Position Group Overview
Quarterback (Grade: B)
Adrian Martinez transferred to Kansas State after becoming the school’s all-time leader in total offense last year. Although Martinez was incredibly dynamic with his legs, he was up-and-down throughout his career and struggled to provide Nebraska with a consistent pass game. With a couple key transfers and a talented returnee, Nebraska could end up with better production at the QB position.
Casey Thompson (4star #14DUAL ’18) transfers from Texas and is the favorite to start week 1. He started 10 games for the Longhorns in 2021, completing 63% of his passes for 2,113 yards, 24 TDs, and 9 INTs. He also added 157 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. Although Scott Frost is waiting to name a starter until as late as possible, he’s liked what he’s seen so far from Thompson. Given his experience and athleticism, he will likely get the first crack at leading this offense.
Chubba Purdy (4star #7DUAL ’20) transfers from Florida State as well. He’s started only 1 game in his two-year career, going 15-23 for 181 yards, 2 TDs, and 54 rush yards against UNC. Although his inability to see the field in a messy FSU offense may be a red flag, he has good size and physical tools.
Logan Smothers (4star #14DUAL ’20) is not a name to forget in this competition. He started the finale vs Iowa and performed admirably against a stout defense. Although they lost 28-21, he led TD drives of 75, 75, and 94 yards. Smothers finished 16-22 for 198 yards and an INT plus 64 yards and 2 TDs on the ground.
I think the close battle throughout fall camp will push these QBs to be better and benefit the Nebraska offense. It is very likely that 2 (or maybe all 3) of these QBs see significant time throughout the season. With an improved coaching staff and new offensive scheme, the Cornhuskers should get more consistency from the quarterback position despite the loss of Martinez.
Running Back (Grade: B-)
The running back room struggled to gain traction in 2021 with Martinez leading Nebraska in rush yards with 525. However, they return their top 4 backs and add a key transfer. With a lot of experience and talent, the Cornhuskers are hoping someone can emerge as the clear RB1.
Rahmir Johnson (3star #32RB ’19) was Nebraska’s second-leading rusher with 495 yards and 4 TDs on 4.4 ypc. He also added 16 receptions and 2 receiving touchdowns. Although a bit undersized, he is quick and dangerous in the open field.
Markese Stepp (4star #14RB ’18) transferred from USC after the 2020 season. In two season with the Trojans, he rushed for 472 yards and 6 TDs on 5.1 ypc. Last year with Nebraska, Stepp had 177 yards and 2 TDs. At 6′ 235lbs, he contrasts Johnson as a tough-nosed bruiser.
Gabe Ervin (3star #43RB ’21) could breakout in his second season. He had 124 yards and 2 TDs on 3.4 ypc but was lost early in the season vs Oklahoma. Jaquez Grant (walk-on ’20) is a name to watch after earning a scholarship ahead of the 2021 season. He picked up 294 yards on 6.3 ypc and is tough to bring down at 6’2″ 235lbs.
Finally, Nebraska adds the #1JUCO RB in Anthony Grant. He spent 2018-19 at Florida State where he thrived on special teams. He spent the last two seasons at the New Mexico Military Institute where he racked up 2,549 yards and 28 TDs. Grant helped lead NMMI to the national championship and was the 9th-ranked JUCO player from this past cycle.
While there is plenty of talent in this room, Nebraska’s run game won’t be able to thrive by rotating all 5 backs. The Huskers are hoping someone can emerge as the lead back, but it is hard to see a 1,000 yard rusher emerging from this group. Nonetheless, the experience and depth of this unit is sure to lead to improved numbers in 2022.
Receivers (Grade: B)
Nebraska loses its top 4 pass-catchers from the 2021 season, but they add 3 transfers and have a promising young prospect.
Wide Receiver
Omar Manning (4star #1WR ’20) is the top returner from last year, hauling in 26 receptions for 380 yards and a couple TDs. At 6’4″, Manning could thrive in 2021 by stretching the field.
