Nebraska Football: 2025 Cornhuskers Season Preview and Prediction
Nebraska took an important step last season, ending a seven-year bowl drought. Year 3 was an important benchmark in Rhule's stops at Temple and Baylor, going 10-4 and 11-3, respectively. With veterans at key spots and important additions from the transfer portal, Nebraska should improve on its progress made in 2024.
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[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 College Football Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
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Nebraska 2025 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Nebraska's Offense for 2025
Dylan Raiola returns for a highly anticipated sophomore campaign after completing 67% of his passes with 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Raiola showed flashes of his elite arm talent in 2024 and dropped weight this offseason to be more of a threat with his feet.
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Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will guide Raiola and the Cornhuskers attack full-time in 2025. Holgorsen's relationship with the Air Raid is a thing of the past, but unlocking big plays for the Husker offense will be near the top of the to-do list.
Nebraska will feature running back Emmett Johnson as both a runner and receiver. Johnson was a favorite of Holgorsen's in November, when the back averaged more than five yards per carry and caught 23 passes in four games with Holgorsen calling plays. At wide receiver, Nebraska added Dane Key from Kentucky and Cal's Nyziah Hunter from the transfer portal. Jacory Barney Jr. caught 55 passes last season.
Up front, Nebraska supplemented a deep group with Notre Dame guard Rocco Spindler and Alabama tackle Elijah Pritchett out of the transfer portal. Head coach Matt Rhule called the offensive line one of the 'highlights' of spring practices.
Related: Big Ten Predictions for 2025
Cornhuskers QB Dylan Raiola | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Previewing Nebraska's Defense for 2025
New coordinator John Butler will force the issue with pressure and has been tasked with improving third-down and red-zone defense for a group that was a top-20 unit overall in 2023 and 2024.
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Nebraska will miss Ty Robinson's 7.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss, but the Husker defense got a boost with the return of safety DeShon Singleton, who finished second on the team with 71 tackles, and Javin Wright, an athletic linebacker returning for a seventh season. Adding to the experience are transfer linebackers Marques Watson-Trent, the reigning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year for Georgia Southern, and versatile Dasan McCullough from Oklahoma.
Nebraska linebacker Javin Wright | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Previewing Nebraska's Specialists for 2025
Nebraska's shaky special teams units are in the hands of former Tennessee special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler. Ekeler must improve a group that allowed 10 blocked kicks last season. Kicker John Hohl, 10-of-15 on field goals, returns. Improving the Husker punt return game (4.9 yards per return last season) will be a priority.
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National Ranking: 28
More Big Ten team previews:
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State
Minnesota | Northwestern | Ohio State | Oregon | Penn State
Purdue | Rutgers | UCLA | USC | Washington | Wisconsin
Related: Big Ten Football 2025 Predictions
Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025
Related: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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