Honestly, trying to pin down the Nebraska football depth chart 2024 at any given moment last season was like trying to catch a greased pig in a cornfield. It changed. A lot. But if you're looking back at how Matt Rhule and his staff navigated the year that finally got the Huskers back to a bowl game, the story is written in the names that stayed on the field and the ones who emerged out of nowhere.
The 2024 season wasn't just another year in Lincoln; it was the year the Dylan Raiola era officially began. Everyone knew he was the guy the moment he flipped from Georgia, but seeing a true freshman take every meaningful snap of the season? That's rare. Especially at a place where the pressure is basically a physical weight you can feel in the air.
The Raiola Factor and the QB Room
Let’s be real. The entire Nebraska football depth chart 2024 started and ended with No. 15. Dylan Raiola didn't just win the job; he owned it. He finished the season with 2,819 passing yards, which is a massive number for a freshman in the Big Ten.
Behind him, it was a bit of a "break glass in case of emergency" situation. Heinrich Haarberg, the local kid who carried the team through some dark spots in 2023, took a backseat. He was the primary backup, but Rhule used him more as a gadget player or a short-yardage hammer when they needed to get physical. Daniel Kaelin, another true freshman from Bellevue West, was the third man in line. He didn't see much action, but his presence meant Nebraska finally had a room full of guys who actually wanted to be there.
Who Was Catching the Ball?
The wide receiver rotation was a revolving door of talent. Jahmal Banks, the transfer from Wake Forest, was the "old man" of the group. He was the security blanket. He finished with 587 yards and a bunch of tough catches on third down. Then you had Isaiah Neyor, who looked like a world-beater early on against UTEP and Colorado but dealt with the usual ups and downs of a long season.
But the real shocker? Jacory Barney Jr.
The kid is electric. He led the team in receptions with 55. As a true freshman. Usually, you expect a guy like that to just be a returner, but by mid-October, he was basically the focal point of the short passing game.
- Jahmal Banks: The veteran possession receiver.
- Isaiah Neyor: The deep threat who kept safeties honest.
- Jacory Barney Jr.: The swiss-army knife in the slot.
- Thomas Fidone II: Finally healthy, he was the primary tight end and a red-zone favorite.
The Trenches: Where Games Were Won (and Lost)
If you followed the Nebraska football depth chart 2024, you know the offensive line was... a journey. Ben Scott anchored things at center. He was the glue. Bryce Benhart and Turner Corcoran were the veterans on the edges, but injuries forced guys like Teddy Prochazka and Gunnar Gottula into bigger roles than maybe they were ready for in September.
They struggled against the elite fronts. When Nebraska went to Columbus or Bloomington, the protection leaked. Raiola was sacked 5 times against Illinois alone. It’s hard to run a "smash mouth" offense when your quarterback is running for his life.
The Blackshirts' Defensive Identity
Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense is a nightmare to prepare for, mostly because you never know where the pressure is coming from. The Nebraska football depth chart 2024 on defense was much more stable than the offense.
Ty Robinson and Nash "The Polar Bear" Hutmacher were absolute mountains in the middle. Robinson played the best football of his life, and Hutmacher was basically unblockable one-on-one.
In the secondary, Isaac Gifford was the heart and soul at the "Rover" position. He and DeShon Singleton cleaned up everything that got past the linebackers. Tommi Hill started the year as a lockdown corner, though he dealt with some nagging injuries that allowed USC transfer Ceyair Wright to step in and show why he was a blue-chip recruit. Wright was a massive addition, finishing with 45 tackles and some huge pass breakups.
The Running Back Carousel
Remember when we thought Gabe Ervin Jr. would be the bell cow? Football is a cruel game. Ervin and Rahmir Johnson both had their moments, but it was Dante Dowdell and Emmett Johnson who ended up carrying the load.
Dowdell is a bruiser. He finished with 614 yards. He’s the guy you want when it’s 3rd and 2 and you need to move the pile. Emmett Johnson is the "lightning" to Dowdell's "thunder"—he’s got better vision in the open field and ended up with nearly 600 yards himself.
Honestly, the "OR" on the depth chart at running back never really went away. Rhule liked the hot hand. If Emmett was cooking, he stayed in. If they needed to kill clock, it was Dowdell time.
🔗 Read more: Ole Miss Rebels Football vs LSU Tigers Football: What Really Happened with the Magnolia Bowl
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Transition
Looking back at the Nebraska football depth chart 2024 provides the blueprint for what this team is becoming. Here is what you should keep an eye on as the roster evolves:
- Protecting the Franchise: The 2024 season proved that Dylan Raiola is the real deal, but he can't do it alone. Expect the staff to hit the portal hard for veteran tackles.
- Secondary Stability: With guys like Ceyair Wright and Deshon Singleton proving they can play at a high level, the "no-fly zone" is returning to Lincoln.
- The Kicking Game: This was the Achilles' heel. John Hohl eventually took over for Tristan Alvano, but special teams cost Nebraska at least two wins in 2024. This has to be fixed in camp.
The 2024 season ended with a 7-6 record and a Pinstripe Bowl trophy. It wasn't perfect, but for the first time in a decade, the depth chart actually looks like it belongs in the Big Ten.
Go ahead and keep an eye on the spring portal window—Matt Rhule has shown he isn't afraid to swap out a backup for a potential starter if the right fit comes along. The foundation is set; now it's just about refining the edges.