Top 40 Huskers for 2024: 1-5

With Nebraska’s 2024 season around the corner, the HuskerOnline team voted on the Top 40 Husker players going into Matt Rhule‘s second season in Lincoln.

The voting criteria were to rank the players based on their importance to the team, overall talent, and future potential for the upcoming season. Our voters focused specifically on the 2024 season, not future seasons, a player’s long-term importance, or future talent.

The voting panel consisted of HuskerOnline publisher Sean Callahan, columnist Steven Sipple, senior writer Robin Washut, and staff writer Abby Barmore. Each voter submitted their own Top 40 list from which the votes were tallied.

Our annual Top 40 Huskers series concludes with players 1-5, the five most important players to Nebraska’s success or failure in 2024.

Series: 36-40 | 31-35 | 26-30 | 21-25 | 16-20 | 11-15 | 6-10 |

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5. Isaac Gifford, DB, Sr.

Nebraska’s leading tackler is back for his fifth and final season. Safety Isaac Gifford recorded 86 tackles in 2023, 35 more tackles than second place. He became the first Husker with more than 80 tackles since Nate Gerry in 2014.

Gifford also recorded 6.5 tackles and 0.5 sacks. He had eight pass breakups and his first and only career interception, which was against Louisiana Tech. The Lincoln Southeast product was an All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media in 2023.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder is one of the most important pieces to Nebraska’s secondary and defense. His leadership, experience and reliability are irreplaceable.

4. Thomas Fidone, TE, Jr.

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone could be on the brink of a breakout season. His first two seasons as a Husker were halted by two ACL injuries. Then, in 2023, he played in all 12 games with eight starts as NU’s top tight end. The Council Bluffs, Iowa native led the team with four touchdown catches and ranked second with 25 receptions for 260 receiving yards. His four touchdowns were the most by a Husker tight end since 2010.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior was the top tight end in the class of 2021. He had a great 2023 season, but Fidone and his coaches know he has not arrived yet. Offensive Coordinator Marcus Satterfield said a lot of NU’s offense will run through the tight end. Fidone is capable of carrying a big load and doing it incredibly well.

With a consistent and accurate quarterback, Fidone’s light could shine even brighter in 2024. Nebraska will lean on the tight end for huge plays in big-time moments. Fidone has proven he can handle the pressure and welcomes it.

3. Jahmal Banks, WR, Sr.

Wide receiver Jahmal Banks is one of Nebraska’s most important additions during the off-season. Banks added much-needed game experience to the Huskers’ WR room. He started 10 games for Wake Forest in 2023 and has played in 44 games over his four seasons with the Demon Deacons.

Last season, Banks had 59 receptions for a team-high 653 yards with four touchdowns. He had back-to-back 600-receiving-yard seasons. His Pro Football Focus offense grade (77.5) and drop grade (93.1) in 2023 are higher than any Husker on offense last season.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder likely will be the Huskers’ No. 1 wide receiver. He and Texas transfer Isaiah Neyor add incredible experience to a young but talented group. The Huskers desperately need a great wide receiver to emerge as a focal point of NU’s offense.

2. Nash Hutmacher, DL, Sr.

Nose tackle Nash Hutmacher is the most important player on Nebraska’s defense. The man in the middle is returning for his fifth and final season. It should be a great one. During the off-season, Hutmacher competed for the Husker wrestling team. He lost 30 pounds and got even stronger. Now, at 315 pounds, Hutmacher is prepared for what should be his best season yet.

The 6-foot-4 lineman has played in 35 games over the last three seasons with 14 starts. In 2023, he had a career-high 40 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Hutmacher was an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection after his first season starting more than two games.

The Oacoma, South Dakota, native was a key part of Nebraska’s defense having its best defensive performance since joining the Big Ten in 2011. The 2023 squad had NU’s best rushing defense (92.9 yards per game), total defense (303.5 yards per game) and scoring defense (18.3 points per game).

1. Dylan Raiola, QB, Fr.

A true freshman is arguably the most important player on Nebraska’s 2024 roster. Typically, HuskerOnline shies away from putting an inexperienced player so high on the top 40 list. However, quarterback Dylan Raiola has the single most important job on this team. After the quarterback position deeply struggled in 2023, the Huskers need someone they can trust. Raiola has every ability to fill that role.

Raiola, a former five-star, is Rhule’s most impressive recruiting pickup and has lived up to the hype so far. The freshman amazed in the Red-White Spring Scrimmage. He went 16-for-22 for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He has a strong, smooth and accurate arm.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound QB trained with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his trainer Bobby Stroupe over the summer. Raiola is reminiscent of the three-time Super Bowl-winning QB.

Nebraska added weapons to its wide receiver room and has promising pieces at tight end and running back. If Raiola can do his job well, it will be the difference in NU winning, losing or going to a bowl game.

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