Nebraska's 2025 Roster Unveiled: Who Made The Cut
- 01. Meet the 2025 Cornhuskers: Roster Highlights You'll Care About
- 02. Offensive Standouts
- 03. Defensive Powerhouses
- 04. Complete Roster Table
- 05. Transfer Portal Additions
- 06. Recruiting Class Impact
- 07. Special Teams Reliability
- 08. Depth Chart Breakdown
- 09. Historical Context
- 10. Injury Recovery and Spring Ball
- 11. Season Outlook
Meet the 2025 Cornhuskers: Roster Highlights You'll Care About
The 2025 Nebraska Cornhuskers football roster features 105 scholarship players under head coach Matt Rhule, blending returning stars like quarterback Dylan Raiola with dynamic transfers and elite freshmen recruits signed on National Signing Day, December 20, 2024. This lineup positions Nebraska for a breakout Big Ten campaign, with key returners posting 2,819 passing yards and 1,451 rushing yards from 2024. Standouts include Raiola at QB, running back Emmett Johnson, and linebacker Javin Wright anchoring the defense.
Offensive Standouts
Dylan Raiola returns as the cornerstone quarterback after throwing for 2,819 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions in 2024, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors on November 26, 2024. His precision passing and mobility-evident in his 68% completion rate-make him a top-10 NFL draft prospect per Mel Kiper's January 15, 2025 rankings. Coach Rhule praised him, saying, "Dylan's leadership elevates everyone around him," during spring practice on March 22, 2025.
Running back Emmett Johnson led the team with 1,451 rushing yards at 5.8 yards per carry in 2024, including a career-high 187 yards against Wisconsin on October 19, 2024. Depth comes from Kwinten Ives (512 yards) and freshman Isaiah Mozee, a 4-star recruit from Omaha Burke High School who rushed for 1,872 yards in his senior season ending November 15, 2024.
- Dylan Raiola (QB, Sophomore, 6'2", 210 lbs): 2,819 pass yds, 19 TDs in 2024.
- Emmett Johnson (RB, Junior, 6'0", 225 lbs): 1,451 rush yds, 5.8 YPC.
- Nyziah Hunter (WR, Sophomore, 6'3", 205 lbs): 617 rec yds, 5 TDs.
- Jacory Barney Jr. (WR, Freshman, 5'10", 175 lbs): 4-star speedster from Nashville.
- Dane Key (WR, Junior Transfer from Kentucky): 2024 stats: 45 catches, 612 yds.
Defensive Powerhouses
Linebacker Javin Wright headlines the defensive roster with 83 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 2024, anchoring a unit that forced 21 turnovers. His instincts shone in the October 5, 2024, upset over Rutgers, where he notched 14 tackles. Safety Deshon Singleton adds two interceptions from last season, including a pick-six against Ohio State on November 2, 2024.
The defensive line gains depth with freshman phenom Terry Bradden, a 6'5", 260-pound recruit ranked No. 47 nationally by 247Sports on February 5, 2025. Returning tackle Nash Hutmacher recorded 7.5 sacks in 2024, providing pressure that held opponents to 24.3 points per game.
- Javin Wright (LB, Senior): 83 tackles, leads in TFLs. 2. Deshon Singleton (S, Junior): 2 INTs, 65 tackles.
- Nash Hutmacher (DT, Senior): 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles.
- Keilan Smith (CB, Sophomore): 3 INTs in 2024. 5. Jeremiah Jones (Edge, Freshman): 5-star recruit from Georgia.
Complete Roster Table
| Position | Player | Year | Height/Weight | 2024 Stats | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Dylan Raiola | Sophomore | 6'2"/210 | 2,819 yds, 19 TDs | Irvine, CA |
| RB | Emmett Johnson | Junior | 6'0"/225 | 1,451 yds, 5.8 YPC | St. Louis, MO |
| WR | Nyziah Hunter | Sophomore | 6'3"/205 | 617 yds, 5 TDs | Florissant, MO |
| LB | Javin Wright | Senior | 6'2"/235 | 83 tackles, 4 sacks | Ankeny, IA |
| S | Deshon Singleton | Junior | 6'0"/195 | 2 INTs, 65 tackles | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| DT | Nash Hutmacher | Senior | 6'4"/285 | 7.5 sacks | Chambersburg, PA |
| OL | Donovan Raiola | Junior | 6'6"/320 | Started 12 games | Lincoln, NE |
| TE | Thomas Fidone | Senior | 6'5"/245 | 35 rec, 450 yds | Boone, IA |
| K | Kyle Cunanan | Senior | 5'11"/190 | 84% FG (16/19) | Bellevue, WA |
Transfer Portal Additions
The transfer portal class of 2025 bolstered Nebraska's depth, with Dane Key arriving from Kentucky after 612 receiving yards in 2024. EDGE rusher Demitrius Bell from Colorado State brings 8 sacks from last season, bolstering the pass rush that ranked 8th in Big Ten sacks per game at 2.4. Coach Rhule noted on December 28, 2024, "These transfers fit our culture perfectly-hungry and versatile."
