Top 40 Huskers for 2024: 16-20
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 continues with players 16-20, a group that Nebraska will rely heavily on across the board in 2024.
Series: 36-40 | 31-35 | 26-30 | 21-25
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20. Javin Wright, LB, Sr.
At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, Javin Wright has always been a unique talent. The issue during the first part of his college career was figuring out where to play him.
Nebraska appeared to have finally found a home for the sixth-year senior from Chandler, Arizona, native last season. After moving from safety to linebacker, Wright played in all 12 games and tied for second on the team with a career-high 51 tackles.
With a rare combination of size to defend the run and speed to hold his own in coverage, the Huskers used Wright in various ways. He also added two interceptions, two pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. That versatility should continue to be valuable for NU’s defense in 2024.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 23rd | 13th | 21st | 27th |
19. John Bullock, LB, Sr.
A year ago, John Bullock was a converted defensive back trying to find a new home at inside linebacker. It didn’t take long for him to emerge as a fixture in Nebraska’s ILB rotation in 2023.
Bullock appeared in every game with 10 starts last season, ranking fourth on the team with a career-high 50 tackles. He returned for a sixth year in 2024, giving the Huskers some desperately needed experience and proven production at the position.
As it turned out, Bullock’s return could be critical for the Blackshirts’ success. He’s arguably the best ILB on the roster at a position that’s still a work in progress this offseason.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 32nd | 14th | 12th | 24th |
18. DeShon Singleton, S, Sr.
Safety DeShon Singleton is as good as any defensive back on Nebraska’s roster when healthy. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder is a physical specimen on the back end of the defense. He immediately earned the respect of the Husker staff by earning a single-digit jersey number a year ago.
Singleton started the first five games of 2023 before suffering a knee injury on the second play against Michigan. It was thought he might be able to return in November, but he suffered a setback in his recovery last season and was shelved for the remainder of the year.
Rhule recently announced that Singleton was full-go for summer workouts and would be ready to return to the field for fall camp. Assuming he’s back to his old self, he’ll be a critical piece of NU’s secondary this year.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 21st | 17th | 14th | 28th |
17. Jaylen Lloyd, WR, So.
Jaylen Lloyd burst onto the scene last year as a true freshman partly because of injuries/attrition at wide receiver. Following a strong spring, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound speedster looks like a sure bet to be a regular in Nebraska’s receiver rotation, if not a staple in the starting lineup.
The former Omaha Westside standout caught three passes for 97 yards in the spring game, including a 64-yard touchdown reception from projected starter Dylan Raiola. That followed his six catches for 237 yards (39.5 ypc) last year as a true freshman.
Most of all, Lloyd and Ohio State All-American Marvin Harrison Jr. were the only two Big Ten receivers with at least three 50-yard receptions during the 2023 season. Lloyd figures to be right up there with transfers Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor as a potential starter this fall.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 20th | 15th | 20th | 21st |
16. Isaiah Neyor, WR, Sr.
It didn’t take long for wide receiver Isaiah Neyor to make a splash in Nebraska’s offense. The Texas transfer’s experience, ability to create separation, and snag 50-50 balls instantly made him a unique piece in NU’s receiving corps.
Neyor spent three seasons at Wyoming and recorded 1,111 receiving yards in two seasons. He had 878 receiving yards on 44 catches in 2021 to earn second-team All-Mountain West honors. He transferred to Texas for two seasons – missing 2022 due to injury and only catching one ball for 14 yards in 2023.
Still, Neyor could be one of the Huskers’ most dynamic playmakers if he stays healthy. He had two receptions for 26 yards in the spring game and a 31-yard catch negated by a penalty. That could be a glimpse of things to come this season.
| Sean | Sipple | Robin | Abby |
| 14th | 18th | 25th | 13th |
