Top 40 Huskers for 2023: 36-40
With Nebraska’s 2023 season around the corner, the HuskerOnline team voted on the top 40 Husker players for Matt Rhule‘s first season.
The voting criteria was to rank the players based on importance to the team, overall talent and future potential for the upcoming season. Our voters focused specifically on the 2023 season, not future seasons or a player’s long-term importance or future talent.
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.
Today, we start with the top 36-40 Husker players, which includes four underclassmen.
40. Heinrich Haarberg, QB, Soph.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| NR | NR | NR | 24th |
Rhule has said himself that Heinrich Haarberg is one of the most athletic players on the team. The sophomore is in a battle for Nebraska’s backup quarterback with Chubba Purdy.
Haarberg showed some flashes during the spring game as he was QB Jeff Sims’ backup on the first team. However, didn’t have great throwing stats. He went 2-for-9 for -1 yard and completed a two-point conversation pass to receiver Billy Kemp IV.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound QB broke off a 19-yard rush, showing off his speed and athleticism.
If Sims gets injured during the 2023 season, Haarberg could see playing time along with Purdy.
If Haarberg isn’t chosen as Sims’ backup, he could be utilized in another position. The quarterback has said he’s open to helping the team wherever he can.
39. Omar Brown, DB, Sr.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 39th | 29th | 29th | 39th |
Defensive back Omar Brown has one of the spring’s biggest surprises. He emerged during spring ball when a video of him carrying 6-foot-10, 320-pound Teddy Prochazka was posted on social media.
Brown started at safety during the spring game. He had three tackles with 0.5 tackles for a loss of two yards.
It’s hard to know where Brown will land with the return of safety Marques Buford from a knee injury. However, his coaches seem to think he can make an impact on the field. Even if he doesn’t start, the Northern Iowa transfer could be a big part of the secondary’s rotation.
38. Princewill Umanmielen, DE, Fr.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 23rd | 36th | 40th | 35th |
Freshman defensive end Princewill Umanmielen was one of the biggest surprises during Nebraska’s Red-White Spring game. He led the Huskers with three tackles for a loss of 22 total yards. Umanmielen also recorded one sack for 16 yards.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound lineman started on the defensive line over several veterans. He showed why with his ability to get to the quarterback and make plays.
During his 16-yard loss sack, fellow freshman Maverick Noonan flushed the QB out of the pocket, but Umanmielen was in the right place at the right time to make the play.
During his last two seasons at Manor High School in Austin, Texas, Umanmielen had 130 tackles, 47 tackles for loss and 31 sacks in 23 games.
The former four-star will have to go up against veteran Big Ten linemen. Freshman edge rushers rarely start in the Big Ten and dominate. He will have to learn quickly how to adjust to the huge bodies in the trenches.
37. Cameron Lenhardt, DE, Fr.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 21th | 35th | 37th | 40th |
Speaking freshman defensive ends, Cameron Lenhardt teamed up with Umanmielen to pressure the quarterbacks during Nebraska’s spring game. He had four tackles and one pass breakup.
Just like Umanmielen, Lenhardt will be going up against some of the best offensive linemen in the nation. However, the Husker coaches have been very impressed with Lenhardt and Umanmielen.
Lenhardt, a former four-star recruit, play on IMG Academy’s dominant defense in 2023. His team allowed 32.8 rushing yards per game and 96.4 passing yards per game. He added 21 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
Lenhardt and Umanmielen were impressive during this spring. However, this still lots of time to develop and improve. Could the Huskers have two true freshmen starting or playing a lot on the edge?
36. Chief Borders, LB, Soph.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 31st | 39th | 26th | 36th |
Florida transfer linebacker Chief Borders could be an important part of Nebraska’s linebacker rotation. Defensive coordinator Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense allows for many linebackers to play and the Huskers will likely do some rotating.
Borders started on the second team during the spring game. He didn’t record a stat.
Nebraska’s starting linebackers will likely look very different during the fall. 2022 starting LBs Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich were out during the spring game. Henrich missed the entire spring with an injury.
Borders will need to battle for playing time, but the young player has impressed his coaches so far. White listed Borders as one of the several pass-rushers that is fun to watch.
