As the Nebraska football team tries to figure out who will start on defense and who will get plenty of playing time, a true freshman in Kade Pietrzak might have stepped to the forefront.
One of three true freshmen defensive linemen on the Huskers, he is the only one who is healthy among the trio of himself, Malcolm Simpson, and Tyson Terry. That alone isn't the reason why the former 4-star prospect out of Sheyenne (West Fargo, ND) is looking like someone who could take a big step onto the field.
Nebraska football's Kade Pietrzak could see early playing time
One of his Nebraska football teammates who knows a thing or two about playing as a freshman is especially impressed by what he's seen from Pietrzak. Riley Van Popple thinks the young player has the mindset that will come in handy in 2025.
"He’s not scared. He’s going to try to go out there and run you over," Van Poppel said about his teammate after a practice earlier this week.
That's something he's done for a while. Pietrzak’s high school film shows a physical and heavy-handed violent line-of-scrimmage player with an explosive get-off and motor. Pietrzak relied on his brute strength and bull-rushing ability to blow through offenses and was effective as a run defender and pass rusher. He recorded 58 tackles in 2024 as well as 26 tackles for loss and five sacks. As a junior, Pietrzak had 72 tackles, 19 TFLs, and two sacks.
Brute force might not work precisely the same way at the college level. He'll need to learn how to do more than try and drive people backwards. But as a freshman, it looks like Nebraska football could at least allow him to cut his teeth and show what he can do. And it sure doesn't sound like he'll back down if given the opportunity.