Oliver Martin (4star #29WR ’17) has made a few stops at Big Ten schools throughout his career. He spent 2017-18 at Michigan then transferred to Iowa for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In those four years he totaled 21 receptions. Martin transferred to Nebraska for the 2021 season and showed a lot of promise in the season opener by putting up 6 receptions for 103 yards and a TD. But he sustained an injury in that game which he never 100% recovered from.
Trey Palmer (4star #18WR ’19) transfers from LSU. He had 11 receptions in his first two seasons and took a step forward in 2021 with 30 receptions, 344 yards, and 3 TDs.
Isaiah Garcia-Castenada (unranked ’20) is an under-the-radar name to watch. He spent 2019 at Saddleback College where he led the team with 56 receptions, 953 yards, and 3 TDs. Castenada then transferred to New Mexico State. He only played in 2 games in 2020 due to COVID, but had a solid 2021 campaign with 37 receptions, 578 yards and 4 TDs.
Finally, Markus Washington (4star #24WR ’19) transfers from Texas after catching 18 passes for 277 yards and 2 TDs in 2021.
Similar to the running back room, depth is great but Nebraska really needs to see someone emerge as a legitimate #1 WR. Omar Manning and Trey Palmer seem to have the highest upside of the group.
Tight End
Austin Allen was their second-leading receiver last year and will be tough to replace. Travis Vokolek (3star #94TE ’17) is the probable replacement. He looks the part at 6’7″ 260lbs but has yet to put together a complete season. He transferred from Rutgers after the 2018 season and sat out 2019. He’s appeared in 17 games over the past two seasons at Nebraska and accumulated 20 receptions.
With plenty of talent at wide receiver, the question mark at tight end does not loom large. Like any position group with a lot of new faces, it may take a few games for the passing game to click. But with three should-be wins to start the season, the passing attack should be coming together when they host Oklahoma.
Offensive Line (Grade: B-)
Nebraska loses 2 starters but adds 2 transfers to an offensive line that tends to rotate players.
The left side of the line seems solidified with Teddy Prochazka (4star #18OT ’21) at LT and Nouredin Nouili (3star #135OG ’19) at LG. Prochazka started played well in his 2 starts and 5 appearances his freshman year, but went down with a season-ending injury in game 6. Nouili appeared in all 12 games and made 7 starts last year.
The right side will probably be even stronger with Turner Corcoran (4star #4OT ’20) at RT and Bryce Benhart (4star #13OT ‘9) at RG. Corcoran started 11 games (9 at LT) last year while Benhart started 10 games at RT.
Trent Hixson (walk-on ’17) figures to start at center after a roller coaster of a career so far. The former walk-on earned a scholarship in 2019 and started every game for Nebraska. He only appeared in 3 games in 2020 but made a couple starts at LG in 2021. This is probably the biggest question on the line.
Kevin Williams (unranked ’17) also transfers from Northern Colorado after starting their first 2 games of ’21 at LT. However, he missed the rest of the season with injury. Hunter Anthony (3star #OT ’18) also comes in from Oklahoma State after making 5 career starts with them.
Nebraska’s line struggled with consistency last year (most notably in pass protection), so it is hard to envision a massive upgrade with largely the same cast. But with 76 career starts among the unit and ample depth, they should definitely improve in 2022.
Defensive Line (Grade: B-)
Much like the position groups mentioned above, Nebraska attempts to counteract 5 losses along the defensive line (2 starters and 3 backups) with three additions from the transfer portal.
Defensive End
Garrett Nelson (30 star #50WDE ’19) is their key returner along the defensive front and could develop into the Big Ten’s best pass rusher. He finished last year with 5 sacks and 6.5 TFLs. Nelson has improved every year and has had rave reviews from coaches this off-season.
