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Projecting Nebraska football’s starting O-line with Rocco Spindler

Breaking down what the Nebraska football starting offensive line could look like with Rocco Spindler.

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Nebraska football
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

The addition of Rocco Spindler was a big one for the Nebraska football program. It was a wild recruitment but proven offensive linemen are a commodity in the transfer portal so one should be surprised.

Nebraska football fought hard to land Spindler because it knew what kind of impact he could have. Dylan Raiola has raised the ceiling of this program and it’s time to start realizing that potential.

The Huskers were close in 2024. Hell, they had the national champs on the ropes in their own building and just couldn’t seal the deal. The same was true against a 10-win Illinois team. Iowa too. Win those games and Nebraska football would have been in the playoff discussion.

That’s a fact. I also think that’s why Huskers have made such a strong push in the portal, and added key coordinators such as Dana Holgorsen and Mike Ekeler. They know they are close and getting over the hump takes a lot of little things.

At 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, Spindler isn’t little. His impact won’t be either but he is a piece of a larger puzzle that’s coming together nicely. As far as how the offensive line will come together, he’s a projection of the 2025 starting lineup with Spindler in the fold.

Projecting Nebraska football O-line

LT: Elijah Pritchett; LG: Turner Corcoran; C: Justin Evans: RG: Rocco Spindler; RT: Gunnar Gottula

Spindler started 13 games at right guard last season for Notre Dame. He was the sixth-ranked offensive guard in the transfer portal and the 63rd-best prospect overall.

He started 23 games in his career for the Fighting Irish and played well over 1,000 snaps. If there was such a thing as a plug-and-play transfer, it’s Spindler.

The same goes for Pritchett. Even though he was up and down at Alabama, he’s got tools that few players on this roster have. He started double-digit games for Alabama last season. It will be up to Nebraska to get the most out of him, but Donovan Raiola improved Bryce Benhart’s game the past two seasons and there is more to work with in Pritchett, a former five-star recruit.

It makes sense to move him over to the left side. Gottula played their last season and was admirable. Pritchett could be All-Big Ten. However, if those guys are more comfortable on the other side, I don’t see it as a huge deal.

Both tackles will have to hold up, especially in pass protection and the position is extremely thin. If Teddy Prochazka could stay healthy, he would be valuable, even as a backup. Otherwise, Grant Brix might be the third-best option at tackle. He could also be a factor at guard and was also a top-100 recruit.

Turner Corcoran is a name to watch. Rhule made it seem like he would be on the fall camp roster. He started 11 games over the past two seasons but suffered season-ending injuries in each. However, the veteran has 34 career starts and is a viable option at left guard if healthy.

Henry Lutovsky started 11 games last season and acquitted himself well. Yet, he also had offseason surgery and health will be a factor for him. That’s why Brix is a dark horse in my mind. Gibson Pyle too.

However, if Corcoran is healthy, he could be tough to beat out for that final starting spot.

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Chris has worked in sports journalism since 2005 writing for multiple newspapers and websites such as the Bleacher Report and Fansided before starting Husker Big Red, A fan site for hardcore followers of the #Huskers offering articles, podcasts, videos and more exclusive content on all things Nebraska

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