2023 College Football Catalog: Previewing the Nebraska Cornhuskers

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Jul 1, 2023
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nov 19, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers nickel back Isaac Gifford (23), linebacker Randolph Kpai (30) and defensive back Myles Farmer (8) celebrate after a missed field goal attempt by the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Just like the NFL season is right around the corner, college campuses are preparing to welcome back their football squads for the fall season. As the summer progresses we will be taking a look into how many of the FBS college football programs fared in 2022, what they did during the offseason, and how they can find success during the 2023 season. As we continue our tour through the Big Ten, today, we move onto the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Overview

Nov 25, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Marcus Washington (7) is tackled by Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Quinn Schulte (30) at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

2022 Results

  1. L vs. Northwestern, 28-31
  2. W vs. North Dakota, 38-17
  3. L vs. Georgia Southern, 42-45
  4. L vs. (6) Oklahoma, 14-49
  5. W vs. Indiana, 35-21
  6. W @ Rutgers, 14-13
  7. L @ Purdue, 37-43
  8. L vs. (17) Illinois, 9-26
  9. L vs. Minnesota, 13-20
  10. L @ (3) Michigan, 3-34
  11. L vs. Wisconsin, 14-15
  12. W @ Iowa, 24-17
    Overall Record: 4-8

2022 All-Big Ten Members

  • WR Trey Palmer (Coaches Third-Team, Media Second-Team)
  • DL Garrett Nelson (Coaches and Media Second-Team)

Recent Vikings Draft Picks

N/A

2023 Draft Selections

  • R6, P189: DE Ochaun Mathis (Los Angeles Rams)
  • R6, P191: WR Trey Palmer (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

2023 Schedule

  1. 8/31 @ Minnesota
  2. 9/9 @ Colorado
  3. 9/16 vs. Northern Illinois
  4. 9/23 vs. Louisiana Tech
  5. 9/30 vs. Michigan
  6. 10/6 @ Illinois
  7. 10/21 vs. Northwestern
  8. 10/28 vs. Purdue
  9. 11/4 @ Michigan State
  10. 11/11 vs. Maryland
  11. 11/18 @ Wisconsin
  12. 11/24 vs. Iowa

Notable Additions

Georgia tight end Arik Gilbert (7) drives the ball down the field during the second half of a NCAA college football game between Vanderbilt and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Georgia won 55-0. News Joshua L Jones
  • WR Billy Kemp (transfer portal, Virginia)
  • WR Malachi Coleman (four-star recruit)
  • TE Arik Gilbert (transfer portal, Georgia)
  • OT Tyler Knaack (transfer portal, Utah)
  • OT Jacob Hood (transfer portal, Georgia)
  • IOL Ben Scott (transfer portal, Arizona State)
  • EDGE MJ Sherman (transfer portal, Georgia)
  • EDGE Princewill Umanmielen (four-star recruit)
  • EDGE Cameron Lenhardt (four-star recruit)
  • LB Chief Borders (transfer portal, Florida)
  • CB Corey Collier (transfer portal, Florida)

Notable Losses

Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson (11) throws a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter against Iowa during a NCAA football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowavsneb 20221125 Bh
  • QB Casey Thompson (transfer portal, FAU)
  • RB Ajay Allen (transfer portal, Miami)
  • RB Jaquez Yant (transfer portal, Florida A&M)
  • WR Trey Palmer (NFL Draft, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
  • WR Victor Jones Jr. (transfer portal, Liberty)
  • WR Alante Brown (transfer portal, Michigan State)
  • DE Ochaun Mathis (NFL Draft, Los Angeles Rams)
  • DL Stephon Wynn (transfer portal, Ole Miss)
  • S Jalil Martin (transfer portal, Syracuse)

Keys to 2023

Nov 28, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, US; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule arrives at the introductory press conference at the Hawks Championship Center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Matt Rhule Effect

The Scott Frost era at Nebraska ended in disappointment, and now, the Cornhuskers welcome in former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule to lead them in 2023. Rhule spent time at Temple and Baylor prior to coaching the Panthers, and in his seven years of college coaching, he led the programs to a combined total of four bowl appearances. Nebraska is hoping he can bring that same level of success and more to their program.

Offensive Line Development

Nebraska is changing a lot on their offensive line in this year, with sophomore Teddy Prochazka taking on the duties of left tackle while Arizona State transfer Ben Scott will take over the center duties. Overall, though, this team has a number of veterans that should be able to fill in at multiple positions if need be. That will be important for new QB Jeff Sims as he takes snaps under center.

New Defensive Front

Nebraska looks like they will have completely different starters across their EDGE and defensive line spots outside of defensive tackle Ty Robinson. The program recruited well for pass-rushing talent, landing a pair of four-stars at EDGE in Cameron Lenhardt and Princewill Umanmielen. These two could see playing time as true freshman and could be a crucial part of the program’s defensive success.

Prediction

  1. L @ Minnesota
  2. W @ Colorado
  3. W vs. Northern Illinois
  4. W vs. Louisiana Tech
  5. L vs. Michigan
  6. L @ Illinois
  7. W vs. Northwestern
  8. W vs. Purdue
  9. L @ Michigan State
  10. W vs. Maryland
  11. L @ Wisconsin
  12. W vs. Iowa
    Overall Record: 7-5
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.