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Leading up to Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago, Huskers Illustrated is examining each position group for Nebraska. Position groups: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebacker, Defensive Back, Specialist.
Today: Defensive Line
New leadership and multiple impact transfers to go with solid returners, plus a new scheme from the new defensive coordinator, make this an extremely intriguing group going into 2026.
Can the mix of Corey Brown, Roy Manning, and Rob Aurich get the edges loose and attack the quarterback? What about plugging holes in a run defense that was too easily gashed a year ago? The pieces are there, particularly with Riley Van Poppel and Owen Stoudmire in the middle and Williams Nwaneri and Cam Lenhardt on the edges. The plan just needs to come to fruition.
Williams Nwaneri showed his athleticsm with a scoop-and-score against Houston Christian in 2025. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
In 2025, the Blackshirts allowed 175.4 yards per game on the ground. That was up from 101.2 in 2024 and 92.9 in 2023. Sacks also dropped way off, going from 30 and 32 the previous two seasons to just 22.
No, sacks and rushing yards allowed are not singular on the defense to the defensive line. However, the big boys up front play a large and important role in each.
Aurich’s San Diego State defense was top 25 in the nation in sacks. That was aided by Manning’s work with the edges.
Brown comes to Nebraska from Miami (Ohio), leading the RedHawk defensive line to 105 sacks over the past three seasons. That number ranks 14th nationally.
Cameron Lenhardt and Williams Nwaneri return as the primary edge threats. Lenhardt recorded 2.0 sacks and strong production in 2025, while Nwaneri added 2.5 sacks and disruptive plays. Both should see big increases in what they can do under the new system.
Riley Van Poppel (16 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks in 2025) provides experienced interior depth and leadership after playing in all 13 games last year.
Riley Van Poppel started every game last season. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Perhaps the returner with the biggest upside to take the next step, whether that’s as a main rotational piece or sliding into a starting role, is Kade Pietrzak. As a true freshman, he had 17 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, and 2.0 sacks, while playing in all 13 games. Will a full offseason in the program lead to a big jump from year one to year two?
Sua Lefotu, David Hoffken, and Dylan Parrott also bring added experience back.
All of that returning experience is boosted by the transfer portal additions of Owen Stoudmire and Jahsear Whittington on the interior and Anthony Jones Jr. on the edge.
Stoudmire should take over a starting defensive tackle spot, with Whittington likely to get plenty of run there as well. Jones will be in contention for a top-two spot at the edge.
Cameron Lenhardt vs. Kade Pietrzak vs. Anthony Jones Jr.
It is my belief that Nwaneri will solidify himself as Nebraska’s No. 1 edge. Who, then, will work opposite of him?
Lenhardt has spent the most time in Lincoln and could get a big boost from the new 4-2-5 scheme. Pietrzak could make the biggest jump from his first year in college to his second.
Kade Pietrzak is looking to make big improvements from year one to year two. | Kylie Graham-Imagn Images
But don’t count out Jones. The journeyman has spent a season each at Oregon (2022), Indiana (2023), Michigan State (2024), and UCLA (2025). He has made it his business to walk into a situation without having the experience at that place. He has totaled 58 tackles and 3.5 sacks across 37 career games, including 14 starts.
Four commits are in the fold for this unit.
Four-star defensive lineman Nehemiah Ombati leads the group. As a junior at Shakopee High School in Minnesota, he had 70 tackles.
Jayden Travers out of Maryland and Errol Demontagnac from Florida also play on the interior of the D-Line. Travers helped St. Frances Academy to an 8-1 record with their national schedule, while Demontagnac posted a ridiculous 87 tackles, 30 TFLs, and 14 sacks.
Utah product Ma'atoe Moe is the lone edge rusher in the class.
Continue reading...
Today: Defensive Line
- Coaches: Corey Brown & Roy Manning
- Impact Additions: Owen Stoudmire, Jahsear Whittington, Anthony Jones Jr.
