Fall camp is underway in Lincoln, and as always, optimism is in the air. Players are passing the eyeball test, the roster looks the part, and the program is entering a pivotal third year under Matt Rhule. This is the season where his culture, system, and player development philosophy must begin producing real results.
Rhule’s approach—recruiting high-upside athletes and molding them into contributors—has worked before. Now, with both stars and sleepers on the roster, Nebraska needs its developmental
players to step forward if it hopes to break through.
Offensive Players to Watch
Turner Corcoran – OL, Senior
Once a crown jewel in Nebraska’s recruiting efforts, Corcoran’s career has been a frustrating story of potential hampered by injury and inconsistency. Now entering his senior season, he should shift inside to guard—a move that better suits his skill set. With nothing to lose and everything to prove, this fall could be his last chance to make an impact. If he stays healthy and locks down a starting job, Nebraska’s interior offensive line could become a quiet strength.
Thank you, Go Big Red #committed #GBR pic.twitter.com/yCUOtcGi3A
— Turner Corcoran (@turnercorcoran) April 13, 2019
Heinrich Haarberg – ATH, Junior
One of the best athletes on the team, Haarberg’s raw tools are undeniable. He’s a long strider with breakaway speed, and while his stint at quarterback showed flashes, passing consistency was never his strong suit. Now fully transitioned to tight end, Haarberg could become a matchup nightmare if he embraces the physicality of the position. With NFL measurables and versatility, this season is his audition for the next level—and Nebraska could reap the benefits.
Henrich Haarberg threw down the winning dunk in the annual @HuskerFootball Dunk Contest ‼️#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/HdFC3sXtaf
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 31, 2025
Janiran Bonner – WR, Junior
With transfers like Nyziah Hunter and Dane Key stealing the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook Bonner. But the junior wideout has tools of his own—speed, size, and a willingness to do the dirty work. He’s bounced around positionally in past seasons, trying to find a fit, but 2025 presents a clear runway. If Bonner can carve out a consistent role and take advantage of mismatches, Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen won’t hesitate to get him involved. At a position where development has been slow, Bonner has the chance to flip the script.
Defensive Players on the Brink
DeShon Singleton – S, Senior
Physically, Singleton looks the part of an NFL safety. But in reality, he still needs to put consistent tape together to draw serious next-level interest. The Huskers need him to be more than just a physical presence—they need a playmaker. If he can avoid mental lapses and bring a ball-hawking edge to the secondary, he could help transform a defense that gave up too many explosive plays a season ago.
There goes that man, ‼️ pic.twitter.com/s2mlMlmdcO
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) May 12, 2025
Cameron Lenhardt – EDGE, Sophomore
It’s rare to see a freshman flash early and then disappear quietly into the depth chart. That’s where Lenhardt finds himself heading into year three. But with Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher gone, Nebraska desperately needs someone to win on the edge with just a four-man rush. Lenhardt has had a full offseason to add weight and refine his game—now it’s time to produce. If he gets rolling early, his burst off the edge could be exactly what this defense needs.
. @CameronLenhardt and @hoodiiewill have earned Freshman All-American honors
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) December 8, 2023
https://t.co/PBlQ5i38VM#GBR x #WhatsNExt! pic.twitter.com/l1cX3v4uEs
Javin Wright – LB/DB, Senior
Wright’s Nebraska journey has been long and winding, marked by injuries and a rotating cast of roles. Now, entering his final season, he may finally be in the right place at the right time. A hybrid defender with high football IQ, Wright brings versatility and leadership to a defense that lacks proven stars. He may never be the flashiest guy on the field, but if he becomes a consistent disruptor, he can help this unit take the next step—particularly on third down, where Nebraska struggled to get off the field in 2024.
The Verdict
On paper, Nebraska has the tools for a breakthrough season. The schedule is manageable, the roster is deeper than it’s been in years, and Matt Rhule’s cultural imprint is finally fully embedded. But this team will go only as far as its developmental players take it.
If guys like Corcoran, Haarberg, and Singleton can make the leap from potential to production—and if the newcomers stay healthy and perform—the difference between another 7–5 campaign and a 10–2 dark horse College Football Playoff run isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.
Great teams don’t rely solely on stars—they have depth, development, and no weak links. Nebraska’s mission this fall is clear: build a team where the drop-off between starters and backups is minimal. That’s the Rhule formula, and in year three, it’s go time.
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