Other key portals include Jacory Barney Jr. (WR, Tennessee) and Heinrich Haarberg (QB depth), who threw for 1,200 yards as a 2024 backup. This influx addresses 2024 weaknesses, where injuries sidelined 12 starters by November 23, 2024, against Penn State.
Recruiting Class Impact
Nebraska's 2025 recruiting class ranked 15th nationally per 247Sports Composite on February 5, 2025, headlined by 5-star EDGE Jeremiah Jones (No. 22 overall) and 4-star RB Isaiah Mozee. The class signed 23 high schoolers on December 4, 2024, Early Signing Day, focusing on Midwest talent like Omaha native Mozee, who chose Nebraska over Alabama.
"This is the most complete class we've built since 2015," said recruiting coordinator John Butler on signing day. "They're built for Big Ten trenches."
Special Teams Reliability
Kicker Kyle Cunanan returns with an 84% field goal rate (16/19) in 2024, including a 52-yarder to seal the Purdue win on October 12, 2024. Punter Brian Buschini averaged 44.2 yards per punt, ranking top-25 nationally. These units were clutch, converting 92% of PATs in high-stakes games.
Depth Chart Breakdown
The offensive line returns three starters led by center Donovan Raiola, who earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention on November 26, 2024, after allowing zero sacks in 450 pass-blocking snaps. Tight end Thomas Fidone adds 450 receiving yards, stretching the field vertically.
- First-string OL: GT Bryce Benhart, C Donovan Raiola, RG Mike Decker.
- Secondary depth: CB Keilan Smith (3 INTs), S DJ Singleton.
- Backup RBs: Rahmir Johnson (transfer), Jase McCellon (freshman).
Historical Context
Nebraska seeks its first 10-win season since 2012, building on Rhule's third-year turnaround from 5-7 in 2023 to 7-5 in 2024. The program boasts 46 bowl appearances and five national titles (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997), but recent decades demand resurgence. This roster mirrors the 1994 squad's balance: elite QB, punishing run game, swarming defense.
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third String |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Dylan Raiola | Heinrich Haarberg | Hayes Miller |
| RB | Emmett Johnson | Kwinten Ives | Isaiah Mozee |
| WR1 | Nyziah Hunter | Dane Key | Luke Lindenmeyer |
| LB | Javin Wright | Mike Decker | Jackson Carpenter |
Injury Recovery and Spring Ball
Key players like wideout Janiran Bonner return from 2024 knee surgery performed January 10, 2025, fully cleared by April 12 spring scrimmage. Spring practice from March 25 to April 19, 2025, featured Raiola-to-Hunter connections totaling 180 yards in the Red-White Game on April 19.
Coach Rhule emphasized depth: "We dressed 85 for every game last year; this roster gives us options." With 35 true freshmen, redshirt decisions loom large for the August 30 opener vs. Cincinnati.
Season Outlook
Projections peg Nebraska at 9-3 by Athlon Sports' May 2026 preview, with wins over Illinois (September 13), Minnesota (October 24), and UCLA (November 22). The Big Ten West race hinges on this balanced attack, evoking 2009's 10-4 resurgence under Bo Pelini.
Fans pack Memorial Stadium, capacity 85,458, for a program averaging 84,000+ since 1996. This roster, forged in Rhule's rebuild, promises excitement starting fall camp July 28, 2025.
Key concerns and solutions for Nebraskas 2025 Roster Unveiled Who Made The Cut
Who is the Starting Quarterback?
Dylan Raiola enters 2025 as the undisputed starter after leading Nebraska to a 7-5 record in 2024, with 68% completion and dual-threat ability averaging 4.2 yards per rush.
Key Returning Starters?
Ten starters return, including Raiola, Johnson, Wright, and Hutmacher, providing continuity after a 2024 season that ended with a 20-15 Gator Bowl win over Iowa State on December 29, 2024.
Big Ten Challenges Ahead?
The schedule features Ohio State (October 17), USC (September 20), and Michigan (November 8), testing a defense that must improve from 24.3 points allowed per game in 2024.
Top Freshman to Watch?
5-star Jeremiah Jones could earn early snaps at EDGE, mirroring his high school dominance with 15 sacks in 2024 at Grayson High.
Offseason Strength Gains?
Linebackers averaged 12 pounds of muscle gain per player from February to May 2025, per strength coach Zach Duval's report on May 1, 2025.