3 takeaways as Nebraska football names a starting lineup for Ohio

Nebraska football takes on Ohio Saturday in Week 1 of the 2026 season. Ahead of that game, the Huskers released their first official depth chart.

There were some mild surprises in the starting lineup and the two-deep. Here is a link to the full depth chart, and here are three takeaways.

Gunnar Gottula won a starting job

You have to give Gottula credit. Nebraska coaches recruited over him, and he still won the job. There was an or next to his name, meaning Tree Babalade is considered a starter, too. Both players will play, as long as Tree is healthy.

Gottula, a Nebraska native, earned his spot, though. He’s started 16 career games at left and right tackle, and will likely start on Saturday. We’ll see if he eventually bumps inside. It still feels like a possibility. Rhule even said last week that Gottula was one of the best five regardless of position.

If Tree is also part of the top five and his best position is tackle, maybe Gottula bumps inside. Either way, Nebraska football is still trying to figure out the top five offensive linemen.

Three-headed monster at running back

Hopefully, that’s what the trio of Isaiah Mozee, Mekhi Nelson, and Jamal Rule turns into. All three were listed on the depth chart as the starter or with an OR. Rhule said all three would be given opportunities, along with Kwinten Ives, the forgotten man in the backfield.

It has always felt like this would be a running-back-by-committee. All three players are young. Nelson has three years to play; Mozee has four and Rule has five. They all have different talents and bring different things to the table.

Just like right tackle, this battle will be decided on the field. Emmett Johnson was special, and it might take three to replace what he could do.

Some surprises on the defensive line

Both defensive tackle transfers won starting jobs — Jasher Whittington and Owen Stoudmire. That surprised me a little. Anthony Jones winning one of the defensive end jobs did, too. I expected him to be more of a pass rusher this season. Williams Nwaneri is second team for now. Both he and Cameron Lenhardt have a lot to prove this season.

Tyson Terry cracked the two-deep, which is a great sign for the Huskers moving foward. Wrestlers tend to make great defensive linemen.

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