Predicting Nebraska football position battles from fall camp

The second week of fall camp is nearly in the books for the Nebraska football program. Saturday’s scrimmage will wrap up the week as the season opener is less than three weeks away.

The NCAA allows nine padded practices. You are also allowed some scrimmaging, so this will be important for Nebraska football as the Huskers try to solidify their depth chart.

There are starting jobs up for grabs on the offensive line, plus plenty of competition across the roster. With that in mind, here’s a prediction for each of the key position battles in Nebraska football fall camp.

Left tackle: Elijah Pritchett

Gunnar Gottula isn’t making it easy on Pritchett. However, he was a big-money addition, and he’s a dude with first-round potential. Can we say that about anyone else on the offensive line?

There has been an adjustment to the offense, according to Matt Rhule, but he started double-digit games in the SEC. He’ll start for Nebraska. Gottula will be the swing tackle.

Right Tackle: Teddy Prochazka

Teddy Prochazka has the size and talent to be an NFL player; he just needs to stay on the field. He missed most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The 6-foot-10 Nebraska native played in 10 games in 2023, with five starts at left tackle, before suffering a season-ending injury in fall camp to miss 2024.

The senior has been impressive in fall camp. He was overlooked by many fans, who simply couldn’t believe his body would hold up. It still might not, but as long as he avoids injury, he will be the right tackle for Nebraska in 2025.

RB2: Mekhi Nelson

What’s the best ability? Availability.

That’s going to make the difference in the competition to be Emmett Johnson’s backup. Nelson is a talented runner. No doubt about it. He’s generated buzz since last season, when he redshirted after the 2025 recruit re-classified to join Nebraska’s roster, essentially as a 2024 recruit.

Michigan was pushing for him, but he committed on his visit to Nebraska, right before a trip to Ann Arbor. Kwinten Ives, who was the favorite, has been banged up. There’s still time for him to win the No. 2 job, but Nelson might get the first crack due to being healthy.

WR2: Jacory Barney

Dane Key is WR1 for Nebraska. Many people felt that Nyziah Hunter would be the No. 2, but if we are talking about “starters,” I believe it will be Jacory Barney.

Barney, a rising sophomore, has had a great camp. He’s bulked up and looks even more explosive. He set the Nebraska freshman record for receptions last season and has a great rapport with Raiola.

Dane Key will lead the team in targets. Barney won’t be far behind. Then it will be Hunter, Cortez Mills, and either Emmett Johnson or Carter Nelson.

What a group of pass catchers that is. Holy cow.

LB: Vincent Shavers and Marques Watson-Trent

Dasan McCullough will be the starting Jack linebacker for Nebraska football. But as far as the inside linebacker spots, there is still an open question.

Vincent Shavers will be the Will linebacker, with Javin Wright getting plenty of snaps, too. Just like Willis McGahee IV will get plenty of playing time at Jack. Maverick Noonan is having a good camp there, too.

Shavers will be hard to keep off the field. He’s also the best blitzter among the linebackers, although McCullough is the best pure pass rusher. Marques Watson-Trent is a tackling machine. He’ll get the start inside, too, but all of the guys I mentioned will play a lot.

CB2: Andrew Marshall

Nebraska football fans should be confident in Andrew Marshall or Donovan Jones. Marshall, the Idaho transfer, seems locked in as a starter. Jones will play plenty, though. He’s getting snaps at cornerback and safety, so keep an eye on him at the safety position.

Why not make him the nickel back with the others more focused purely on playing safety? Either way, Marshall, due to his excellent man-coverage skills, will win the job. However, Jones is one of the best 5-6 players in the secondary, so he should get snaps either way, at cornerback or safety.

Kicker: Kyle Cunanan

This kicker battle will be interesting. The players have performed well so far. I could see all three attempts kicks this season for Nebraska, but Kyle Cunanan, the transfer from Charlotte/Cal, seems like the best bet to win the job.

Tristan Alvano probably has the most leg talent in the room. John Hohl was consistent down the stretch, so the room should be improved, regardless of who starts.

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