With all the new faces in the Nebraska football team’s wide receiver room, one of the biggest questions for the 2025 season is “who is really going to step up and lead?” That question gets bigger considering that there isn’t really a veteran voice on the team. Not a senior receiver who has been with the program for four years.
Count Jacory Barney among those who is willing to step up and has already shown some leadership qualities. In the era of the transfer portal, a soon-to-be sophomore might be the best bet for “veteran leadership” on teams.
The Nebraska football wide receiver recently talked about his desire to be someone who his teammates could lean on. And someone who could teach the new arrivals, including Dane Key and Hardley Gilmore from Kentucky, about how things are done in Lincoln.
"I do got to continue to bring the energy and let those guys feed off me and get all of us to have that attack mindset," Barney said earlier this week. The energy he’s talking about, that he’s bringing juice to practice has been noticed.
Jacorey Barney brings energy and leadership to Nebraska football receiver room
"The way that guy moves, it's very special," Key said about Barney before spring even began. "I haven't seen too many guy move and shift that he can. I know that he can be a very, very special football player."
"With us and all these guys, Dane and Hardley and me,” Barney added. “Cortez, all the young guys coming in. We've got some weapons to use. So it's going to be fun to watch."
Nebraska football fans are certainly hoping that it will be fun to watch.