Underrated Huskers: Nebraska Spring Football

We have an idea of who is making waves in the fourth year of the Matt Rhule era. However, there are some Huskers who are flying under the radar during Nebraska’s spring practices.

Nebraska Spring Football

Jamir Conn

Early on in his career at Nebraska, Conn established himself as Mike Ekeler’s number one punt blocker. This became evident early on in the season when the sophomore blocked a punt in the Huskers’ third game of the season against Houston Christian. And in the fifth game of the year against Michigan State, the sophomore used his skills to put the Cornhuskers up two scores early in the first quarter.  These two instances should have put him on a trajectory to star in Brett Maher’s special teams unit. However, defensive coordinator Rob Aurich will utilize Conn at safety. According to Hail Varsity, Nebraska’s coaching staff is confident with its choice because the junior knows how to use his status as “one of the loudest players on the field” to control the defense. This has led him to believe he can “be that guy” for the Blackshirts in 2026.

Daniel Kaelin

After one season as a Virginia Cavalier, Kaelin opted to rejoin Nebraska’s quarterback room. From the outside looking in, Kaelin made a puzzling decision. Ever since his arrival, former UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea has looked like the Huskers’ starting quarterback. In addition, TJ Lateef’s role as a starter last season elevates him from being just another backup quarterback for the Cornhuskers. Despite these roadblocks, Kaelin still has an opportunity to prove the doubters wrong. But it will require him to showcase the skills he learned at Virginia. In just seven games as a Cavalier, Kaelin threw for 339 yards with one touchdown and one interception. This type of production may not wow offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen right away. However, we should anticipate his rise up the depth chart because of his ability to get mobile. According to Sports Illustrated, the junior was able to weave his way through the pocket to not only escape but create “opportunistic scrambles” that yielded a lot of yards. This puts him on a similar tier to Colandrea when it comes to pure playmaking ability. But will Rhule and the rest of the coaching staff let him showcase it?

Sua Lefotu

Corey Brown’s defensive line room already has players who are making a name for themselves. At the top of the list are Pitt transfer Jahsear Whittington and former Boston College Eagle Owen Stoudmire. Nebraska also has additional reinforcements in the form of Williams Nwaneri and Cam Lenhardt. It’s clear that the Huskers have multiple good options along the defensive line. However, there is one name that isn’t being talked about during the spring. And that’s Lefotu’s. The 300-pound defensive lineman has been injured for most of his time in Lincoln. But last season, he played 56 snaps. And 29 of them came against Utah at the end of the season. This leaves him in a good position heading into 2026. It also helps that Aurich likes him as well. According to Inside Nebraska, he’s “starting to flash in some inside periods.” He also has the twitch needed to be a factor in the Huskers’ new “cheetah package” on defense.

Elijah Pritchett

Geep Wade’s offensive line is already looking the part in Lincoln. This is primarily because of the veterans that Nebraska added through the transfer portal. However, there is a familiar face leading the charge. As a former Alabama transfer, Pritchett was supposed to be dominant from the moment he stepped on Memorial Stadium turf. For stretches throughout the season, he was. But the junior mostly struggled throughout 2025. Because of this, he could’ve transferred. However, Pritchett chose to grow from his mistakes. According to Sports Illustrated, he’s had a good spring because he’s used his  “technique and grit to do the right things.” This has elevated him to a leader in the Cornhuskers’ offensive line room alongside center Justin Evans.