One of the signs that Nebraska football has a lot of doubters it needs to prove wrong is that there aren't many Huskers on pre-season lists and in magazines regarding pre-season All-American teams and the like. However, there is at least one Cornhusker who has enough raw talent that Phil Steele believes he rates out as one of the best punt returners in the game. Should the long-time college football analyst be right, it appears that Jacory Barney could bring some serious excitement to Memorial Stadium in 2026.
Steele does things a little differently from most publications. He lists out four pre-season All-American teams and includes four teams worth of special teamers. This is where Barney comes in, as the lone representative of the Huskers.
The Nebraska wide receiver, who is also expected to have a big season catching passes from Anthony Colandrea this season, has shown explosive ability on special teams before 2026. It looks like Steele thinks Barney will take the next step in his development as he's named to the Fourth-Team punt returner.
By making the list, Barney is recognized as the fourth-best punt returner in the country behind only Texas' Ryan Niblett, South Carolina's Vicari Swain, and Wake Forest's Carlos Hernandez. Steele appears to believe that Barney will outshine his impact as a wide receiver by returning punts. The most interesting tidbit in that fact is that Barney was also quite effective returning kickoffs in 2025.
Jacory Barney gives Nebraska football a lone Phil Steele preseason All-American pick
That's not to say that Barney couldn't turn into quite the weapon for the Nebraska offense. In his first year with the Huskers, he hauled down 55 receptions for 447 yards. He also returned 3 punts and 14 kickoffs for a total of 298 yards.
Last season, he tallied 45 catches for 484 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also returned 22 punts for 270 yards. He had a long return of 57 yards. He also returned 13 kicks for 275 yards.
There's plenty of concern about Nebraska's special teams in 2026 after much-heralded coordinator Mike Ekeler departed Lincoln for USC after one year working with Matt Rhule. While it was only one season, he seemingly led an impressive turnaround, especially when NU was attempting field goals or extra points.
Just how the unit performs under new co-special teams coordinators Brett Maher and Nick Humphrey is one of the bigger questions for Nebraska in 2026. If the Huskers can lean on Jacory Barney as one of the best punt returners in the country, it would be a huge step in the right direction as they hope to show real improvement in Matt Rhule's fourth season in Lincoln.
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