Top 40 Huskers for 2025: 26-30

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 26-30, which features multiple notable names returning from offseason surgeries or redshirt seasons.

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30. Janiran Bonner, WR, Jr.

Janiran Bonner played a unique role for Nebraska last season after switching positions. The former fullback began 2024 as the Huskers’ starting slot receiver. However, he saw his role decrease as the season progressed and Jacory Barney largely took over the slot role.

Bonner was only targeted 13 times last year, 90% of which came less than 10 yards downfield or behind the line of scrimmage. He made a significant impact on the ground attack, however, as 44% of his 222 total snaps came in run-blocking scenarios. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder still found the end zone twice in 2024.

Amid an upgraded receiving core with multiple new faces, Bonner provides valuable cohesion as one of the longest-tenured Huskers. Expect the junior to remain a key part of the rotation, particularly given the emphasis offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has put on improving perimeter blocking.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
33	26	30	35

29. Turner Corcoran, OL, Sr.

After another injury-shortened campaign in 2024, Turner Corcoran returns for his sixth season in Lincoln. He began last year as Nebraska’s starting left tackle before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in the Illinois game.

The former top-100 recruit made 30 consecutive starts from 2021-2023 but has only played in four games since. Corcoran’s health remains a massive question mark as he recovers from surgery. He sat out of spring ball for the second consecutive year.

Unlike last year, however, the Huskers won’t enter the season relying on either Corcoran or Teddy Prochazka at the left tackle position as they added Alabama transfer Elijah Pritchett from the portal. If Corcoran can stay healthy, he will provide a significant bonus to an offensive line that made strides this offseason. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder had a strong start to 2024, allowing just two pressures and two QB hurries in the first three games.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
35th	28th	31st	27th

28. Carter Nelson, TE, So.

Carter Nelson also sat out this spring following an offseason hip surgery. The former four-star tight end recruit suited up at wide receiver in 2024, but has bulked up to 238 pounds and will join the TE room next year.

Nelson appeared in 11 games as a true freshman while playing 82 snaps. He began the season with back-to-back multi-reception outings but only received three more targets until the regular-season finale against Iowa.

In just 10 receptions and 86 yards, Nelson flashed the explosiveness and burst that earned him the No. 3 overall TE ranking in the 2024 recruiting class. His best outing came against Northern Iowa with four grabs for 48 yards and a touchdown. With the departures of Thomas Fidone and Nate Boerkircher, Nebraska returns only 66 receiving yards in the tight end room. If healthy, Nelson will play a key role in the pass attack.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
27th	25th	27th	26th

27. Riley Van Poppel, DL, So.

After waiting in the wings for two seasons, Riley Van Poppel will anchor the Huskers’ defensive line in 2024. The sophomore expects to help fill the gaping holes left by Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher with two years of vital experience under his belt.

Van Poppel redshirted last season, playing in just four regular-season games and the Pinstripe Bowl. That decision was made following an impressive true-freshman campaign in which he suited up for 113 snaps. His playing time took a significant dip in 2024, down to just 42 regular-season snaps.

With more opportunities to go around this year, Van Poppel’s role on the D-line will skyrocket. He’s spent the last 12 months developing physically — adding eight pounds of muscle to a 6-foot-5 frame — and mentally while supporting his team from the sidelines.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
30th	27th	23rd	25th

26. Cortez Mills, WR, Fr.

Cortez Mills joined the program as an early enrollee this spring and is already turning heads. The former four-star recruit was coveted by a slew of big-time programs but ultimately flipped from Oklahoma to Nebraska on signing day.

At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Mills earned high school All-American honors for Homestead High School in Homestead, Florida. He racked up 1,640 yards and 18 touchdowns during his junior season, becoming the No. 18-ranked WR in the cycle. He is Nebraska’s second-highest ranked recruit in its 2025 class.

Mills joins fellow standout true freshman receiver Isaiah Mozee as an added bonus to an already promising WR room. Both will push for significant playing time this fall.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
22nd	24th	25th	29th

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