Nebraska baseball’s Dylan Carey has a lot that he wants to accomplish in 2026 after going undrafted in the 2025 Major League baseball draft.
The senior shortstop is returning for one final season with the Huskers looking to make his mark in 2026.
“I want to prove everyone wrong,” Carey told Hail Varsity. “With the draft not happening, I want to show that I do have the abilities to play at the next level, and to help lead this team, because I have not done that in years past. I need to be better at that, so I’m just excited for another opportunity to do that, and I will do that.”
In his junior season with the Huskers, the Castle Rock, Colo., native started every game, batting .288 at the plate while leading the team in doubles with 20 and adding eight home runs. He finished second in RBIs with 41, scoring 49 runs total with a .377 on base percentage and a .486 slugging percentage.
Though he didn’t get drafted this year, playing professionally is still Carey’s dream, and he’s using this set-back to drive him forward.
“To play professional baseball’s been a dream of mine for a long time,” Carey said. “So, getting drafted would be another step into doing that, and not having that happen was extremely frustrating, but just trusting the Lord and the process he has for me and his plan was something I had to take a step back on and understand, because that was my dream. It’s been such a blessing coming back; I’ve referred to it as a win-win. I get to go play minor league baseball, or I get to go back to Nebraska; it’s a win-win. Nebraska is definitely a special place in my heart and will forever be special in my heart.”
Coming off of back-to-back Big Ten titles, the Huskers are looking to build off of that in 2026 with a fast start to the season. They’ve been hard at work in practice for the past couple weeks to make that happen.
“Last season, we started clicking at the very end, so just kind of starting that way this year, I think the camaraderie with this team has been 10 times better than it was last year,” Carey said. “So with that being said, I think this team has a better opportunity, a better chance at setting ourselves up for success, just because of the way we interact in practice and the way we go about our business. So, I believe this team will get off to a better start and continue that start throughout the season.”
Dylan Carey celebrates his double in the second inning against the UCLA Bruins during the Big Ten Baseball Tournament Championship Game on Sunday, May 25, 2025 in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by John S. Peterson.
With it being Carey’s final season as a Husker, he’s taking on more of a leadership role in 2026. The shortstop said he’s hoping to use his knowledge and voice to help the younger players and transfers succeed.
“We have 26 new guys, whether they’re freshmen or transfers, so just being able to talk to them about how our coaching staff goes about their business, how we go about our business, what’s the standard here, what are we expecting when it comes to the season, how do we go about preparing, how do we go about handling failures, how do we go about handling success,” Carey said. “All of this, just college baseball I’ve had under my belt, I’ve just been able to share to these guys and ultimately share with teammates that have been a part of this for a long time.”
Nebraska baseball runs in Carey’s family with him having ties to the program through his cousin, left-handed pitcher Scott Fries, who played for the Huskers from in 1999 and 2000. Carey said he grew up watching the team before going to a camp in 2020, ultimately committing to head coach Will Bolt’s team in 2021.
“We’ve been working to get back to Omaha and be there, so just to be a part of that whole thing and help grow this program and leave it better than I found it has just meant the world to me,” Carey said. “I know a lot of my other cousins have had conversations with me about playing at Nebraska. We’ve all grown up that way, just being huge Husker fans, so being able to talk to them about what goes on at campus with sports and just being a part of the Nebraska family has been more than a blessing, and something that I’ll never take for granted. So, to where the N, it means everything to me.”
Going into his final season with the Huskers, Carey said he’s hoping to “hit a lot of home runs.” and soak up every moment while having high expectations for the team.
“Ultimately our goals this season are to win as many games as possible, sweep as many series as possible, and set ourselves up in the best possible position to be a regional host, go to Omaha, and win in Omaha,” Carey said. “At the end of the day, that’s the only goal for a team like us. Coming up short, or going to the Big Ten tournament, losing and not making a regional or anything like that is just something that is a letdown, and we’re not willing to do that.”
As for what Carey’s looking forward to the most this season, the chance to spend another year with his friends is something that he said he’ll be taking in all year.
“The memories that are built in the locker room, on the field, on the road, and living with teammates is just truly something I’ll never forget,” Carey said. “So being able to just live that out for another year and not take that for granted is probably the biggest thing I’ll never forget about being a Husker, and being a part of this family. It’s just those memories and the relationships I’ve built here.”
For now, Carey will continue to prepare for one final ride with the Big Red, while making every minute count.
“This place is home; I’ve been here for three years at this point,” Carey said. “I might as well finish my fourth year here, be a part of the family. The story wouldn’t be great if I left and went somewhere else. The story would be complete if I stay here for all four years, and honestly, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. There’s no place like Nebraska, and that’s really true. There was no thought in my mind about ever really leaving Nebraska. It’s been a dream come true for me to be here, and to be here for four years is truly a blessing.”
Nebraska opens its season against UConn on Feb 13.
