HUSKERS FOOTBALL: Blackshirts to Come and Single-Digit Jerseys Announced!
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(PRE-WRITE – Rhule said Monday, these will likely be announced on Saturday morning, but keep eye out Friday)
When asked about Blackshirts and single-digit jerseys at his press conference on Monday, Head Coach Matt Rhule said, “Those guys know who it is, but we’ll probably keep it internal this week.”
He then added he expected the announcements to be released on Saturday morning ahead of the home and season opener against Ohio. He said, “Probably a fun thing on Saturday. You guys will have a lot to tweet on Saturday.”
So if you’re seeing this, I’ve just finished furiously typing in a few names and without further ado, here you go!
BLACKSHIRTS
The Blackshirt tradition began in 1964 when Bob Devaney and running backs coach Mike Corgan initially handed them out so they could more easily find the defensive players during two-platoon practices. Eventually, they were given to the starters and collected back after every practice as players had to earn them each day.
When Tom Osborne took over, they began giving them out before the opening game and the players would keep them for the season. Since that time, the process has been tinkered with, along with the number handed out, but the tradition has endured..
In keeping with that tradition, here are your 2026 Blackshirts:
(CURRENTLY BEST GUESS – NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT YET)
DEFENSIVE END – Cameron Lenhardt
DEFENSIVE TACKLE – Owen Stoudmire
DEFENSIVE TACKLE – Jashear Whittington
DEFENSIVE END – Anthony Jones Jr.
LINEBACKER – Owen Chambliss
LINEBACKER – Vincent Shavers Jr. AND/OR
LINEBACKER – Dexter Foster
NICKEL – Donovan Jones
CORNER – Andrew Marshall
SAFETY – Dwayne McDougle III AND/OR
SAFETY – Rex Guthrie
SAFETY – Jamir Conn
CORNER- Jeremiah Charles
SINGLE DIGIT JERSEYS
This tradition was started in 2023 in Matt Rhule’s first season at Nebraska. He had previously done this at Temple and Baylor. They are awarded to the ten toughest, hardest-working, and most competitive players who as voted on by their teammates. Once awarded, those players keep the numbers for their full career at Nebraska.
Since single-digit jerseys do not meet the criteria for offensive lineman numbers, they are not eligible for this honor. However, it doesn’t stop their teammates from voting for them against coach’s orders on occasion. Justin Evans set a record this season for most votes received by an offensive lineman since the tradition was established in 2023.
Six new jerseys were awarded this week.
#0 – Owen Chambliss
#1 – Nyziah Hunter
#1 – Jashear Whittington
#2 – Jacory Barney Jr.
#2 – Cam Lenhardt
#3 – Kwazi Gilmer
#4 – Janiran Bonner
#4 – Jamir Conn
#5 – Anthony Jones Jr
#6 – Roman Mangini
#7 – Andrew Marshall
#8 – Donovan Jones
#8 – Luke Lindenmeyer
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