Cameron Lenhardt: Nebraska's Under-the-Radar Pass Rusher Primed for a Breakout in 2025

He is flying below the national radar, but not for long. His explosiveness, technical growth and emerging leadership have him positioned for a breakout 2025 season in Lincoln.

Nebraska defensive linemen Cameron Lenhardt and Elijah Jeudy go through a drill during the first day of fall practice. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska’s defensive front has no shortage of rising talent, but few are better positioned for a breakout than Cameron Lenhardt.

Overshadowed by flashier names in the Big Ten Conference, Lenhardt has quietly sharpened his toolkit, adding refined hand usage, improved bend, and a relentless motor that pops on film. After flashes of disruption in 2024, the stage is set for Lenhardt to emerge as a cornerstone of Nebraska’s pass rush in 2025, transforming potential into production on a unit desperate for game-changing pressure.

Lenhardt isn’t just another name on Nebraska’s defensive depth chart; he’s a rising force ready to flip the script in 2025. Emerging from a quietly impactful sophomore campaign, Lenhardt steps into his junior season with polished mechanics, a signature pass-rush weapon, and a vocal presence that’s beginning to inspire Nebraska’s youthful defensive line. With NFL-caliber coaching from Terry Bradden and a scheme tailored to his strengths under new DC John Butler, Lenhardt is poised to become the kind of edge presence Nebraska hasn’t had since Randy Gregory.

Cameron Lenhardt’s 2025 Outlook: Technique, Leadership, and Disruption

● DE Spotlight ●

Cameron Lenhardt - Nebraska

• Lenhardt is a player I'd like to see take another step in his development in 2025. In his career he has 32 Tackles, 8 Tackles for Loss and 3.5 Sacks but I'd like to see him get over 6+ sacks this fall. pic.twitter.com/oXuZFP01ya

— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) July 30, 2025

Expectations for Lenhardt in 2025 are surging, and not just inside the Nebraska locker room. The Staten Island, New York, native is stepping into a veteran presence on a young defensive line. He is embracing a leadership role, lending his voice and experience to accelerate the development of rising prospects like Keona Davis (sophomore) and Riley Van Poppel
(sophomore).

Lenhardt saw action in all 13 games during the 2024 season, earning two starts and finishing with 16 total tackles, including 3.0 for loss and a half sack. Taking notes from new defensive line coach Terry Bradden, whose NFL pedigree stems from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Lenhardt has sharpened a signature pass-rush move heading into the 2025 season.

With a modest 2024 stat line, Lenhardt now faces heightened expectations to transform his refined technique and expanded role into meaningful production. With veterans Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher no longer anchoring the front, the opportunity is ripe for Lenhardt to emerge as a consistent disruptive force.

Nebraska defenders John Bullock and Cameron Lenhardt combine to bring down Northern Iowa running back Amauri Pesek-Hickson. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Along with Bradden, head coach Matt Rhule has high expectations for Nebraska's defensive front. Rhule continues to stress the impact of sacks as momentum-shifting plays in Big Ten battles, and Lenhardt is central to delivering that pressure.

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound edge rusher isn't just expected to contribute, he's expected to anchor the defensive front. If Lenhardt delivers on his refined technique and leadership promise, he could be Nebraska’s breakout defensive star and a legitimate All-Big Ten candidate by season’s end.

---

---

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.