3 freshmen who’ll make an impact for Nebraska football (not Dylan Raiola)

Fall camp for Nebraska football is 10 days away. You can feel the excitement among Husker fans who are dying for a winner.

Earlier this weekend, I laid out why I believe Nebraska football will play its way into a bowl game this season. The schedule is manageable and freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola is a huge reason for optimism.

But in terms of freshmen who’ll make an impact for Nebraska this season, Raiola is too easy to choose. He’s going to be the starting quarterback and his impact will be undeniable.

So there’s no reason to list Raiola here. But here are three other freshmen who will play big roles for Nebraska football in 2024 that aren’t named Dylan Raiola.

Jacory Barney, WR

The 6-foot, 170-pound freshman from Florida was spectacular this spring. He didn’t seem out of place at all and looked like one of the Huskers’ best wideouts this past spring.

Barney could also make an impact as a kick or punt returner as he did during the spring game and he’s one of the most exciting freshman receivers to come to Nebraska in a long time.

Barney isn’t ranked as high as even Malachi Coleman, but elite talents can get lost in the shuffle down in Florida. The biggest challenge for him is a depth chart where Coleman, a breakout candidate in his own right, might be the No.  4 wide receiver. Nebraska is loaded with pass catchers and Barney is one who’ll play early and often.

Vincent Shavers, LB

There won’t be many chances for freshmen to play for the Huskers on defense. Most of the starters have returned from 2023. All of the D-line starters are back and most of the starters are back in the secondary.

The Huskers did graduate a couple of linebackers though and that could open the door for blue-chip freshman, Vincent Shavers to get on the field early.

John Bullock and Javin Wright will play a lot of snaps inside. Stefon Thompson too. But you need more than 2-3 guys as Nebraska football was reminded of last season.

With Raiola, Carter Nelson, Barney, and others, it’s easy to forget about Shavers but Matt Rhule talked him up during the spring and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him crack the two-deep this fall.

Carter Nelson, TE

Unlike the other guys on this list, Carter Nelson didn’t have the benefit of enrolling early. He was busy trying to win a state championship on the basketball court, in addition to being an elite track and field athlete.

Nelson is 6-foot-5, 225 pounds and he’s run the 100-meter dash in sub-11 seconds. We got a glimpse of how Nelson and Raiola could work together during the Polynesian Bowl.

Not being around in the spring can be a hindrance, but if you can play, you can play. Nelson is a special athlete and I believe the Huskers will find a way to get him the ball. It will mostly be at tight end, but there could be some reps at receiver or running back.

Either way, I don’t see Nelson sitting on the bench for long this season.

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