Nebraska Future Looks Bright for Defensive Lineman Kade Pietrzak, Who Played Plenty as a True Freshman

Nebraska defensive lineman Kade Pietrzak had a quick and interesting turnaround in the summer of 2025. Pietrzak went from Big Man on Campus — literally — at Sheyenne High School in West Fargo, N.D., to battling Big Ten football players at Nebraska as a true freshman.

No redshirt season, no year to build up his already 6-foot-5, 275-pound frame. No time to gain experience observing from the sidelines. No time practicing against other backups. None of that.

Welcome to the Big Ten, son. Good luck to you.

Pietrzak impressive in his first season

Pietrzak earned the respect of teammates and coaches last season. Then-defensive coordinator John Butler said about Pietrzak: “I think he’s got great DNA when it comes to being a football player. He’s got that look in his eye.”

Pietrzak, who was the high school football player of the year in North Dakota in 2024, played an impressive 278 snaps last season.

He played in all 13 games and started at Penn State. His season included 17 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup and he accounted for a safety against Akron. He was third on the team in sacks and tackles for loss. He had two solo tackles against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Nebraska defensive lineman Kade Pietrzak pressures Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chilesat Memorial Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When you watched the Huskers’ defense it was easy to see Pietrzak in the middle of the action. He said he was somewhat surprised to see so much game action as a true freshman.

“I definitely didn’t go into it expecting it [playing in every game],” Pietrzak said at a news conference. “I knew that if I worked day in and day out, there would always be a chance to play.

“So I think just putting myself in, or trying to put myself in the best position by practicing hard every day and going in practice we go against some of the best. So it’s like a game every day in practice just we’re constantly working and constantly preparing ourselves to go out there on the field and do great things.

“So I think just playing against my guys is what helped me to get to where I was last year.”

Looking forward to 2026

Pietrzak says he benefitted from an entire offseason preparing for the 2026 season. Young football players can make huge strides from an offseason of work than going straight from prom to graduation, to head crashing in Lincoln.

“It’s helped a lot [being here last summer],” Pietrzak said. “I feel like last year just kind of going to the summer kind of thrown right into it. Going straight from just a couple months and then playing my first college game.

“So, having this whole year to get ready and progress and to really take time to learn the entire defense. It’s helped me to play faster and helped me understand what I’m doing better. I kind of played a little bit more around the field last year. Played some more interior and some outside.

“I think we’re still going to try to do that this year. Kind of throw all around, but we’re just focusing. It's new D staff, so new techniques and just we’re focusing on this year, focusing on getting better and getting ready to play these upcoming games.”

New defensive staff

Rob Aurich is the Huskers’ new defensive coordinator, brought in from San Diego State to replace Butler. He employs a 4-2-5 defensive system. Depth on defense is what the Huskers want this season. Corey Brown coaches the defensive line and Roy Manning coaches the edges, where Pietrzak likely will play the most.

Nebraska didn’t have the prototypical Husker defense fans grew up with last season — which why there is a new defensive coaching staff. Nebraska allowed 4.8 yards per carry and went 1-6 when it allowed more than 175 rushing yards in a game.

The Huskers, who allowed 33 sacks, only sacked quarterbacks 22 times in 2025. The defense was hammered in the final three games by Penn State, Iowa and Utah in finishing 7-6.

“We drill pass rush pretty much every day, whether it’s an indie [drill] against the offensive line, the offensive line, they got a lot of great guys to go against,” Pietrzak said.

“So, it’s really good to have them challenging us. We’re making them better, they’re making us better. So having that challenge between us and sharpening each other is has really been helping out.”

Pietrzak says he has enjoyed the veteran presence of new defensive lineman Anthony Jones Jr., who had previous stops at Liberty, Oregon, Indiana (before it was cool), Michigan State and UCLA.

UCLA transfer Anthony Jones has brought experience and wisdom to Nebraska's defense. | Nate Donlevy, UCLA Athletics

“It’s been great,” Pietrzak said. “I like Anthony a lot. He’s got a lot of experience. He’s played for a lot of different coaches.

“So he’s an old guy. He really knows ball. He doesn’t just know defensive end. He knows like all over around the field. He can tell you what the secondary is doing, what the interior is doing.

“He can just tell you so much. So, I think learning from him has been great and he’s been a great asset to our our room.”

Pietrzak also learned plenty of lessons last seasons. “Definitely a lot, definitely the biggest change was just how much bigger everyone is than in high school,” Pietrzak said.

“The offensive line of the Big Ten, it’s a big, run-heavy conference. So, playing against the run, it was a good challenge to work on landing my hands and just making sure I create knock back and not getting push back.

“So, I think that focusing on playing hard and playing through guys is what really so that’s something I’ve practiced in high school. So, I think I can translate that to the field at the next level.”

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