Just ahead of Nebraska’s Thursday appearance at Big Ten Media Days, the Cornhuskers updated their online roster with weights and other new measurements. However, among the usual gains or losses of five or 10 pounds for various players was one rather surprising position change. Jeremiah Jones will be lining up in 2026 as a defensive lineman. That’s noteworthy because he came to Lincoln in the 2025 class as a wide receiver.
While it’s a safe bet that head coach Matt Rhule will talk more about the change of position during his appearance on Thursday, it’s an interesting one if only because Jones was originally looked at as a big-bodied receiver who could push around defensive backs. After missing most of the season with an injury and eventually redshirting for the 2025 season, he’s put on a few pounds and now looks like a rush end who could rely on speed and reach to get around slower offensive tackles.
Nebraska’s pass rush was a real problem last fall, and it’s clear that new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich is looking for numerous ways to tweak his defensive front for 2026. It’s worth pointing out that while Jeremiah Jones was seen as a wide receiver after he signed with the Huskers, he did stand out on the defensive side of the ball in high school and racked up plenty of sacks during his prep career.
Jones joined the Huskers as a 6-foot-4, 217-pound 4-star athlete from Murray High School (Murray, KY), as a member of the 2025 recruiting class. Now, according to the official roster, he’s weighing in at 230 pounds, adding significant weight since coming to Lincoln. Jones needed that level of beefing up with his position switch.
Jeremiah Jones makes stunning move from receiver to Nebraska football defensive line
Jones recorded 1,014 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during his senior season at Murray while adding 117 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 11 sacks on defense. As a junior, he caught 22 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 304 yards and three scores, and completed 52 of 104 passes for 643 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, he added 66 tackles, four sacks, five tackles for loss, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Jones finished his high school career with 15 interceptions.
Considering the questions that surround the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ defense in 2026, it will certainly be interesting to see if the red-shirt freshman can make an impact on a revamped Blackshirts group.
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