The other DE spot is in good hands with Caleb Tannor (4star #10WDE ’18) returning and Ochaun Mathis (3star #44WDE ’18) transferring from TCU. Tannor has 21 career starts and finished last year with 2 sacks and 5.5 TFLs. Mathis was second-team All Big-12 in 2020 and 2021.
With three experienced and talented pass-rushers, Nebraska should not have a problem getting after the QB.
Defensive Tackle
Ty Robinson (4star #12SDE ’19) moves from DE to support a unproven interior line. He’s started 11 games on the edge over the past two seasons and had 4 TFLs last year.
Outside of him, Nebraska will need to rely on transfers Stephon Wynn (4star #3SDE ’18) from Alabama and Devin Drew (3star #17DT ’20) from Texas Tech. Drew was relatively productive at TTU, making 55 tackles in 12 appearances over the past 2 seasons. Wynn, on the other hand, has struggled to see the field at Alabama, making only 16 tackles over his 4-year career.
Nebraska has 3 solid defensive ends and a couple good options on the inside, but have many question marks behind those guys. Even though the Cornhuskers boast one of the Big Ten’s best pass-rushing duos in Mathis and Nelson, a relatively weak interior will hold this unit back.
Linebackers (Grade: A-)
Nebraska returns two of the Big Ten’s best linebackers in Luke Reimer (walk-on ’19) and Nick Henrich (4star #8ILB ’19). Reimer earned his scholarship after 2019 and was Nebraska’s 5th leading tackler the ensuing year. He took an enormous step forward in 2021, tallying 108 tackles and 6 PBUs. Henrich was their 2nd-leading tackler with 99.
With Nebraska likely to operate mostly out of the nickel, this position group is more than solidified.
Defensive Backs (Grade: C-)
Likely to be the team’s greatest weakness in 2022, Nebraska must replace both of their safeties and their All Big Ten cornerback. But – stop me if you heard this – they stocked up on some transfers this spring.
Quinton Newsome (3star #55S ’19) will be their top corner after starting every game last year. Myles Farmer (3star #54S ’19) should step up into one of the safety positions after starting 4 games and making 30 tackles last year.
Outside of those two, Nebraska added transfers from Alabama, UNI, and Arizona State plus a couple JUCOs. Unfortunately, none of these guys offer much playing experience at all. The Cornhuskers are lucky to avoid most of the high-flying passing attacks in the East, but this will still be a very vulnerable unit.
Schedule & Game Predictions
2022 Prediction: 8-5 (5-4 BIG)
| Opponent | Date | Time (EST) | Prediction |
| at Northwestern | Aug 27th | 12:30pm | W |
| vs North Dakota | Sept 3rd | 3:30pm | W |
| vs GA Southern | Sept 10th | 7:30pm | W |
| vs Oklahoma | Sept 17th | 12:00pm | L |
| BYE | – | – | – |
| vs Rutgers | Oct 1st | TBD | W |
| at Rutgers | Oct 7th | 7:00pm | W |
| at Purdue | Oct 15th | TBD | L |
| BYE | – | – | – |
| vs Illinois | Oct 29th | TBD | W |
| vs Minnesota | Nov 5th | TBD | L |
| at Michigan | Nov 12th | TBD | L |
| vs Wisconsin | Nov 19th | TBD | W |
| at Iowa | Nov 25th | 4:00 | L |
| Quick Lane Bowl vs WMU | Dec 27th | 11:00am | W |
Coaching Changes
Scott Frost is entering his 5th year with Nebraska and hopes to start improving his 15-29 record with the program. While the defensive staff stays largely in-tact, Frost made a lot of changes to the offensive staff. He hopes some change will provide more consistency and fix their late-game bungles.
Offense
Mark Whipple steps in as the Cornhuskers’ new OC after spending the last 3 seasons as Pitt’s OC and QB coach. He helped develop Kenny Picket into a 1st-round QB and made Pitt’s passing attack one of the nation’s strongest over the past couple years. With 7 years of NFL experience, Whipple seems capable of getting the most out of Nebraska’s pass game.
