Nebraska’s 12-week countdown to Cincinnati begins with Riley Van Poppel as the program’s 2nd-most indispensable piece. The list shines a light on players who must elevate their games for the Huskers to take a meaningful step forward in 2025, even if none of them become the season’s best. Two weeks out from Arrowhead, the focus is squarely on the front seven and the run game, where Van Poppel is expected to anchor the defense and occasionally pressure the quarterback.

Last year’s attention on stopping the run—exemplified by Nebraska clamping Ohio State’s ground game—leaves a vacuum after Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher left for the NFL. Van Poppel, a Texas native at 6’5” and 295 pounds, could seize that vacancy early, wearing a single-digit jersey chosen by teammates as a symbol of grit and work ethic. If he reaches a high run-stopping ceiling and can disrupt plays in the backfield, the door to a potential playoff conversation won’t be firmly closed.

Beyond Van Poppel, the countdown underscores the importance of a disciplined, physical run defense and timely quarterback pressure as Nebraska eyes meaningful improvement in 2025. It’s a brand-new chapter, but the stakes remain high: the opportunity to reshape the ceiling for this program starts with a handful of players ready to answer the bell in training camp and early-season action.