As the Nebraska football team continues its fall camp, some position battles are starting to take shape. One of the most critical positions, at left tackle, is especially becoming a bit clearer while simultaneously heating up. The fight is going to another level mainly because transfer offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett continues to impress head coach Matt Rhule and offensive line coach Donovan Raiola.
Pritchett arrived at Nebraska from Alabama with a less-than-stellar track record. According to PFF, he was one of the worst-rated blockers in specific categories; however, considering he's a monster of a player who always seemed more than a little odd. He's so good in raw talent, he's regarded as one of the Huskers' top prospects to get drafted.
Elijah Pritchett’s early surge puts him atop Nebraska football’s blind-side depth chart
According to Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule, Pritchett is living up to that hype. However, he's also still getting his feet under him as a new member of the Cornhuskers.
“He’s got a tremendous battle on his hands.”
— Mason Kern (@MasonKernMedia) August 3, 2025
Matt Rhule says Alabama transfer Elijah Pritchett is “continuing to get comfortable” in the #Huskers system 🏈
Overall impression: “I really like where he’s at — I like where the whole O-line is at.”@WOWT6News pic.twitter.com/rG0z3eK1C7
"Elijah's done a really nice job," Rhule said as he met the media on Saturday evening after the Big Red Preview. "He's got a tremendous battle on his hands. You know, we have battles in all the positions. Part of it for him is, you know, he's still working on all the newness of it."
Rhule also took a bit of a shot at the offense that SEC power Alabama runs, seemingly placing some of the blame for Pritchett's performance in 2024 on Kalen Deboer.
"You know, this is not some college spread offense," Rhule added. "We do all the things that we do. I did when I was at the Giants. Donnie did when he was at the Bears. Just high-level things, which is why we believe we're preparing guys for the next level. So it's just about him continuing to get comfortable. I really like where he's at. I like where the whole line's at."
Pritchett hasn't won the starting job yet. However, those looking at the Nebraska football team and how practices are playing out, it seems like he might be the unofficial front-runner.