One of the big topics over the last couple of weeks has been identifying which position group needs to improve the most going into the 2026 season. It’s not unusual for people to call out the offensive line. Others quickly point out the defensive line and how they got pushed around last season. That one is hard to argue. Still, others will tell you it all starts at the quarterback position, and they are anxious to see what that room can do. And don’t forget the running backs. Go ahead, just pick your position.
For me I’m old school. You’ll hear me say, “Defense wins championships.” Why is that such an old wore out cliché? Because it’s true. Looking back at the 1983 Huskers, the ‘Scoring Explosion’, they ran all over everybody, scored three touchdowns in every quarter while putting 84 points on Minnesota. Yet Miami beat the Huskers in the national championship game 31-30. Speaking of Miami, it was defense that carried the Hurricanes to the national championship game against Indiana this past season.
Defense, defense, defense. Yes, the Huskers will need to score points, but it’ll be the defense that must step up if the Huskers are to have success in 2026. The difference this season, Brown and Manning will get the defensive line in sync with the linebacker play, something that was non-existent last season. Plus, the one area the Huskers needed to improve their talent the most was at linebacker.
It’s part of why Matt Rhule hired defensive coordinator Rob Aurich and let him completely revamp the staff, bringing in defensive line coach Corey Brown, edge coach Roy Manning, and safeties coach Tyler Yelk. Oh, and don’t forget, Aurich coach’s linebackers. He’ll team up with returning linebacker coach Rob Dvoracek. Throw in cornerback coach Addison Williams and you have two experienced coaches at all three levels.
Aurich is known for building defenses that emphasize effort and physicality. He has a quality of being able to adapt to his player’s strengths and sees the linebackers as the heart of his defense. His scheme relies heavily on the second level, requiring them to play downhill, move laterally, and diagnose plays quickly. Which means finding guys that play with urgency and have natural instincts. Give him players with those qualities and let him develop them and you’ll get players like linebacker Owen Chambliss.
Following Aurich from San Deigo State, Chambliss, who was the fourth highest-graded linebacker in the portal this offseason was First Team All-Mountain West and was the Aztec’s leading tackler, logging 110 tackles last season with 9.5 for losses and 4 sacks. He was the new DC’s first addition, with good reason, coming to Lincoln with two years of eligibility remaining. The 6’3” 230-pound ball-hawk creates havoc and, in my opinion, is the biggest get on the defensive side of the ball.
Adding Chambliss was critical due to his familiarity with Aurich’s defensive system. He’s played in 25 games with 20 starts. Acquiring him was a big win for the Huskers and he will be the centerpiece that Aurich builds his defense around. He will undoubtedly be a candidate to wear the green dot, and he’ll be a key part of familiarizing his teammates with the new 4-2-5 scheme.
With a scheme that uses two linebackers, there is a good chance Vincent Shavers Jr. will line up next to Chambliss. Shavers is the real deal, the 6’1”, 225-pounder is the team’s second leading tackler from last season. He’s played in 26 games with 14 starts in the last two seasons. In the 2025 season he recorded 61 stops, 7.5 TFLs, and had 1 forced fumble. The hit causing the fumble came in the opener against Cincinnati at a time when it was needed. He finished the season strong with nine tackles against Utah in the bowl game.
Another top acquisition out of the portal was Dexter Foster who spent the last two seasons at Oregon State. He was recruited by Aurich out of high school before signing with the Beavers. In 19 career games, he earned 11 career starts, totaling 95 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 pass breakup. At 6’3”, 235-pounds, Foster has Big Ten size, plays physical, and looks to bolster the Blackshirts run defense. He started the first 7 games of 2025 before sustaining a season ending knee injury. Before the injury he logged 52 tackles, and 3 TFLs. It remains to be seen how active he is in the spring after the injury. He has 2 years of eligibility remaining.
Chambliss and Foster added size and experience, but the Huskers also added depth with Will Hawthorne. Nebraska went hard after Hawthorn out of high school, and he was close to signing with the Huskers, however he ended up at Iowa State. He arrives at Nebraska after using his redshirt during the 2025 season. The 6’2” 225-pound linebacker has the physical tools and competitive edge that fits well in Aurich’s system. Before going to Iowa State Hawthorne was one of the most decorated players in Iowa. He was considered a top-70 inside linebacker nationally by ESPN. He’ll see action early and work in the rotation as he grows into a larger role. As a player Hawthorne is a strong tackler, has good instincts, and the ability to shed blocks.
Considered to be one of the most athletic linebackers on the squad is Dawson Merritt. At 6’3”, 225-pounds he has excellent speed and a good understanding of the game. As a true freshman he played in 8 games and started 2 for a total of 106 snaps. He battled injuries throughout the season and didn’t play after the Northwestern game. He’ll be slowed in the spring due to injury and won’t be back until summer.
While I’ve listed what I consider the top five linebackers in the rotation there are players who are sure to see playing time. Do not count out Jacob Bower 6’1”, 220-pounds, Christian Jones 6’2”, 235-pounds, Pierce Mooberry 6’3”, 220-pounds, and freshman Jase Reynolds 6’2”, 206-pounds. Players who will also see action on special teams are Gage Stegner, Derek Wacker, and Trent Uhlir.
Of the twelve players listed as linebackers on the roster there is only one senior. It’s a young group with a ton of potential waiting to be developed. Enter Rob Aurich, “How Simple can we make it for the guys? How fast can we get them to play? And how much violence can we create on the football field?”
The newest Blackshirts mantra, SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
GO BIG RED!!
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal
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