Former Nebraska QB Mickey Joseph joins the staff as passing game coordinator and WRs coach. He spent the last 5 years at LSU and helped the Tigers finish in the top 5 of the SEC in passing each of the past 3 seasons. Joseph has offensive coaching experience at a variety of lower-level schools going back to 1995.
Bryan Applewhite is the new RB coach after coaching TCU’s running backs the past two seasons. He helped TCU finish in the top-30 nationally in rushing both seasons. Applewhite has been coaching since 1999 and spent 5 seasons at Colorado State before joining the Horned Frogs.
Donovan Raiola comes in as the new OL coach. Brother of Nebraska-great Dominic Raiola, Donovan has 11 years of coaching experience. Most recently, Raiola was an assistant offensive line coach with the Bears.
With a lot of upgrades at position coaches, Nebraska’s offense should be more productive and consistent in 2022.
Defense
As mentioned above, Nebraska’s defensive staff did not see any key additions or departures from 2021.
What to Expect in 2022
Offense
With so much change between the coaching staff and off-season losses & additions, the 2022 Nebraska offense is one of the hardest to predict in the entire country. With Whipple and Joseph joining the coaching staff, Martinez’s 2021 passing numbers should be surpassed by their deep QB room.
Expect a tough competition for targets amongst a deep but relatively inexperienced WR room. I think Omar Manning and Trey Palmer are the most likely candidates to emerge as big-play threats for Nebraska.
With the help of Donovan Raiola and plenty of experience throughout the depth chart, Nebraska’s offensive line should improve in both run and pass blocking. However, expecting them to field one of the conference’s best offensive lines might be too much to ask.
Whether Nebraska chooses to utilize a RB-by-committee or someone emerges as the lead back, Nebraska’s running attack should improve in 2022. But if someone can emerge as a bell-cow from this competitive room, they could be set up for a 1,000+ yard campaign.
Defense
Defensively, expect Nebraska to field one of the conference’s strongest front-7’s. With a trio of reliable pass-rushers and two of the Big Ten’s best linebackers, this defensive front will be tough to move. Even with some question marks on the interior defensive line, Nebraska should improve from last year’s numbers.
However, you can expect Nebraska to struggle in pass defense. While 3 transfers and 2 JUCO pickups help, the overall lack of experience is alarming. Things could get ugly against the more potent passing games on their schedule like Oklahoma, Purdue, and Michigan.
But all-in-all Nebraska’s defense should take a step forward in 2022.
Post Season
In a make-or-break season for Scott Frost, I think Nebraska is a lock to get to at least a bowl game this year. With Oklahoma going through a lot of change themselves, the Cornhuskers have a legitimate shot at knocking them off in September and starting 6-0 or even 7-0. However, I’m not ready to make that call for a team that has to go through so much change.
Nonetheless, Nebraska should be 5-2 or 6-1, playing with confidence, and well-rested heading into their final 5-game stretch. They will have a legitimate shot at taking the Big Ten West. Their season-finale at Iowa on Black Friday could even be a win-and-you’re-in game for the two rivals.
But for a team the struggled so much in late-game situations in 2021, it is hard to envision them turning everything around in a single season. Still a year away from becoming a legitimate threat to win the Big Ten, 7-5 is a very reasonable record to expect from Nebraska in 2022. Husker fans should be more than happy with that after not playing in a bowl game since 2016.
Due to the depth of the conference (I am projecting 10 teams will reach bowl eligibility), a 7-5 record will unfortunately land Nebraska in the Big Ten’s lowest-tiered bowl game. But on the bright side, that should set the Huskers up for their first bowl victory since 2015.
After a rough 5 year stretch, an 8-5 record should secure Scott Frost’s job for at least another year and act as a catalyst for a much bigger 2023 season.