As the Nebraska football team prepares for the 2026 season, they are focusing on enhancing their defensive line, which finished 96th against the run last year. With the spring practice period set to commence in just four days, nearly all players expected to be on next year”s roster will participate in preparations. The roster has seen significant changes, including 16 additions from the transfer portal and 11 high school recruits, totaling around 30 new scholarship players.
With a new defensive line coach, Corey Brown, who previously coached at Miami, the Huskers are looking for positive developments in their defensive strategy. A key player in this transformation will be rising junior Riley Van Poppel. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 295 pounds, Van Poppel is the leader in returning production for the defensive tackles. In the 2025 season, he recorded 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and forced a fumble while participating in all 13 games, including three starts. His growth in the upcoming season will be crucial for Nebraska”s defensive unit.
Van Poppel”s leadership and performance will be vital as he steps into a more prominent role. The defensive tackle position will not rely solely on him, as the team is also expecting contributions from redshirt freshmen Tyson Terry and Malcolm Simpson. Terry, a 6-foot-2, 310-pound player, has an impressive background in both wrestling and football, while 6-foot-3, 285-pound Simpson was a top recruit in high school, earning first-team all-state honors before his arrival at Nebraska. Both players missed significant time due to injuries last season but are expected to be active in spring practices.
The Huskers have also bolstered their lineup by acquiring two transfer portal defensive tackles. A standout addition is Stoudmire, a 6-foot-1, 290-pound player who transferred from Boston College after five seasons. With 47 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in his collegiate career, Stoudmire brings valuable experience and is projected to start. He aims to have a productive final college season after recovering from a season-ending injury last year.
Another key transfer is Jahsear Whittington, a former four-star recruit from Pitt, who will have three years of eligibility left. Weighing in at 270 pounds, he may be undersized but will be expected to contribute early, whether as a starter or rotational player. Whittington”s experience in the ACC will aid his transition to Nebraska”s defensive scheme.
Despite the influx of talent, the defensive line faces challenges with the departure of significant contributors, including Davis, who transferred to Miami, and Elijah Jeudy, whose eligibility expired. Davis led defensive linemen with 32 tackles last season, and Jeudy started 12 games, making their absence felt. The defensive line must improve its performance this season, as the lack of proven production adds pressure on the new players to step up.
With the potential for growth in the defensive tackle room, Nebraska”s success will hinge on players like Van Poppel taking the next step in their development. If the team can unlock the talent within the group, they could see significant improvements in their overall performance. However, if these advancements do not materialize, achieving a bowl game may be the best possible outcome for the Huskers in 2026.