- Key Returners: Cam Lenhardt, Riley Van Poppel, Williams Nwaneri, Kade Pietrzak, Sua Lefotu
- Returning Snap Percentage: 66%
Outlook
New leadership and multiple impact transfers to go with solid returners, plus a new scheme from the new defensive coordinator, make this an extremely intriguing group going into 2026.
Can the mix of Corey Brown, Roy Manning, and Rob Aurich get the edges loose and attack the quarterback? What about plugging holes in a run defense that was too easily gashed a year ago? The pieces are there, particularly with Riley Van Poppel and Owen Stoudmire in the middle and Williams Nwaneri and Cam Lenhardt on the edges. The plan just needs to come to fruition.
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Williams Nwaneri showed his athleticsm with a scoop-and-score against Houston Christian in 2025. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
In 2025, the Blackshirts allowed 175.4 yards per game on the ground. That was up from 101.2 in 2024 and 92.9 in 2023. Sacks also dropped way off, going from 30 and 32 the previous two seasons to just 22.
No, sacks and rushing yards allowed are not singular on the defense to the defensive line. However, the big boys up front play a large and important role in each.
Aurich’s San Diego State defense was top 25 in the nation in sacks. That was aided by Manning’s work with the edges.
Brown comes to Nebraska from Miami (Ohio), leading the RedHawk defensive line to 105 sacks over the past three seasons. That number ranks 14th nationally.
Who’s Back
Cameron Lenhardt and Williams Nwaneri return as the primary edge threats. Lenhardt recorded 2.0 sacks and strong production in 2025, while Nwaneri added 2.5 sacks and disruptive plays. Both should see big increases in what they can do under the new system.
Riley Van Poppel (16 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks in 2025) provides experienced interior depth and leadership after playing in all 13 games last year.
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Riley Van Poppel started every game last season. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Perhaps the returner with the biggest upside to take the next step, whether that’s as a main rotational piece or sliding into a starting role, is Kade Pietrzak. As a true freshman, he had 17 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, and 2.0 sacks, while playing in all 13 games. Will a full offseason in the program lead to a big jump from year one to year two?
Sua Lefotu, David Hoffken, and Dylan Parrott also bring added experience back.
All of that returning experience is boosted by the transfer portal additions of Owen Stoudmire and Jahsear Whittington on the interior and Anthony Jones Jr. on the edge.
Stoudmire should take over a starting defensive tackle spot, with Whittington likely to get plenty of run there as well. Jones will be in contention for a top-two spot at the edge.
Key Battle
Cameron Lenhardt vs. Kade Pietrzak vs. Anthony Jones Jr.
It is my belief that Nwaneri will solidify himself as Nebraska’s No. 1 edge. Who, then, will work opposite of him?
Lenhardt has spent the most time in Lincoln and could get a big boost from the new 4-2-5 scheme. Pietrzak could make the biggest jump from his first year in college to his second.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kade Pietrzak is looking to make big improvements from year one to year two. | Kylie Graham-Imagn Images
But don’t count out Jones. The journeyman has spent a season each at Oregon (2022), Indiana (2023), Michigan State (2024), and UCLA (2025). He has made it his business to walk into a situation without having the experience at that place. He has totaled 58 tackles and 3.5 sacks across 37 career games, including 14 starts.
In the Pipeline
Four commits are in the fold for this unit.
Four-star defensive lineman Nehemiah Ombati leads the group. As a junior at Shakopee High School in Minnesota, he had 70 tackles.
Jayden Travers out of Maryland and Errol Demontagnac from Florida also play on the interior of the D-Line. Travers helped St. Frances Academy to an 8-1 record with their national schedule, while Demontagnac posted a ridiculous 87 tackles, 30 TFLs, and 14 sacks.
Utah product Ma'atoe Moe is the lone edge rusher in the class.
Continue reading...
