Every year, the successful programs in the Big Ten Conference field a number of players who end up being named to the All-Conference Teams. Ohio State had 16. Oregon had 12. Michigan had 9.
How many did Nebraska have? The answer is 1.
Defensive Lineman Ty Robinson was the only player for Nebraska that landed on an All-Conference Team, and he barely snuck in. Robinson had a terrific final season leading the Blackshirts and will likely find himself being drafted in the first 4 rounds of this year’s NFL draft. Had Nebraska finished the season with a better record, he may have found himself on the 2nd Team, and maybe then, there would’ve also been a few more Huskers present on the list.
What also might be true, is if there were more individual successes, Nebraska may have added another 2-3 wins. It works both ways.
What seems very clear is that individual successes lead to overall team success and vice versa. If Nebraska is to finish next year with an improved record, say 9-3, in the regular season, one could assume there are at least 3 players on the roster that would make an All-Conference Team.
Here are my predictions.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola
This is an obvious selection, but it’s incredibly difficult to leave Raiola off this list. National media members and fans across the country alike are already predicting the young Quarterback to have an impressive sophomore campaign. I wouldn’t go as far as putting Railoa in the Heisman conversation, like I’ve already heard some suggest, but there are real reasons to believe he could have an outstanding 2nd year.
The first reason Raiola is poised for a breakout year is his personal commitment to improvement. Like many already know, Raiola shares the same Private Quarterback Coach as Kansas City Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Raiola will spend his off-season developing with a similar methodology as Mahomes. That alone would lead you to believe there will be another jump as he perfects his craft. There is also loads of game film to analyze the areas where he prospered and where he fell short. Raiola has the tools and resources to be an improved version of himself next year.
Another reason he is set to be successful is the switch to Dana Holgorsen as Offensive Coordinator. Nebraska’s offense looked much more fluent when Holgorsen took over play calling duties from Marcus Satterfield late into the season. Holgorsen has a formidable resume calling plays, and Quarterbacks such as Graham Harrell, Case Keenum, Brandon Weeden and Geno Smith have all made careers in the NFL after playing in offenses led by Holgorsen. After it’s all said and done, I firmly believe the same will be true for Raiola.
The last reason Raiola will make an All-Conference Team in 2025 is because of the new additions to the roster. Nebraska’s new Wide Receiver Coach Daikiel Shorts has brought two of his own Wideouts from Kentucky. Veteran Dane Key, who is 5th all time at Kentucky in receiving yards, is now with Nebraska, as is former 4-Star Hardley Gilmore. Nebraska also signed former California Receiver Nyziah Hunter who had a very impressive Freshman year for the Golden Bears. Adding those playmakers to the ones Nebraska already brings back gives Raiola a variety of options to distribute the ball.
My 2025 prediction for Raiola is that he will throw for 27 Touchdowns, 3,500 Yards and eclipse 65% completion percentage. With these totals, I predict Raiola will find himself on 2nd Team All-Conference.
Defensive Back Ceyair Wright
When star Cornerback Tommi Hill went down with injury, it was unclear who in the Nebraska Defensive Back’s room would step up. The question was answered by Ceyair Wright. The former USC Trojan was a consistent presence out wide in a time of need for the Huskers. On the season, Wright recorded 39 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Interceptions and 6 Passes Defended. His biggest moment came in his return to USC where he took an interception back for a touchdown in front of family, friends and his old teammates and coaches. It was the brightest spotlight he’d been under all season, and he delivered. Not to mention that he also blocked a field goal in the game against USC.
I believe Ceyair Wright has the ‘IT’ factor that will help him be the best lockdown cornerback in the Big Ten. My 2025 prediction for Wright may be the boldest of them all. Wright will finish the season with 46 Tackles, 2 Forced Fumbles, 5 Interceptions, and 10 Passes Defended. These totals will land Wright on 1st Team All-Conference.
Edge Rusher Williams Nwaneri
Picking the 3rd breakout player was a tough decision, being that I would predict Nebraska to have more than three players on the All-Conference teams, but my gut told me to choose Williams Nwaneri. The former 5-Star Edge Rusher just finished his Freshman year with the Missouri Tigers and committed to Nebraska back in December. During his first year, Nwaneri didn’t get the opportunity to show his worth out on the field. That will not be the case with the Huskers.
Nwaneri’s commitment was massive given that Nebraska’s depth on the Defensive Line had been utterly depleted after the season. The Huskers lost Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler and James Williams. Nwaneri will without a doubt be thrusted into a starting role, and I suspect he will be more than ready for the challenge.
New Defensive Coordinator John Butler specializes primarily in the Defensive Back’s room, however, he is also a more aggressive play caller than former DC Tony White. Butler is expected to draw up more blitzes, and that will help Nwaneri be freed up and give him plenty of opportunities to beat his man off the ball.
My 2025 prediction for Nwaneri is that he will record 42 Tackles, 3 Forced Fumbles and 7 Sacks. Those totals will land him on the 3rd Team All-Conference.
Honorable Mentions
Running Back Emmett Johnson, Wide Receiver Dane Key, Wide Receiver Jocorey Barney Jr, Offensive Lineman Elijah Pritchett, Linebacker Marques Watson-Trent.