Nebraska football fans will have to pardon Dwayne McDougle for his rather brash comments following Saturday's spring game. The safety stepped to the podium after the final practice of the season and proclaimed that he believed the Huskers could have the best defense in the Big Ten this year.
Unsurprisingly, the reaction from a large portion of the fans was eyerolls and deep sighs. Husker fans have been here before. Especially this time of year. However, McDougle hasn't.
The former San Diego State Aztec is spending his first and only season in Lincoln in 2026. He hasn't been through the disappointing finishes, the lack of a bowl game for almost a decade, the promises from multiple Nebraska coaches every spring about how "this year will be different." Maybe, after a spring game that had the least amount of excitement around it since 2019, fans should realize that the transfer safety has fresh eyes and the public shouldn't be so quick to try and snuff out his confidence.
"We may be the best defense in the Big Ten. That’s my opinion."
— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) March 28, 2026
San Diego State transfer safety Dwayne McDougle has major confidence in the #Huskers defense following the spring game. @KETV pic.twitter.com/sliw3zAn5X
Dwayne McDougle believes Nebraska football can have the Big Ten’s best defense
"I think this group is pretty good. Well, not pretty good. I think we're going to be great this year. I think we may be the best defense in the Big Ten. That's my opinion."Â
Strong words from a man who has only ever seen Nebraska up close and personal when the team wasn't playing anyone but themselves. However, he's not just basing his comments on what he's seen from his teammates this spring.
McDougle played last year under new NU defensive coordinator Rob Aurich. It just so happens their San Diego State team had one of the best defenses in the country. The veteran safety believes Aurich's gameplan will translate to the Big Ten well.
"Just coming from this defense before, we got bigger bodies up front. I think we can compete with anybody."
McDougle also knows what the problems for Nebraska were last year on the defensive side of the ball. He believes that's been fixed for 2026.
"We're strong. We're really strong up front. I know last year they said they had trouble up front, but I don't see it this year. I think we're really going to be good this year on defense."
The most annoying thing about Husker fans poo-pooing McDougle's comments are that every single one of them, to a person has talked repeatedly about wanting Nebraska players to have more confidence, more swagger.
And yet, when one of the newest members of the team steps up and shows confidence and swagger after going through weeks of practice, fans want him to "just shut up and play."
The frustration over big talk is understandable. But maybe it's time for Nebraska fans to stop wanting humble warriors who apologize. Maybe it's time to welcome guys who go into a game believing they're the best in the country and see what happens.