5 players who will make or break Nebraska football this season

The expectations are high for Nebraska football this season. They always are, but with Matt Rhule entering his third season as head coach, with three new coordinators, a returning starting quarterback, and a solid transfer portal class, fans have high hopes.

Of course, many expect to get let down. It’s happened so often that it’s not hard to blame them. Rhule said this “is the team I’ve been waiting for” earlier this offseason.

He has won conference titles and made conference title games in other leagues. Can he do it at Nebraska? Is it closer than we think? A conference title doesn’t seem realistic this season, but who knows? You can never say never, just like 5-7 is on the table.

Either of those would be surprising in their own way, but you just never know. Nothing is impossible. Yet, if these five players have good seasons, Nebraska football should be a top-25 team and at least a contender for the College Football Playoff.

So here are five Huskers who can make or break Nebraska football in 2025.

Dylan Raiola

This is easy. Nebraska football will go as Dylan Raiola goes. There are other important pieces, but he needs to become a star if this program is going to win big. If the Huskers want to take a big leap, he needs to play at an all-conference level this season.

Yet, with an improved offensive line, better wide receivers, and an offseason of growth, it’s not far-fetched. Raiola threw for over 2,800 yards last season. He also completed more than 70 percent of his passes in three of the four games with Dana Holgorsen as the OC.

Elijah Pritchett

Pritchett was a 12-game starter at tackle for Alabama last season, playing 11 on the right side and one on the left. Presumably, he’ll start on the left side for Nebraska football.

The Huskers paid a hefty NIL price to land one of the best offensive tackles in the portal. Pritchett just needs to play like it. He was ranked 45th overall and sixth among offensive tackles in the portal, according to 247 Sports, so Nebraska needs a solid return on that investment.

It hasn’t had a stud at left tackle in a long time. Hopefully, Pritchett changes that.

Emmett Johnson

Rhule said Nebraska didn’t want to pay for North Dakota State transfer CharMar Brown. Maybe that will prove to be a wise decision, but that puts even more pressure on Emmett Johnson to deliver.

Johnson was productive down the stretch last season. Yet, being the full-time starter for 12 games is a different animal, especially in the Big Ten.

Johnson has never carried the ball 20 times a game. He’s only had six games with at least 15 carries. Nebraska needs a productive running game — every team does — but especially in the Big Ten.

You can’t win in that league without being able to run. Johnson has been effective, but can he make it through an entire season with all the extra wear and tear?

Riley Van Poppel

Van Poppel might not be known as a star player right now, but he’s one of the most important players on the defense. There isn’t a true nose tackle on this roster. Van Poppel is going to play Ty Robinson’s role from the past two seasons, and maybe some nose too, along with Elijah Jeudy.

Nebraska expects to contend for the playoff this season, and that’s going to happen with some quality run-stuffers inside. Van Poppel has to deliver.

Vincent Shavers

In a limited role as a freshman, Shavers, who played in all 13 games, had 25 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and three tackles for loss.

Shavers has the chance to be a dude, and that’s what Nebraska football needs. The Huskers need some players to emerge as first or second-team all-conference selections.

The sophomore linebacker can be that. And if he can do it this season, this team will have a much better chance of realizing its full potential.