Year 4 of the Matt Rhule era arrives with familiar optimism mixed with higher stakes. After back-to-back 7-6 seasons and consecutive bowl appearances, the floor has risen in Lincoln. The roster is deeper; the once-youngest roster in the B1G is now one of the most experienced, and a new defensive scheme under coordinator Rob Aurich is being installed. Yet questions remain. Plus the toughest schedule yet for Rhule, featuring home dates with Indiana and Ohio State plus road trips to Oregon and Iowa, means the Huskers can’t afford slow starts or prolonged position battles. With camp opening in early August, the time for projections is now. Here’s our early look at who I expect to be listed as the starters when the Huskers take the field in September.
Quarterback
Starter: Anthony Colandrea
Anthony Colandrea is far and away the best quarterback on the roster and the clear starter. The senior transfer from UNLV, the 2025 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, brings proven production that fits perfectly with Dana Holgorsen’s scheme. The real competition is for the backup role. Both sophomore TJ Lateef and redshirt sophomore Daniel Kaelin have legitimate arguments to claim QB2. Lateef has the edge in system familiarity and recent game experience; Kaelin offers size and arm talent. Camp will decide who holds the clipboard, but neither is expected to seriously challenge Colandrea for the starting job.
Running Back
Starter: It’s complicated
This is the biggest question mark on offense, and truly anyone’s guess right now. With Emmett Johnson gone to the NFL, no one has a firm grip on the RB1 job. Expect a genuine competition through the first three games, with the winner locking down the starting role by Week 4. Tikey Hayes currently holds the most overall experience in the room as a late transfer addition, but Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson bring superior knowledge of the playbook and system after time in Lincoln. Freshman Jamal Rule and others will also get looks. A committee approach is likely early, but someone will eventually separate himself once the pads come on and the live reps accumulate.
Pass Catchers
Starters: Lindenmeyer, Bonner, Barney Jr, Hunter, and Gilmer
The starting wide receivers are pretty clear: Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr., and UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer form a talented and experienced trio that should give Colandrea reliable targets from day one. Hunter and Barney return as proven producers, while Gilmer adds Big Ten production and size. That said, look for sophomore Quinn Clark to see significant snaps inside the red zone; his size and catch radius make him a natural mismatch in scoring situations. Senior Janiran Bonner will also factor heavily as a hybrid WR/TE, giving the offense flexibility in personnel packages and creating matchup problems for defenses. Tight end Luke Lindenmeyer is the clear TE1 and a reliable safety valve.
Offensive Line
Starters: Pritchett, Mebenga, Evans, Black, Babalade
This unit is largely set in stone unless someone makes a dramatic jump or drop during camp. The projected starting five of Elijah Pritchett (LT), Paul Mubenga (LG), Justin Evans (C), Brendan Black (RG), and Tree Babalade (RT) combines experience, size, and portal upgrades that Rhule has already called the best of his tenure. The real intrigue is the second string. A group of younger players is expected to push hard for those backup roles and could see meaningful playing time this season as the Huskers look to develop depth against a demanding Big Ten schedule. Rotation and injury insurance will be critical, so watch the battles closely once practices begin in fall camp. These projections give Nebraska a high floor on offense. If the running back room settles quickly and the line holds up as expected, Colandrea and the skill players have the pieces to push this unit toward its ceiling.
This will be the best offense under Rhule and Holgorsen by a long shot. Nebraska has playmakers all over the field, and I expect the ball will be spread out pretty evenly. Colandrea has all the weapons he could ask for, and will make full use of them. I think Colandrea may even make a run at Nebraska’s single-season passing record (3,568 yards). The only true question when it comes to the offense is the run game, but I have a lot of faith in this new O-line and the coaching of Geep Wade and EJ Barthel. Overall, I think this will be the offense that fans have been waiting for, and I can’t wait to see what they do.