With classes underway in Lincoln and players in the midst of the third week of winter conditioning workouts, Nebraska updated its official online roster on Tuesday morning, providing updates on several positions for the spring and updating who is on the roster after the offseason.
Here’s a quick look at what stood out:
— Veteran Nebraska guard
Ethan Piper is no longer listed on the roster. Piper suffered a serious season-ending knee injury in the win over Northwestern and was seen on the sidelines toward the end of the regular season in a wheelchair watching his teammates going through warmups.
Piper has one season of eligibility remaining if he wants it, but faces a long road of rehabilitation to return from the injury. Piper started 15 games for the Huskers at guard over the last two seasons. His situation will likely be addressed by Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule at an early February press conference.
"As I'm talking to Ethan, he's like, 'Yeah, this really stinks but it's probably a really good thing for the team because now Justin (Evans-Jenkins) is getting some reps, you can really develop him.' To think that anybody could think like that," Rhule said in admiration of the injured Husker O-lineman's attitude after the season-ending setback.
— Also no longer listed on the roster is former Alabama defender Kaine Williams. Williams played in four games -- all in 2023 -- in his two seasons at Nebraska. Williams entered Nebraska as a safety, but moved to linebacker last season.
— Nebraska made official the move of former defensive lineman Ru’Quan Buckley from the defensive side of the ball to the offensive side of the ball.
Rhule said in November that he believes Buckley “is going to be a dynamic guard.”
— Nebraska redshirt freshmen
Jeremiah Charles and
Brice Turner are both listed as defensive backs. Charles and Turner spent time on both sides of the ball before transitioning over to defensive back late in the season in 2023. Defensive backs coach Evan Cooper and wide receivers coach Garret McGuire had been vocal in the fall with claiming both of the players for their respective side of the ball.
— Senior wide receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda remains on the roster after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year against Minnesota.
— Redshirt freshman
Jason Maciejczak is listed as an offensive lineman on the current roster update, while redshirt freshman lineman
Mason Goldman is listed on the defensive side of the ball.
— Walk-on punter Jacob Hohl, who entered the transfer portal, but removed his name last week, is now back on the Huskers’ spring roster.
— Several Nebraska walk-ons, who went through Senior Day ceremonies with eligibility remaining are no longer listed on the roster. That includes special teams standout Grant Tagge, running back Treven Luben, fullback Braden Klover, lineman Keegan Menning and defensive back Ashton Hausmann.
— Nebraska’s updated roster also includes players who have signed, but are not yet on campus and won’t go through spring ball. When those players are factored into the mix, the Husker roster sits at 149 players.
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