Special teams is one of Nebraska football’s biggest X-factors in 2026

Looking back at the 7-6 season for Nebraska football in 2025, it’s hard to believe that would have happened without the drastic improvement the Huskers had on special teams.

The Huskers were ranked 112th in efficiency in the 2024 season, only to improve by 100 spots in 2025 under the direction of Mike Ekeler, who was stellar in his one season, but is now coaching for the USC Trojans.

Matt Rhule never seemed to have a great relationship with Ekeler. There was sideline tension, and despite offering him the job as the highest-paid special teams coordinator in college football to return, Ekeler wanted to coach defense, too, so there was an impasse.

Whatever happened doesn’t matter now. What does matter is whether Nebraska football will be able to carry that improvement over from 2025 to 2026?

Will Nebraska football be stellar on special teams again?

It’s one of the most underrated aspects of this team. The record wasn’t as good as it should have been last season, but special teams played a huge role in the wins over Michigan State, Maryland, and Northwestern.

Rhule has appointed Brett Maher as the special teams coordinator, with former special teams analyst Nick Humphrey, who was in Tennessee with Ekeler, as the co-coordinator.

Rhule expressed confidence this offseason, saying that Maher has improved things since his arrival.

“Everything that Brett’s touched in his time here has simply improved,” Rhule said this offseason.

Kenneth Williams, the dynamic return guy for the Huskers, has also departed. He transferred to Michigan State. The Huskers still have Jacory Barney, a projected All-American punt returner. I’m dying for Isaiah Mozee to get a chance as the full-time kickoff returner, and Nebraska football brought back its punter and kicker last season.

The Huskers also landed one of the better long snappers in the portal. The personnel is solid. We’ll see about the coaching. One true thing is that Nebraska can’t afford a drastic step back. It can’t have the special teams of 2023 and 2024.

Games were lost because of special teams in those seasons. Last year, games were won because of special teams, and if Rhule’s fourth team is going to navigate this schedule to the tune of seven or eight wins, Nebraska needs quality special teams once again.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.