{"id":172381,"date":"2025-07-01T07:21:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T07:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/172381\/"},"modified":"2025-07-01T07:21:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T07:21:15","slug":"top-40-huskers-for-2025-6-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/172381\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 40 Huskers for 2025: 6-10"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Nebraska\u2019s 2025 season around the corner, the HuskerOnline team voted on the Top 40 Husker players going into\u00a0Matt Rhule\u2019s<\/a> third season in Lincoln.<\/p>\n

The voting criteria were to rank the players based on their importance to the team, overall talent, and future potential for the upcoming season. Our voters focused specifically on the 2025 season, not future seasons, a player\u2019s long-term importance, or future talent.<\/p>\n

The voting panel consisted of HuskerOnline publisher Sean Callahan, columnist Steven Sipple, senior writer Robin Washut, and staff writer Abby Barmore. Each voter submitted their own Top 40 list from which the votes were tallied.<\/p>\n

We continue our annual Top 40 Huskers series with players 6-10, a blend of young talent and veteran newcomers that will be critical to NU\u2019s success in 2025.<\/p>\n

Series:\u00a036-40<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a031-35<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a026-30<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a021-25<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a016-20<\/a> | 11-15<\/a><\/p>\n

JOIN HUSKERONLINE TODAY FOR $1 FOR THE FIRST WEEK!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

10. Marques Watson-Trent, LB, Sr.<\/p>\n

When Nebraska added\u00a0Marques Watson-Trent<\/a>\u00a0out of Georgia Southern, the expectations for his role were fairly clear.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year racked up 120 total tackles last season, including 7.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two QB hurries, and a pass breakup. In other words, the Huskers expected the senior to be a mainstay in the middle of its defense.<\/p>\n

While he came in a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, 225 pounds, his potential, experience, and intangibles at the position were obvious. Even though he\u2019s only been on campus for a few months, NU quickly handed Watson-Trent the responsibility of becoming a leader of its young-but-talented linebacker room.<\/p>\n

SeanSippleRobinAbby111098<\/p>\n

\"\"Nebraska offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett (Photo: Casey Fritton\/HuskerOnline)<\/p>\n

9. Elijah Pritchett, OL, Jr.<\/p>\n

A former starter at Alabama,\u00a0Elijah Pritchett<\/a>\u00a0transferred to Nebraska with expectations as lofty as any newcomer on the roster. Yet the 6-foot-6, 310-pound junior managed to live up to every bit of that billing this spring.<\/p>\n

Pritchett played in 12 games this season for the Crimson Tide, starting 10 games at right tackle and one at left. He logged 619 total snaps of action in his first full-time season as a starter for Alabama.<\/p>\n

PFF graded Pritchett at just 46.9 last season, as he had his ups and downs with 31 allowed quarterback pressures, including 23 hurries and six sacks. Still, the nation\u2019s former No. 4 offensive tackle prospect in 2022 has left zero questions about who would be the Huskers\u2019 starting left tackle.<\/p>\n

SeanSippleRobinAbby613104<\/p>\n

\"\"Boston College Eagles quarterback Grayson James (14) is sacked by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Jimari Butler (1) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

8. Vincent Shavers, LB, So.<\/p>\n

One of last season\u2019s biggest defensive risers, Vincent Shavers<\/a> has put himself firmly in the conversation for a major role in Nebraska\u2019s linebacker rotation this fall. A breakout true freshman campaign in 2024 showcased his explosiveness, instincts, and sideline-to-sideline speed. He may still be young, but the sophomore\u2019s upside is hard to ignore.<\/p>\n

Shavers\u2019 versatility is what makes him so valuable. He\u2019s shown the ability to play both inside and outside, giving the defense flexibility depending on the matchup. NU\u2019s coaches love his natural feel for the game and his ability to close on the football quickly. <\/p>\n

As the Huskers look to replace production from departed veterans, Shavers is one of the newcomers best positioned to fill that gap. If Nebraska\u2019s defense is going to maintain its physical identity and speed across the board in 2025, expect Shavers to be right in the middle of it.<\/p>\n

\"\"Nebraska wide receiver Jacory Barney (Photo credit: Casey Fritton\/HuskerOnline)<\/p>\n

7. Jacory Barney, WR, So.<\/p>\n

Few players made a more significant immediate impact last season than Jacory Barney<\/a>. His 55 catches in 2024 were the most ever by a Nebraska true freshman. He ranked second on the team with 842 all-purpose yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 447 receiving yards.<\/p>\n

A native of Florida City, Florida, Barney also rushed 10 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns while returning 14 kickoffs for 285 yards and three punts for nine. While the Huskers added eight new faces to their receiver room, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen<\/a> said Barney had remained a constant in spring ball.<\/p>\n

As a sophomore, Barney will look to take his overall game to the proverbial next level. That may mean improving his average yards per catch. That may also mean becoming more dynamic in the return game under the tutelage of new special teams coordinator\u00a0Mike Ekeler<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SeanSippleRobinAbby133410<\/p>\n

\"\"Nebraska cornerback Ceyair Wright (Photo by Casey Fritton\/HuskerOnline)<\/p>\n

6. Ceyair Wright, DB, Sr.<\/p>\n

Following his late arrival in Lincoln last summer as a transfer from USC, Ceyair Wright<\/a> quickly positioned himself as a starter at cornerback. Wright\u2019s experience provides a level of polish and maturity to Nebraska\u2019s secondary. His length, speed, and cover skills make him a natural fit in John Butler\u2019s<\/a> scheme.<\/p>\n

Wright\u2019s ability to match up one-on-one with Big Ten receivers gives the defense more freedom to get creative with pressure and coverage. He has shown flashes of lockdown potential and impressed coaches with his technique and instincts during spring practices. If he can settle in quickly and stay consistent, Wright could become a stabilizing force on the defensive perimeter.<\/p>\n

Beyond his on-field ability, Wright also brings a sense of urgency and professionalism to the defensive back room. He has embraced a leadership role and is helping to raise the standard in practice. For a team looking to take the next step defensively, Wright\u2019s experience and presence could be a big part of the formula.<\/p>\n

Never miss breaking news or another HuskerOnline article again. Click HERE to sign up for HuskerOnline\u2019s Daily and Breaking News Newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With Nebraska\u2019s 2025 season around the corner, the HuskerOnline team voted on the Top 40 Husker players going…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":172382,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2026],"tags":[38106,5793,7,38107,30809,38108],"class_list":{"0":"post-172381","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-ceyair-wright-21-loyola","9":"tag-elijah-pritchett-22-carver","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-jacory-barney-24-miami-palmetto","12":"tag-marques-watson-trent-20-blackhawk","13":"tag-vincent-shavers-24-miami-central"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114776774053309204","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}