Top 40 Huskers for 2024: 21-25

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 21-25 featuring established veterans and a couple newcomers with bright futures.

Series: 36-40 | 31-35 | 26-30 |

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25. Princewill Umanmielen, LB, So.

Princewill Umanmielen is coming off a huge true freshman season. The linebacker burst onto the season with his impressive ability to get to the quarterback. He played in 11 games with one start in 2023. He recorded 22 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and four QB hurries. The Athletic named him a second-time freshman All-American.

However, the end of his season was riddled with an injury which kept him from the Michigan State game. He returned for two games. But, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker injured his shoulder at the start of Nebraska’s spring practices. He did not participate this spring.

Umanmielen should be ready for full speed for fall camp. He will be gearing up for a big sophomore campaign.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
22nd	32nd	18th	36th

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24. Malcolm Hartzog Jr., DB, Jr.

Defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. is a huge key to Nebraska’s secondary. His experience, talent, and versatility are critical for NU’s defense. Hartzog has started 15 games at cornerback and three as a safety for NU.

Rhule and Co. prefer Hartzog to play safety. However, due to injuries in the secondary, he could play cornerback. Projected CB starter Blye Hill suffered an injury during the Huskers’ spring game. NU added former USC defensive back Ceyair Wright to compete for the open corner spot. Hartzog is Nebraska’s next best option besides sophomore Jeremiah Charles.

In 2023, Hartzog recorded 40 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and six pass breakups. He allowed three touchdowns over 12 games. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound DB scored an 8.3 percent missed tackle rate, the third highest of Nebraska’s returners.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
26th	25th	36th	25th

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23. Micah Mazzccua, OL, Sr.

Florida transfer Micah Mazzccua is in a battle for Nebraska’s starting left guard position. He started 11 games at right guard for the Gators in 2023. He played 730 snaps at right guard at Florida. He allowed 14 quarterback pressures in 2023, including three sacks.

While he was at Baylor from 2020-2022, the 6-foot-5, 325-pound guard played 898 snaps at left guard. Over those snaps, he allowed 14 QB pressures. Mazzccua has experience playing on both sides of the center, which could come in handy if an injury occurs this season.

Mazzccua is competing with Justin Evans to be NU’s starting left guard. Evans started five games at left guard for the Huskers in 2023.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
18th	37th	16th	23rd

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22. James Williams, DL, So.

Defensive lineman James Williams was a surprise in 2023 and his coaches see him taking a huge step this season. Williams broke up a play, which led to his teammate’s getting sack, and then earned of sack on his own. Those were his first two plays as a Husker. Not bad.

Williams, who started the season on the scout team, earned four, tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss in four games. He claimed his redshirt in 2023.

The sophomore spent one season at Iowa Central Community College. Nebraska found him at a post-graduate camp during the summer of 2023. The Husker coaches talk like they’ve struck gold. We’ll see if Williams can become the dominant force they expect.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
30th	28th	23rd	12th

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21. Gabe Ervin Jr., RB, Jr.

Running back Gabe Ervin Jr. is coming back from a season-ending shoulder injury. He has suffered two season-ending injuries in his three seasons at Nebraska. The first step for the junior is to get healthy and stay healthy.

Ervin has played in 15 games over three seasons, recording 414 rushing yards on 95 attempts. The 6-foot-0, 220-pound back had a career-high 196 yards in three games. In his three games in 2023, two of which he started, Ervin averaged 5.2 yards per carry.

The junior has an opportunity to be a major contributor in the running back. Ervin and Emmett Johnson are the top two candidates for the starting position with several others in the mix as well.

Sean	Sipple	Robin	Abby
17th	22nd	27th	19th

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