Nebraska Football: With two Huskers named All-Americans as freshmen, the future is bright.

Due to their performances in the 2023 season, two defensive standouts from Nebraska were named to the freshman All-America team.

It’s a good reminder that there are many current Nebraska football players that provide fans with cause for optimism at a time when they’re scanning the transfer portal for any signals of promise for the program’s future.

Princewill Umanmielen and Cameron Lenhardt, two of them who were true freshmen, played a great deal of defensive line snaps.

The Athletic selected Umanmielen a second team freshman All-American, while the College Football Network named Cameron Lenhardt an honorable-mention freshman All-American.

I recall moments when Nebraska was starting three true freshmen on the defensive line against Michigan, the team that is currently ranked #1 in the nation. At the time, this seemed absurd. Riley Van Poppel was the third freshmen.

Thus, it seems that position has a bright future.

You can now raise your head from your computer or phone and look back at the transfer portal’s dazzling light.

The entire statement from the athletic department is as follows:

Due to their performances in the 2023 season, two defensive standouts from Nebraska were named to the freshman All-America team.

The Athletic named linebacker Princewill Umanmielen to their second-team freshman All-American roster. Furthermore, the College Football Network selected defensive end Cameron Lenhardt as an honorable-mention freshman All-American.

Three Big Ten players, including Umanmielen, were selected for The Athletic’s freshman All-American team. The product of Austin, Texas, totaled 22 tackles in his final season at Nebraska, including four quarterback hurries and 4.5 tackles for loss. With five tackles, including a tackle for loss versus Iowa, he concluded his 2023 campaign.

Lenhardt was a formidable force up front for a Husker defense that was among the best in the country at stopping runs. In his 16 tackles, Lenhardt rookie campaign, including five tackles for loss and three sacks. Lenhardt was one of five Big Ten freshmen to earn recognition from the College Football Network.