Top 40 Huskers for 2025: 16-20
With Nebraska’s 2025 season around the corner, the HuskerOnline team voted on the Top 40 Husker players going into Matt Rhule’s third season in Lincoln.
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’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.
We continue our annual Top 40 Huskers series with players 20-16, which features five likely starters.
Series: 36-40 | 31-35 | 26-30 | 21-25 |
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20. Marques Buford Jr., DB, Sr.
Marques Buford Jr. has been a staple in Nebraska’s defensive back room throughout his career. He has played in 40 games and has started 25 in four seasons. Buford is entering his final season as a Husker and is looking to go out with a bang.
In 2024, Buford started 12 of NU’s 13 games. He recorded 35 tackles, one TFL, five pass breakups, one interception, and six passes defended. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound DB is projected to start at safety opposite returning starter Malcolm Hartzog.
The Huskers could have their deepest backfield in several years. That starts with veterans like Buford, Hartzog, and DeShon Singleton. Buford’s experience and leadership will be huge for the Huskers in John Butler’s new defense.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 20th | 21st | 16th | 22nd |
19. Henry Lutovsky, OL, Sr.
Henry Lutovsky has become a key piece to Nebraska’s offensive line. His ability to play guard or tackle will be invaluable as Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka return from injury this fall. It’s hard to know if Corcoran and Prochazka will be full-go come Aug. 28, but Lutovsky will be.
O-line coach Donovan Raiola can plug Lutovsky in nearly anywhere. Lutovsky has played most of his career at right guard. He was Nebraska’s starting RG in 2024 and played 238 snaps at right guard in 2023.
Nearly all of Lutovsky’s in-game experience at Nebraska has been at guard, but NU feels confident he can hold down the right tackle position. Depending on the return of Corcoran and Prochazka and sophomore Gunnar Gottula, Lutovsky would start at left guard or right tackle this fall. But he will be on the field somewhere.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 19th | 19th | 17th | 21st |
18. Willis McGahee IV, LB, So.
Linebacker Willis McGahee IV is coming off a solid freshman campaign. Entering his sophomore season, he competes for the starting jack position against Oklahoma transfer Dasan McCullough. Whether he gets the nod or not, McGahee will spend plenty of time on the field for the Huskers in 2025.
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As a true freshman, he played in all 12 games. He recorded 13 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 1.0 sack, and one pass breakup. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker tied for a team-high two forced fumbles. He is coming off his back game as well. McGahee posted a career-high four tackles and his first career pass breakup against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl.
His 144 snaps in 2024 could line McGahee up for a sophomore breakout season.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 16th | 14th | 22nd | 23rd |
17. Heinrich Haarberg, TE, Sr.
Heinrich Haarberg switched to tight end after four seasons at quarterback. Haarberg was Dylan Raiola‘s backup QB last season and played a few snaps a game. However, in 2025, he will be Nebraska’s top tight end with sophomore Carter Nelson.
Standing at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Haarberg has consistently been one of the most athletic players on Nebraska’s roster during his four seasons with NU. Rhule and OC Dana Holgerson will use that athleticism at tight end for Haarberg’s final season.
Haarberg made his tight-end debut in Nebraska’s bowl game vs. Boston College. He recorded an eight-yard reception and an 85.7 PFF run blocking grade. Holgerson wants tight ends to be more offensively involved in 2025. Haarberg is a great weapon for Raiola and the Huskers’ offense.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 17th | 15th | 21st | 17th |
16. Andrew Marshall, CB, So.
Idaho transfer Andrew Marshall looks to have the edge on being Nebraska’s starting cornerback opposite Ceyair Wright.
In his two years at Idaho, Marshall played in 26 games with 14 starts. He posted 72 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Marshall was the best cornerback in the Big Sky conference in 2024.
He could also earn a punt returning starting position alongside wide receiver Jacory Barney. The 6-foot-0, 185-pound corner returned a punt and a kickoff return for a touchdown as a Vandal.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 24th | 11th | 12th | 19th |
