Since arriving in Lincoln, coach Matt Rhule and his staff has managed to have many recruiting wins, especially in the high school ranks with the likes of the recruitment of Dylan Raiola. On top of that, as true freshman, many of these players manage to make a major impact from day one, like Jacory Barney Jr.
During the 2025 recruiting class cycle, the Nebraska Cornhuskers managed to land key commitments and many of those players could see an opportunity to make an impact right away. Here is the third iteration of 2025 Nebraska Top 5 Preseason series; Five true freshman that could have a major impact for the Huskers in 2025.
Top 5 Impact Freshman for Huskers in 2025
5. Malcolm Simpson (DL, Hitchcock, Texas)
To kick off this list, four-star defensive lineman out of Hitchcock, Texas Malcolm Simpson graces the list. Simpson was a major get for Nebraska, as he was a top-20 recruit for his position and beat out USC and Texas for his commitment. Despite limited film that showcases his skills, he still has shown his athleticism and potential explosiveness off the line. Simpson showed that with videos on the basketball court. However, Simpson will be playing football but there is a possibility that he could make an impact for the defensive line in his freshman year.
4. Kade Pietrzak (DL, West Fargo, ND)
North Dakota’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class takes the fourth spot for the list. Kade Pietrzak was a four-star defensive lineman out of West Fargo, North Dakota and was the North Dakota High School Player of the Year according to MaxPreps. Pietrzak logged 58 total tackles, 26 for loss and five sacks as a senior at Sheyenne High School.
The defensive line was one of the biggest needs for Nebraska in the 2025 class due to the losses of Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson, who are off to the NFL. Despite there being more older contributors in the position group, Pietrzak should be able to see some action in 2025 and could make impact right away, even if he gets redshirted.
3. Cortez Mills (WR, Homestead, Fla.)
Four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills commitment during the early signing period back in December marked another South Beach implant for Nebraska in its attempt to continue to build a pipeline from Florida to Nebraska. Before Signing Day, Mills had been committed to the Oklahoma Sooners but flipped on December 4.
Up until that day, Mills was considered one of the top receiver prospects in the country and was a high school All-American, participating in the 2025 Navy All-American Game. Despite only playing in five games, Mills logged 466 receiving yards and six touchdowns, but as a junior, he caught 79 passes for 1,640 yards and 18 touchdowns. Nebraska sure has to hope that Mills can replicate anything similar to his junior season while being a Huskers and he has the potential to do so. It is expected that Mills could get some reps as a true freshman alongside veteran players like Dane Key and key sophomores Jacory Barney Jr and Nyziah Hunter.
2. Christian Jones (LB, Elkhorn, Neb.)
The No. 2 spot goes to the No. 1 player out of Nebraska for the 2025 class, four-star linebacker Christian Jones. Jones played on both sides of the ball for the Omaha Westside Warriors, but obviously stood out on defense, logging 94 tackles, including 16 for loss and three sacks. Jones was one of the top gets for the Huskers for the 2025 class and beat out numerous power four schools. To top it all, he was the 2024 High School Butkus Award winning, which goes to the top prep linebacker.
Now, the linebacker position group was heavily reloaded after the departures of MJ Sherman and Mikai Gbayor, with Dasan McCullogh and Marques Watson-Trent, on top of talent that was on the roster last season like Vincent Shavers and Willis McGahee. Jones will most likely see action in 2025 at the same level as Shavers and McGahee had last season. Which wasn’t a whole lot but they made the best out of it with Shavers expected to be a starter this fall. Jones is in the same company and will be something to really watch this season.
1. Dawson Merritt (OLB, Stilwill, Kan.)
For Blue Valley High School, four-star outside linebacker Dawson Merritt was a force to be reckoned with. Between his junior and senior season (despite it being cut short), Merritt logged 141 total tackles with 14 sacks, 28 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles. He was originally committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide before Rhule and his staff managed to flip his commitment to the Huskers as a top 100 overall recruit in the 2025 class.
Merritt is a big time win for Nebraska and he might have the biggest impact among the true freshman in 2025 and his potential is sky high. He will be one of the top players to watch for the Huskers and will be an interesting stat box to watch throughout the season.
Main Image: © Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
