It’s not just that Jamal Rule landed on The Athletic’s 20 most impactful freshmen list through the first month of the 2026 season; it’s that he wasn’t really on the publication's radar before September. And yet, while Nebraska fans wait to see if he can play against Maryland, it’s clear the running back has impressed everyone who has watched him play.
Rule scored six touchdowns in three games, matching the Cornhuskers’ best three-game scoring start since Taylor Martinez in 2011. That definitely put him on the radar of national analysts like Manny Navarro.
That Rule went from one of three guys fighting for the starting job for Nebraska to looking like he was about to be the workhorse. Then he managed to get just four carries against Michigan State before suffering an injury to his foot or leg. The Spartans held him to his worst collegiate game by a wide margin, though it’s not like they bottled him up.
His performance in the first three games of the year is why he’s still among the most impactful freshmen in the country. He's ranked No. 4 on that list. Despite being a 3-star running back in college who wasn’t recruited by many Power 4 programs.
Jamal Rule ranks among college football’s most impactful freshmen after Nebraska breakout
“Rule’s uncertain availability after leaving the Michigan State game interrupted one of September’s best freshman debuts. The North Carolina native leads all freshmen with 333 yards rushing in four appearances and two starts.”
That he’s leading all freshmen with just two starts is another reason Rule is turning the college football world on its head. Matt Rhule and his coaching staff saw something that very few at their level did, and they’re reaping the rewards. Defenses can’t stop him. Hopefully the injury won’t either.
A look at the freshman ranked directly below Rule shows how much he’s shone despite an under-the-radar recruiting profile. No. 5 on this list is USC wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. No. 6 is Trojans’ tight end Mark Bowman, and No. 7 is Luke Wafle, a defensive end from USC.
All three of those weren’t just higher on recruiting rankings; they were light-years ahead of Rule in the 2026 class.
Dixon-Wyatt was the No. 59 recruit in the class. Bownman was the No. 30 player, and Wafle was the No. 6 player. The latter two were 5-star prospects. Can’t-miss players.
Rule, meanwhile, finished his recruitment ranked No. 865 in the 2026 class, No. 54 at his position, and No. 32 in North Carolina.
Despite not being nearly as highly ranked, he’ll likely remain one of the season's biggest surprises, assuming he doesn't miss significant time. He could also be one reason Nebraska has a much better 2026 than many expected.
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