As arguably the top conference in college football, the Big Ten is home to some of the best players in the sport. The top teams steal the highlights and headline, as Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the leader in the Heisman Trophy race while Josh Hoover and Charlie Becker star for the Indiana Hoosiers. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, though still developing as a passer during his true sophomore campaign, is one of the more talked about players in college football as well.
The Oregon Ducks fit right in there, as quarterback Dante Moore leads an uber talented offense while a crew of Matayo Uiagalelei and A'Mauri Washington leads a star-studded defensive front. Also out West, the USC Trojans (Jayden Maiava) and UCLA Bruins (Nico
Iamaleava) are led by standout quarterbacks.
Flying under the radar, at least prior to last week's close loss to Indiana, are the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Asking a casual college football fan who the quarterback of the Cornhuskers is may stump them, but make no mistake, they've got some strong players across their roster.
With Nebraska coming to Eugene to take on Oregon in Week 7, here are five Cornhuskers that Ducks fans will want to know before kickoff.
QB Anthony Colandrea
The Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year at UNLV in 2025, Anthony Colandrea has been around the country during his four years, beginning at Virginia and now starting for Nebraska. He's matured into a good decision-maker who prefers to escape the pocket, throwing for 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions through six games in 2026. But where Colandrea is most dangerous is with his legs, already racking up 296 yards and three touchdowns on the ground this year. He thrashed Indiana for multiple chunk plays on scrambles in Week 6.
RB Jamal Rule
A redshirt freshman, Jamal Rule wasn't the anticipated RB1 this season but has taken that spot and run with it. He's carried the ball 57 times for 386 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. The 6-foot, 215-pound back has the ideal frame of a bell cow back, a role he's growing into. He never managed to break loose against Indiana, carrying the ball 15 times for 53 yards but is a walking home-run hitter with long gains of 59, 55 and 39 already this year.
WR Kwazi Gilmer
Nebraska's leading receiver, Kwazi Gilmer is a dynamic run-after-catch threat underneath. He joins the Cornhuskers after two seasons at UCLA, where he racked up nearly 900 yards and six touchdowns. He's already equaled that touchdown mark through six games at Nebraska while reeling in 418 yards on 32 catches. The 6-foot-2, 192-pounder will need to be accounted for or else he can break a long gain with his slippery style with the football.
LB Owen Chambliss
Owen Chambliss arrived in Lincoln after totaling 109 tackles at San Diego State in 2025 and he hasn't disappointed as the leader of the Cornhuskers' linebacking core. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is physical at the point of attack and flies to the ball, thus far notching a team-high 31 tackles in six games. While he may not quite be on the level of the top linebackers in the Big Ten, the Cornhuskers' defense is stout with Chambliss in the middle of it.
S Dwayne McDougle III
Chambliss and safety Dwayne McDougle III starred at San Diego State last season and came to Lincoln together — and are now starring for the Cornhuskers. McDougle is second on the team in tackles with 30 while picking off a pass 81 yards for a touchdown against Maryland. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound safety gives Nebraska a veteran presence on the back end who has no issue with coming down in run support and making big plays on the ball.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Five Nebraska Cornhuskers for Ducks fans to know heading into Week 7
