Ranking Nebraska's three toughest opposing defenses in 2025

In 2025, Nebraska football will square off with a handful of Big Ten programs that pride themselves on defensive excellence.

With a full offseason under offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and multiple new weapons for quarterback Dylan Raiola, expectations for the offense have risen steadily as August nears. However, the Huskers will do battle with four defenses that ranked in the top 20 nationally last season.

Here are the three toughest defenses Nebraska will face in 2025:

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1. Penn State

The Nittany Lions sit atop both the offensive and defensive rankings with eyes fixed on another deep College Football Playoff run.

After coaching on the opposing sideline for many years, former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles took the Penn State job following the National Championship. With a $3.1 million annual deal, Knowles is the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country. The Philadelphia native will further upgrade an already elite unit.

Despite losing numerous starters, the Nittany Lions return a handful of players who chose to forgo the NFL draft. Defensive tackle Zane Durant and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton highlight the front seven and will help alleviate the loss of Abdul Carter. The two combined for 84 tackles — 24 for loss — and 11.5 sacks in 2024.

Durant finished the year with 28 pressures, 17 hurries and seven QB hits in 658 total snaps, according to PFF. Dennis-Sutton hit another gear in the College Football Playoff with 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in Penn State’s three games.

The Nittany Lions return their top three corners in A.J. Harris, Elliot Washington II and Audavion Collins. Harris was stellar in coverage last year, allowing just 26 receptions on 46 targets, while Washington is one of the team’s best tacklers. The Nittany Lions lost two safeties to the NFL, but Zakee Wheatley is back for his fifth season after racking up the third most tackles of any Penn State defender (95) and three interceptions in 2024.

The linebacker room was the biggest question mark, but James Franklin added North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell in late May. The junior tallied 75 tackles and 6.5 sacks for the Tar Heels last season and will be an immediate plug-and-play for Knowles and company.

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2. Michigan

The Wolverines lost multiple starters to the NFL this offseason, including first-rounders Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. However, Michigan’s next generation of defensive superstars is ready for their turn to shine.

Defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny is first among that group. Despite playing only 327 snaps in an injury hampered season — over 200 less than Graham and Grant — the senior was one of Michigan’s most effective defenders in 2024. He finished the year with 20 pressures, 14 hurries and four QB hits. The Wolverines also added a pair of senior defensive tackles in Damon Payne Jr. from Alabama and Tre Williams from Clemson. Third-round pick Josaiah Stewart will be missed coming off the edge, but Derrick Moore and TJ Guy are back after combining for nine sacks and 63 pressures last season.

Former Husker Ernest Hausmann will start at linebacker again alongside his partner in crime Jaishawn Barham. While neither is great in coverage, the two seniors played a key role in Michigan’s No. 5-ranked rushing defense in 2024. They combined for over 150 tackles while Barham, one of PFF’s top five returning linebackers nationally, added 20 pressures and 14 QB hurries. There is a significant experience drop-off at LB after those two, but the Wolverines have a few young pieces that the staff has spoken highly of.

The secondary will have to replace over 2,500 snaps, particularly at the safety position, but former All-Big Ten selection Rod Moore returns from a torn ACL. Cornerback Jyaire Hill is back after allowing the lowest reception percentage (57.9 %) of any starter on 57 targets.

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3: Iowa

The Hawkeyes must replace seven long-term starters on defense after sporting another top-25 unit in 2024. Iowa lost all three of its starting linebackers and the secondary was gutted, however, defensive coordinator Phil Parker has proven his mettle with inexperienced defenses time and time again.

The defensive line appears to be the Hawkeyes’ strongest room entering the season with Max Llewellyn, Ethan Hurkett and Aaron Graves back for another year. Llewellyn posted a dominant stretch to end the 2024 season, recording a sack in three of the Hawkeyes’ final four games, and is expected to be one of the best pass-rushers in the nation. He will be an every-down starter for the first time in his career after recording 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss last year.

Graves and Hurkett combined for 14 sacks and 60 pressures in 2024, returning most of Iowa’s production up front.

Linebacker is a massive question mark, as Jaden Harrell — who played 97 snaps with nine tackles — is the most experienced returner in the unit. Cornerbacks TJ Hall and Deshaun Lee are back but Iowa expects an open competition at the position. The safety spot is more dicey with the departures of Quinn Schulte and Sebastian Castro.

Much remains unknown about the Hawkeyes’ defense, but this ranking relies heavily on Parker’s track record of seven consecutive top-25 units. A majority of Iowa’s depth chart is inexperienced, but many of the team’s 2025 starters have soaked up knowledge for years while sitting behind veteran stars.

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