With the start of Nebraska football’s fall camp just weeks away, it’s time to start looking and planning for who could be the biggest impact players on the 2026 season. Obviously, guys like Anthony Colandrea and Kwazi Gilmer, as well as Jacory Barney, are expected to be the big impact guys on offense. On defense, Dwayne McDougle and Andrew Marshall will be leaned on.
Knowing all that, players that no one saw coming emerge every season for every team across the country. They’re players that either were too young or too injured to be much of a factor before. Sometimes it’s both.
For Nebraska, there’s a very good chance one of the unforeseen big-time performers could come from a group of players who will be healthy and ready to go this fall, who were anything but when spring practice took place. Despite missing that crucial period to get ready for 2026 and gain a better understanding of whatever part of the game plan they might be a part of, fall camp might be good enough. Three players stand out from the crowd when trying to pick who among those that missed spring practice could be big contributors in 2026.
3 Nebraska football players who could make a big fall impact after missing spring practice
Janiran Bonner
Bonner entered last season talked about as being a kind of Swiss Army knife-type weapon for Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Then he tore his ACL after making one catch for four yards in the Nebraska season opener against Cincinnati. He missed the rest of the season and didn’t take part in spring practice, but he’s expected to be ready for fall camp, or shortly after its start.
Now in his fifth and final season with NU, Bonner has been used as a receiving and rushing threat, logging 13 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown, as well as eight rushes for 24 yards and two scores. Assuming he can get healthy, he could be used as a running back, a full back, a slot receiver, or a tight end. With that many options, as long as his knee holds up, he could be an impact player from one or more of them.
Dawson Merritt
Dawson Merritt came to the Huskers as a 4-star recruit. He got off to a decent start last year after missing spring practice. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in the eighth game of the season and missed his second straight spring practice.
Still, the sophomore showed that he didn’t need the spring to make an impact last season. If he can stay healthy, the linebacker has the build and the attitude that should allow him to be big in defensive coordinator Rob Aurich’s system.
Carter Nelson
Nelson moved from wide receiver to tight end last season, and he struggled to get on the field, though he did play in every game on special teams. Certainly it would have been better if he’d managed to keep working with the offense at tight end this spring, but entering his third season, he’s in position to be one of those players that didn’t absolutely need it.
Nelson has talked about having a killer mindset while also doing whatever is asked of him. Having been an eight-man standout and already started his career at wide receiver, it’s possible he could be another Nebraska Swiss Army knife. That could be especially impactful if Bonner isn’t back right away.
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