Four important storylines for Nebraska during the spring practice period (2025)

Nebraska football's spring practice period is in full swing, and over the next couple of weeks, several storylines will unfold, and questions will be answered. The Huskers are looking to build off a 7-6 season that concluded with a win over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Led by sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola, the Huskers will look to take that next step as a program. With a favorable schedule and a new-look coaching staff, everything is in place for Nebraska to take a third-year jump under head coach Matt Rhule.

TheCornhuskerswill end the spring practice period on Saturday, April 26, but they will not hold a traditional spring football game. Instead, Nebraska will host the inaugural edition of the Husker Games, allowing fans to preview Nebraska football for the upcoming 2025 season.

The event will feature 7-on-7 games and skills competitions similar to the NFL's Pro Bowl games. Nebraska greats of the past will also participate in various skills competitions. There will also be a women's flag football game between Midland University and the UNL all-star intramural team.

Scroll below to take a look at the questions Nebraska will try to answer during the 2025 spring practice period.

Who will back up running back Emmett Johnson?

Running back has been one of the biggest storylines of the spring. Last season's starter, Emmett Johnson, figures to be the starter. It’s the depth pieces that have generated the most intrigue.

How will the defensive line replace Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson?

The defensive line room will look a bit different this coming season. Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, and James Williams are all no longer with the program. Terry Bradden is the new d-line coach after Terrance Knighton departed for Florida State.

The Huskers did try to address the departures, bringing in guys like Williams Nwaneri, Jaylen George, and Gabe Moore from the transfer portal. Nwaneri is a former five-star recruit who came to Nebraska from Missouri. He recorded two tackles and a sack in the 2024 season for the Tigers.

Nwaneri played high school football at Lee’s Summit North High School in Missouri. His high school coach, Jamar Mozee, is currently on the Nebraska football staff.

There are also guys who have been with the program a bit longer and who have the chance to make an impact. Keona Davis and Riley Van Poppel come to mind as players who can take the next step under new defensive coordinator John Butler.

Who will be the starting center this fall?

Nebraska entered the spring without knowing who the starting center will be when the season opens on Aug. 31. According to offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, Justin Evans-Jenkins would be the starting center if the season began today. That said, Sam Sledge is also making an impression at center.

Henry Lutovsky, Teddy Prochazka, Turner Corcoran, and Gunner Gottula will surely add depth to a line that has been holding his own throughout the course of the spring. Coach Matt Rhule gave the line praise earlier this month.

“We’re definitely improving and, like I said, it’s one of the high spots right now for us.'

Offensive line play has been inconsistent for Nebraska football for several seasons. It sounds like they are finally finding consistency. Of course, there’s still a long way to go between now and the regular season. Nevertheless, the early returns are solid.

Can the wide receivers help Dylan Raiola take the next step as a quarterback?

The wide receiver room is expected to be one of the major highlights for Nebraska football this season. The program was able to pick up some key additions in the transfer portal, with Dane Key coming over from Kentucky and Nyziah Hunter from California.

Last season, Key had 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns. In three seasons in Lexington, he had 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hunter only spent one year in Berkley and played in 12 games for the Golden Bears, with 40 receptions for 578 yards and five touchdowns.

Those two should be able to add big-play ability to Holgorsen's offense. On top of this, it sounds like Key has established a solid rapport with Dylan Raiola.

Switching from players with experience, freshman wideouts Isaiah Mozee and Cortez Mills have generated a lot of buzz throughout the spring. Both can get downfield quickly and make things happen after the catch. It sounds like they are also impressing the staff, as Holgorsen thinks they will be able to see some playing time in the fall.

"They will be contributors in the fall... 1-on-1 reps those guys probably have the highest percentage success rate."

The wide receiver room is loaded with talent and is in a much better spot than it was at this time last year. The emergence of important transfers and dynamic freshmen are expected to help Dylan Raiola take the next step as a quarterback and should help the offense find some consistency in 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: The biggest storylines for Nebraska football this spring