Freshman in Focus: Which Husker Can Flash Against Akron?

Fall camp in Lincoln has a way of revealing who's ready to rise—and true freshman Kade Pietrzak is surging. With fellow rookies sidelined, Pietrzak is soaking up reps and showing off a brute-force style that’s hard to ignore. Against Akron, he’ll have a chance to turn preseason buzz into game-day impact. Can Nebraska’s youngest defensive lineman make his mark when the lights come on?

Defensive lineman Kade Pietrzak has a chance to make an impact Saturday against Akron. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Fall camp is often a proving ground for veterans, but every so often, a freshman crashes the party.

Enter Kade Pietrzak, Nebraska’s four-star defensive lineman from North Dakota, who’s demanding attention. With fellow rookies sidelined and the Huskers still shaping their defensive front, Pietrzak’s brute-force style and relentless motor have carved out a rare opportunity. As Akron looms, the question isn’t whether he’ll play, it’s whether he’ll shine under the bright lights.

The West Fargo native appeared in 11 defensive snaps during Nebraska's 20-17 victory over Cincinnati in the season opener. While his stat line didn't pop, he showed solid pad level and gap integrity in limited reps, especially in second-half run fits.

Pietrzak’s relentless motor has already earned him praise from coaches and teammates, with defensive lineman Riley Van Poppel summing it up bluntly: “He’s not scared. He’s going to try to go out there and run you over.” That kind of aggressive edge is the exact trait that can translate into early impact against a MAC opponent like Akron.

Kade Pietrzak during a recruiting visit to Lincoln. | @KadePietrzak on X

In matchups where physicality often dictates control at the line of scrimmage, Pietrzak’s brute-force style and fearless approach could tilt the trenches in Nebraska’s favor and give the freshman a chance to flash in his debut.

Nebraska’s defensive front remains a work in progress heading into Week 2, and that uncertainty opens the door for fresh faces to earn real snaps. With the Huskers expected to rotate heavily against Akron, Pietrzak’s skill set fits the moment. His ability to plug gaps and collapse pockets makes him a natural candidate for early-down or short-yardage packages. Even if his role is situational, Pietrzak’s physicality and scheme fit could translate into meaningful impact right out of the gate.

As a senior at Sheyenne High, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive tackle racked up 58 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and five sacks, numbers that reflect a disruptive presence built on brute strength and technical leverage. His ability to shed blocks and penetrate gaps was a hallmark of his high school tape, and that physical style could translate well against Akron’s interior line.

What Nebraska coaches saw in his high tape remains true a year later in training camp: True freshman Kade Pietrzak will "factor" into NU's defensive line rotation. https://t.co/qxSPZAlSqJ

— Star-Herald Sports (@SHSportsNE) August 18, 2025

If Nebraska deploys him in early-down or short-yardage situations, Pietrzak’s raw power and gap integrity might be exactly what’s needed to collapse the pocket and stall drives before they start. If he flashes early, it won’t just be a feel-good freshman moment; it could signal that Nebraska’s defensive line depth is deeper than expected.

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