010-2015, earning three All-American honors and winning two conference titles.

Welcome back to Lincoln, @kokesh174!

We’re excited to announce that Robert Kokesh will return to Nebraska as NWTC Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/q8l9XfLJLT
— Nebraska Wrestling (@HuskerWrestling) July 7, 2025

After redshirting and going 34-1 (redshirt years do not count toward a wrestler’s career record), Kokesh put together four of the best years by a Husker but failed to win an elusive NCAA title.

As a freshman at 165, Kokesh went 30-7 while finishing third at Big Tens. Then as a sophomore, Kokesh moved up to 174 and went 38-4 while finishing third at both Big Tens and NCAAs.

As a junior, Kokesh went 37-3 and won an individual Big Ten title before finishing fourth at NCAAs, earning three wins in the consolation bracket with a torn ACL. Lastly, as a senior, Kokesh went 39-1, winning a second Big Ten crown. Kokesh went into the NCAA tournament undefeated but was upset in the quarters by 8-seed Tyler Wilps of Pitt. Kokesh wrestled back with four straight wins to finish third.

Kokesh sits at No. 2 on the Huskers’ career wins list with a 144-15 record. His .906 win percentage is the second best in school history as well.

Honorable Mentions: Jim Scherr (1984 NCAA Champion), Corey Olson (1992 and ‘93 NCAA finalist) and Mikey Labriola (2023 NCAA finalist). Scherr' was a two-time All-American and had a 109-25-4 record, while Olson went 115-28 in his career — he currently sits at #2 on Nebraska’s all-time charts with 63 wins via pinfall. Labriola went 120-28 in his Husker career, capturing four All-American finishes including a run to both the Big Ten and NCAA finals as a senior when he went 30-2 — he fell to eventual five-time NCAA Champion Carter Starocci of Penn State in both those matches.

184 pounds

TJ Dudley (2016 NCAA finalist)

Wrestling at 184 pounds, TJ Dudley was a four-year starter for the Huskers from 2013-2017. The three-time All-American, Dudley was also a Big Ten finalist and an NCAA finalist in 2016.

Getty Images

Nebraska’s TJ Dudley (right)

After finishing in 8th place at NCAAs as a sophomore in 2015, Dudley made it all the way to the Big Ten and NCAA final as a junior. However, Dudley fell to Iowa’s Sammy Brooks 6-4 in the conference final before beating him at the NCAA tournament in the quarterfinal round. Dudley then fell to 1-seed Gabe Dean of Cornell 5-3 in the NCAA final.

In 2017, Dudley couldn’t get past eventual three-time NCAA Champion Bo Nickal of Penn State, falling to the Nittany Lion at both Big Tens and NCAAs. Dudley finished third at NCAAs though, pinning Brooks in the 3rd-place match to cap off an impressive collegiate career.

Dudley finished with a 114-31 career record at Nebraska, good enough for No. 11 on the Huskers’ all-time career wins list. He was recently named the new head coach at Campbell.

Former Husker gets a head coaching gig. Pretty cool.

Currently working on building @HuskerWrestling all-time dual squad, and (spoiler) NCAA finalist TJ Dudley will be on the team at 184. https://t.co/8P7vq8LJdC
— Dylan Guenther (@DguenthWrestle) July 26, 2025

197 pounds

Bill Scherr (‘84 NCAA Champ at 190 pounds)

One of Nebraska’s most dominant champions ever was Bill Scherr who went 36-1 as a senior to win an NCAA title at 190 pounds. He was Nebraska’s first-ever 100-win wrestler, ending his career with a 133-18 mark.

In 1984, Bill Scherr and his brother Jim Scherr both won NCAA titles, marking the first time Nebraska had two national champions in the same season. In duals, Bill Scherr went 71-9 as a Husker and still sits atop the program career chart for dual wins.

In that ‘84 NCAA Tournament, Bill Scherr scored the most-ever team points by a Husker to this day — 27.5 points. Scherr won his matches 26-8 via tech, 4:59 by pin, 2:42 by pin, 20-6 by major decision, and 13-4 by major in the finals over Oregon State’s Jim Baumgardner.

A three-time conference champion, Bill Scherr finished as an All-American at NCAAs three times — 4th as a sophomore, 3rd as a junior and 1st as a senior.

Internationally in freestyle, Bill Scherr won a World Championship in 1985 at 90 kg before moving up to 100 kg where he won an Olympic bronze medal, two World silver medals and a World bronze.

285 pounds

Tolly Thompson (‘95 NCAA Champion)

Tolly Thompson turned in one of the greatest careers Nebraska wrestling has ever seen. A two-time runner-up in high school, Thompson flourished in college for the Huskers, earning an NCAA title and three conference championships. The three-time All-American is Nebraska’s all-time leader in career wins with his 157-21 record, topping No. 2 Robert Kokesh (144) by 13 victories. Boasting the fourth-best win percentage all-time at Nebraska (.882), Thompson also holds the career record for wins by fall with 72 (53 pins, 19 techs).

Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images

The 1995 individual NCAA Champions in wrestling with Tolly Thompson in the upper right.

As a redshirt freshman in 1993-94, Thompson secured the most wins ever by a Husker freshman with his 38-13 record.

Thompson put together one of the best seasons ever for Nebraska as a sophomore in 1994-95, finishing with a 36-2 record while winning conference and NCAA championships.

In 1995-96, he went 42-2 record (4th most ever in a single season in Nebraska history). The Husker heavyweight won another conference title before placing third at NCAAs.

Thompson became Nebraska’s all-time leader in wins during his senior season with his 41-4 record. His school record of 157 career wins will likely never be beaten considering the fact that wrestlers don’t wrestle as many matches as they did in the 90s.

Internationally, Thompson went on to represented Team USA on two World Teams, taking home the bronze medal in 2005.

Friday Flakes: When Will Costco Start Selling Nebraska Football Tickets?

2025-08-01T08:01:00-05:00

C. A. Bridges / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It is only a matter of time.

Soon you will drop in to Costco to buy some paper towels, dog treats and a rotisserie chicken. But before you can throw any of the Kirkland brand products into your cart you will be greeted by two guys who want to sell you their new cell phone plan.

You pass on by and give a nice wave and hope they don’t try and ask you any questions.

Then there she. It’s a woman with a nice smile and she waves you down. Is she trying to sell you a set of pans? Nope. This woman is trying to sell you a package of Nebraska football tickets for the upcoming football season.

What year is it? 2025? Nope.

Maybe 2030. Maybe 2040?

It is coming. In fact, South Carolina who is doing it for the upcoming 2025 season. They are selling ticket packages at Costco.

Costco selling discounted 2 ticket packages for South Carolina, Purdue, Louisville, Virginia, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Tulane, UConn, Louisiana, Western Michigan, Kennesaw State & Idaho home games. Varies b/w $49.99 to $99.99. Some include $20 food/beverage credit or parking pass pic.twitter.com/DG8bitq5HA
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 31, 2025

So what year will this happen for Nebraska? Will Costco keep the sell out streak going? Maybe Sam’s Club?

SPORTS! SPORTS! JORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS!

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“STICK TO SPORTS!” Nah.

Japan’s thinnest apartment

SupercarBlondie

pic.twitter.com/qDkgt3LEmH
— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) July 27, 2025

Like a normal tubing day on the lake with the guys, right @nosheephere1 pic.twitter.com/op0ADvqA2W
— Cassie Cynical (@TuckerPoodleMA) July 27, 2025