Justin Evans is helping lead the Nebraska football team into the 2026 season, and his Husker teammates have noticed.
Coach Matt Rhule is giving out his leadership single digit jerseys once again, and although offensive linemen aren’t eligible to wear them on game days, teammates still voted for the senior center. Rhule said Evans received the most votes he’s ever seen for an offensive lineman.
“I have so much respect for my teammates,” Evans said. “For them to even know that I can’t wear a single digit and for them to vote for me just means everything to me. I’ll do anything for this team.”
Evans has done just that. He’s spent his entire career at Nebraska, growing each season. Rhule said Evans’ leadership skills have grown a lot since the coach arrived in 2023.
“He’s an alpha that cares about everybody,” Rhule said. “On a lot of teams, you have alphas that walk around and think that they’re better than everybody else, and he’s been through it.”
Since 2023, Evans has gained a lot of weight and transitioned positions. In 2024, he played at left guard, before starting all 13 games at center last year. The East Orange, N.J., native said he’s grown in multiple areas as a leader.
“Understanding my team and who I’m playing with and getting to know them on another level is the first important step of leadership,” Evans said. “Just knowing who you’re playing for, and who they are playing for that brings us together as a team.”
He credits offensive line coach Geep Wade for helping him grow this offseason but feels there’s more work to be done.
“He’s still pushing me to be a vocal guy on the team and encouraging guys on and off the field,” Evans said. “More so on the field, just keeping guys going when we may get into those lulls in the game, and just keeping a positive voice for the guys in the room.”
Evans will look to anchor an offensive line that includes two transfers projected to start in senior right guard Brendan Black and senior left guard Paul Mubenga joining fifth-year left tackle Elijah Pritchett and senior right tackle Gunnar Gottula, all playing for Wade in his first season at Nebraska. Senior tackle Tree Babalade is another tackle projected to add depth after dealing with a preseason injury.
“We’ve built a pretty cohesive unit, playing as one with guys coming in from different conferences and playing for different coaches,” Evans said. “They’ve came in and embraced the process with us. It’s been a great couple of months getting to know those guys and just helping them understand the process of how we do things here at Nebraska.”
That includes holding themselves to a high standard, according to Evans. This year’s team has a lot of experience and returning production, setting the Huskers up to build off their 2025 bowl game appearance.
As they put the finishing touches on preparation for Ohio, Evans will continue to lead the team with his knowledge and experience while also learning from others.
“You have guys who played in the Big 12 or the ACC and the SEC,” Evans said. “Just learning from them how I can take my game to the next level, just based on places they have been, and them also learning what the Big Ten is like and me teaching them. It’s just a big family in the o-line room.”
The Huskers welcome Ohio into Memorial stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on FS1 and the Huskers Radio Network.
