2026 NFL Draft Rankings: Nebraska’s Top 10 Prospects Poised to Set the Tone for the Next Cornhuskers NFL Wave…Read More…
LINCOLN, Neb. — As the 2026 NFL Draft cycle begins to take shape, Nebraska Cornhuskers football is quietly emerging as a source of rising pro talent. While the program continues rebuilding under coach Matt Rhule, analysts are spotlighting a handful of Huskers who may hear their names called when the lights shine on the draft stage next spring.
Here’s a look at Nebraska’s top 10 2026 NFL Draft prospects, according to recent rankings and scouting evaluations.
1. Mac Markway – Tight End (TE)
Topping Nebraska’s board is Mac Markway, a 6-4, 250-pound tight end who has drawn notice as a possible day-one draft pick, at least in terms of his positional stock. According to NFLDraftBuzz, he leads the Cornhuskers in rating among draft-eligible players.
Markway’s combination of size, receiving ability, and blocking potential gives him multi-dimensional appeal for pro teams. While his 40-yard dash or other testing numbers haven’t widely surfaced, his projection suggests he could grow into a reliable pro tight end with enough refinement.
2. Demitrius Bell – Wide Receiver (WR)
At No. 2 on the list is Demitrius Bell, a 6-0, 195-pound receiver. According to NFLDraftBuzz’s Cornhuskers rankings, Bell is a compelling deep-threat candidate.
Though not the biggest or fastest receiver on Nebraska’s roster, Bell’s route-running instincts, hands, and body control in contested situations have earned praise from evaluators. He may not be a guaranteed first-rounder, but he profiles well for day-two consideration if he continues to refine his game.
3. Kwinten Ives – Running Back (RB)
Kwinten Ives slots in at No. 3. The 6-3, 215-pound back brings a rare blend of size and athleticism to Nebraska’s backfield.
Ives isn’t your typical small, shifty running back; his frame allows him to absorb contact and potentially pick up extra yards after contact, but he also has the agility to make defenders miss. Pro scouts see him as a candidate for a third-day draft pick who could carve out a role as a power ball-carrier with receiving upside.
4. Riley Van Poppel – Defensive Lineman (DL)
On the defensive front, Riley Van Poppel stands out at No. 4. Listed at 295 pounds and 6-5 in height, he is among the heavier and more physically imposing defensive linemen in Nebraska’s projected draft class.
Van Poppel’s size helps him anchor against the run, but scouts are also intrigued by his potential to develop a pass-rush counter. If he can improve his first-step quickness and hand technique, he could draw interest as a rotational DL or situational pass rusher.
5. Brock Knutson – Offensive Guard (OG)
Brock Knutson, a 6-7, 310-pound offensive guard, ranks at No. 5 for Nebraska. According to NFLDraftBuzz, his strength, length, and anchoring ability make him a compelling interior lineman prospect.
In today’s NFL, guards who can move defenders, handle power, and show positional versatility are in high demand. Knutson’s frame is already pro-caliber; with refined technique and consistency, he could become a mid-round pick with starter potential.
6. Cameron Lenhardt – Defensive Lineman (DL)
At No. 6 is Cameron Lenhardt, another defensive lineman for Nebraska’s 2026 batch. Weighing around 270 pounds at 6-3, Lenhardt is viewed as more of an athletic, possibly penetrating defender.
His leaner build suggests he could be used as a sub-package lineman or a hybrid defender who can slide around, make plays in space, and provide some flexibility for NFL defensive coordinators. With continued development, he could be a valuable third-day pick.
7. Dane Key – Wide Receiver (WR)
Dane Key, a 6-3, 210-pound receiver, sits at No. 7 on the list. He transferred to Nebraska after stints elsewhere, and his physical tools are generating buzz.
All Access Football notes Key as a top draft-eligible Husker. Key’s size, strength, and contested-catch ability make him a potential red-zone weapon at the next level. He projects as a potential day-two pick if he can continue capitalizing on his physical upside.
8. Dasan McCullough – Linebacker / Safety (LB / S)
Coming in at No. 8 is Dasan McCullough, a 6-5, 235-pound athlete. Though he has linebacker experience, NFLDraftBuzz lists him at “S” (safety) in its 2026 prospects page.
McCullough’s unique size-speed blend gives him real positional flexibility. He could be used in multiple roles: as a big safety, a coverage linebacker, or even in the box. Scouts love his physicality and range but will want to see him refine instincts and tackling technique against top-tier competition.
9. Isaiah Neyor – Wide Receiver (WR)
Isaiah Neyor, rated No. 9 on Nebraska’s 2026 board, is another receiver to watch. At 6-4 and around 218 pounds, he combines size with field-stretching ability.
Neyor’s frame and explosiveness suggest he could be a big-play guy in the NFL. He may start as a developmental option, but his physical traits give him upside that teams will find difficult to ignore if he continues improving in route-running and consistency.
10. Ceyair Wright – Cornerback (CB)
Rounding out the top 10 is Ceyair Wright, a 6-0, 190-pound cornerback. He’s rated at 74.0 by NFLDraftBuzz in their Cornhuskers rankings.
Wright’s coverage ability, length, and athleticism make him a sleeper candidate. While he may not be viewed yet as a day-one starter at the next level, his profile suggests he could be a zone corner or boundary defender in a sub-package, with potential to grow into a more consistent pro role.
Why These Prospects Matter for Nebraska
Nebraska’s rise in the 2026 Draft conversation is significant in more ways than just individual talent. Historically, the Cornhuskers have not produced NFL talent at the same rate as many of their Big Ten peers. As pointed out by Sports Illustrated, building a reliable pipeline to the pros has been a struggle in recent seasons — and doing so could reshape Nebraska’s recruiting narrative.
The top-10 list spans all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and the trenches. That balance signals healthy depth, at least on paper, for a Nebraska squad that’s still reconstructing. In particular, having two offensive linemen (Knutson, Lenhardt) and multiple dynamic skill players (Key, Bell, McCullough) could help prove to NFL scouts that Lincoln is becoming a place where pro-caliber players develop.
Challenges & Questions Ahead
Of course, “top-10 prospects” is one thing; translating that into actual draft picks is another. Several of these players will need to prove themselves during the 2025 college season (and potentially pre-draft events) to validate these high draft projections.
- For Markway and Knutson, sustained production and refinement in blocking and consistency will be key.
- For receivers like Bell, Key, and Neyor, they must assert themselves against Big Ten competition and improve on contested catches.
- For McCullough and Van Poppel, the challenge lies in translating raw physical traits into reliable pro-level technique.
- For Wright, the stepping-stone will be showing that coverage tools can match up against NFL-level speed.
Also, Nebraska’s coaching and development will play a huge role. Head coach Matt Rhule and his staff will need to continue emphasizing pro-style preparation, scheme versatility, and strong player development to turn this class into genuine NFL contributors.
Outlook
If even a handful of these ten prospects make the leap to the NFL, it could mark a turning point for Nebraska’s modern football identity. A robust 2026 draft class would not only boost the school’s prestige but also reinforce its recruiting pitch: that in Lincoln, athletes can grow and earn their shot in the pros.
Further, the presence of multiple draft-caliber players across positions underscores Nebraska’s potential to rebuild into both a strong college team and an NFL talent factory.
As 2025 unfolds — with spring ball, fall games, and pre-draft evaluations — all eyes will be on these ten Huskers. Their performance could determine whether the 2026 NFL Draft becomes a breakout moment for Nebraska’s pro pipeline … or just another promising but ultimately unrealized cohort.
Leave a Reply