5 things we learned from Nebraska’s second week of fall camp

Nebraska football wrapped up the second week of fall camp on Saturday as the Huskers held their second scrimmage.

The season is now just 2.5 weeks away. There are still position battles being waged. The depth chart is still being finalized, and here are five things we learned from the Huskers’ second week of fall camp.

Matt Rhule likes his running backs

One of the things that stood out to me the most about Matt Rhule’s press conference on Saturday was his confidence in the running backs. Rhule said people who think Nebraska football doesn’t have three good running backs will be surprised.

Emmett Johnson is the starter. Mekhi Nelson has impressed while Kwinten Ives was injured. Yet, Isaiah Mozee has turned some heads. Even Conor Booth has generated some positive buzz.

It would be nice to get Ives back healthy. Rhule said he should return this week, but the head coach having confidence in the RB room should give fans reassurance, too.

Left tackle is still undecided

Rhule said the battle for the starting tackle is still ongoing. Elijah Pritchett was the big-time addition from the transfer portal, but last season’s starter, Gunnar Gottula, isn’t giving up the job easily.

This week is a big week. Yet, I’m starting to wonder if this is a position battle that will bleed into the regular season. If these are the two best tackles, you wonder if one would move to the right side.

Either way, Nebraska football fans should feel really good about the offensive tackle depth. Rhule seems confident in the top four guys, which is good news because rarely do two offensive tackles make it through the season.

Dylan Raiola is different

Raiola is more experienced, he’s in better shape, and he’s taken on a leadership role. Rhule said that Raiola was “cussing him out” because he wanted more snaps during the scrimmage.

That’s exactly the kind of competitiveness you want from your quarterback. You want a D.A.W.G. back there. Someone who knows they are going to lead the offense to a touchdown when his team is down four with two minutes left.

Raiola wasn’t that guy last season. It takes time, but it feels like he’s at least on the way to becoming that dude for the Huskers in 2025.

Depth is apparent on defense

I’m wondering how many All-Big Ten players Nebraska will have on this defense at the end of the season. Ceyair Wright is a good candidate. I believe Vincent Shavers is a dark horse, but it’s hard to pick out anyone who’s going to be the best at their position, even among the best 2-3 at their position.

On the positive side, though, Nebraska has solid depth on all three levels of defense. The defensive line doesn’t have a ton of 320-pounders, but Dylan Parrot, Elijah Jeudy, and Riley Van Poppel should provide enough depth on the interior, along with Keona Davis, Cameron Lenhardt, and Williams Nwaneri at defensive end.

The secondary took a hit with Blye Hill getting injured again. But there’s more than enough depth at cornerback and safety. Hopefully, some stars will emerge; but, at least there isn’t a position where Nebraska football is one injury away from disaster on defense.

Nebraska football will be much better on special teams

Rhule keeps talking up Archie Wilson, the punter. He should make a big difference, but so will a new long snapper, a new kickoff returner, a special teams coach, and potentially a new field-goal kicker with Kyle Cunanan battling John Hohl and Tristan Alvano for the job.

Andrew Marshall (KR) and Jacory Barney (PR) should be a dangerous duo in the return game. Whoever wins the kicking job should be better than last season, and at least there are options if the starter struggles.

Special teams were a weakness the past two seasons. That won’t be the case in 2025.

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