With the Nebraska football team’s first game just five days away, head coach Matt Rhule released a Week 1 depth chart that carried a couple of big surprises along with it.
While there were some smaller tidbits of note, like the “OR” next to Mekhi Nelson so that he is essentially tied with Isaiah Mozee, true freshman Jamal Rule is the clear No. 3 in that rotation. However, the most noteworthy positions were along both lines.
On the offensive line, the selection of Gunnar Gottula for the starting right tackle job is both a surprise and something the Nebraska coaches telegraphed during training camp. Rhule talked early and often about how impressed he was with the junior, who is finally healthy and has been a full go since the first day of camp.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder even missed spring practice but came back very, very strong. That Gottula beat out Tree Babalade, who came over to the Huskers in the Transfer Portal, is also newsworthy. There’s also some good news, as it doesn’t appear this was a situation where the new arrival was dogging it in any way. Gottula beat Babalade out. That leaves the hope that this decision still gives Nebraska quite a bit of depth and talent.
Gottula started a total of 16 games in 2024 and 2025 but seemed to be overshadowed by Babalade at the start of camp a month ago. Buzz about Gottula’s strong play began a couple of weeks ago, and now the fans see why.
Nebraska football defensive line offers surprise starter
In the other big depth chart development, Owen Stoudmire, a transfer from Boston College, is listed as a starter at defensive tackle ahead of senior Riley Van Poppel, who played in all 13 games last season with three starts.
This move, too, isn’t totally shocking. There’s been talk most of camp that several defensive linemen weren’t playing all that well. Van Poppel was one of those mentioned as struggling. Stoudmire, like Gottula, had gotten some rave reviews in the last few weeks of camp and will now get the first chance to start in Week 1 against Ohio.
When Nebraska opens Saturday against Ohio, the Huskers will have two transfers starting in the interior line of Rob Aurich’s new 4-2-5 system. The other starter isn’t a surprise at all. Pitt transfer Jahsear Whittington won the other starting DL job, with sophomore Tyson Terry and senior Sua Lefotu sharing the top backup role behind Whittington.
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