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Leading up to Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago, Huskers Illustrated is examining each position group for Nebraska. Position groups: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebacker, Defensive Back, Specialist.

Today: Offensive Line

• Coaches: Geep Wade & Lonnie Teasley
• Impact Additions: Brendan Black, Tree Babalade, Paul Mubenga, Claude Mpouma
• Key Returners: Justin Evans, Elijah Pritchett, Tyler Knaak, Gunnar Gottula
• Returning Snap Percentage: 47%

Outlook

Despite the sacks, Nebraska’s offensive line was better in 2025 than in 2024.

Still, new coaches for the position and the expectation of three transfers coming in as starters means chemistry will be the biggest key to success up front. Brendan Black, Tree Babalade, Paul Mubenga, Justin Evans, and Elijah Pritchett possess the skill sets and IQ to be a great offensive line. Where do freshman Claude Mpouma or returners Gunnar Gottula, Grant Brix, Tyler Knaak, and others slide in?

As always, Nebraska has the skill positions ready to go, but it will come down to the offensive line to set the tone for success.

The sacks didn’t help the perspective of the unit. Only 19 FBS programs in the nation allowed more than 33 sacks in 2025. That was more than the 28 allowed in 2024 and the 30 in 2023.

But on a closer inspection, a number of those were on the quarterback. Dylan Raiola had the green light to change the calls and blocking assignments at the line. He was also a statue at times, electing to take a sack over escaping and throwing the ball away.

In the run game, the 2025 unit powered Emmett Johnson to a career season. The offense averaged 145.9 yards per game on the ground. That was up from 130.6 yards in 2024.

The Husker offensive line is also now under new leadership.

Geep Wade comes to Lincoln by way of Georgia Tech. In his three seasons, the Yellow Jacket offensive line was among the nation’s best run-blocking and pass-blocking units. During that time, Georgia Tech allowed just 1.0 sack per game and ran for 196.1 yards a contest.

Lonnie Teasley is assistant Wade, while serving as the run game coordinator. He spent the last five seasons at South Carolina, which included the 2024 team averaging more than 400 yards of offense per game.

Who’s Back

Tackle Elijah Pritchett and center Jusin Evans are the only returning starters expected to hold their roles to open the 2026 campaign.

Evans was a massive retention piece. He has played in 38 games for the Huskers already, including starting the last 26 games on the interior of the line. He started every game at center in 2025.

Pritchett began his inaugural season with the Big Red with plenty of potential but also too many mistakes to be counted on. However, as the season continued, so did his ability to stay on the field and limit mistakes. His potential is still sky-high, and he may end up being the most important piece of the line in 2026.

Nyziah Hunter takes the screen 64 yards for a TD, and OC Dana Holgorsen puts the 6-6, 325-pound Elijah Pritchett on the move to help bust it. pic.twitter.com/KKkK6UbHeJ

— Steve Marik (@Steve_Marik) October 11, 2025

Plenty of snaps are also back with the likes of Gunnar Gottula, Grant Brix, Jake Peters, Sam Sledge, and Tyler Knaak. Those five look to be the second line for now, behind returners Pritchett and Evans and transfers Paul Mubenga, Brendan Black, and Tree Babalade.

Key Battle

Preston Taumua vs. Claude Mpouma

Which dynamite underclassman will find his way to the two-deep first?

Taumua saw the field twice last year. His physical traits of size and mobility are tough to replicate.

Mpouma arrives in Lincoln as one of the most promising offensive linemen in the country. The four-star recruit arrived in America as a teenager and has played just two seasons of football, but at 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, he could be the next great Husker lineman. And with five-for-five here, he may get more reps and see the field earlier than if the coaching staff wanted to keep him back and redshirt.

In the Pipeline

Five linemen have committed to Nebraska’s 2027 class.

Legacy Matt Erickson made his commitment back in September of 2025, making him one of the first additions in the class. Fellow in-state lineman Barrett Kitrell made his commitment earlier this summer.

One of Grayson High School’s commitments comes from KD Jones. That continues the success for this coaching staff in recruiting Georgia.

The top two guys in this group are four-stars: Timi Aliu and Jordan Agbanoma. Both are also Georgia recruits, with Agbanoma being another Grayson product.

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