photo and story by Patrick Runge

Nebraska football fans have already started to dive into the roster, trying to imagine what next year’s starting lineup will look like. The players who redshirted last year (31 in total) will get their first chance to see the field this fall. Of course, between talent and position depth, some will have a better chance than others to work their way up the depth chart.

Here are three of the most likely redshirt freshmen to win a starting spot next season.

Tanner Farmer

The line is one of the most difficult places for younger players to break in, simply because of the physical demands of the position. At least a year of college-level weight training is usually required before linemen on both sides of the ball can usually be ready to stand up to the demands of the position.

Farmer is one of three redshirts (along with D.J. Foster and Nick Gates) who will be in the mix this year for playing time at offensive line. There are currently six senior offensive linemen, with two of those (Matt Finnin and Chongo Kondolo) limited to reserve roles. Of the five players who are sophomores and juniors on the offensive line, only one (Paul Thurston) has really claimed any significant playing time.

That means the door should be open for the incoming redshirt freshman to fight for and win a starting spot on the line. As the highest-rated recruit (according to 247 Sports), Farmer gets the slight nod over the other two, but all three redshirt freshmen offensive linemen should see a terrific opportunity for themselves in 2015.

Mick Stoltenberg

Other than linebacker, defensive end might be the thinnest position on Nebraska’s roster coming in to 2015. The early departure of Randy Gregory, combined with Avery Moss being denied re-entry to the school, leaves Nebraska with only four defensive ends outside of the redshirt freshmen. Two of those four, Joe Keels and A.J. Natter, have struggled to make any impact since arriving in Lincoln.

The depth is such a concern that (according to Corn Nation) Freedom Akinmoladun is being considered for a move from tight end to defensive end. While Akinmoladun is an impressive athlete, learning a new position is a challenge, meaning that Stoltenberg (who was a higher-ranked recruit, according to 247 Sports, than Sedrick King, the other redshirt freshman defensive end) should be considered to have a better chance at winning a starting role.

Mikale Wilbon

Nebraska will have a huge, Ameer Abdullah-shaped hole in its offense for 2015. And there is no clear-cut candidate to step in and fill the role. Senior Imani Cross has the most experience, but also lacks the speed to be an explosive threat. Junior Terrell Newby has the speed, but has failed to grasp the opportunities he’s been given to earn more playing time to date. Sophomore Adam Taylor has been hampered by injuries, so we really haven’t had a chance to see what he can do at the collegiate level.

Which leaves the door wide open for Wilbon, who has been put “into the same sentence as Ameer Abdullah,” according to Big Red Report’s Josh Harvey. With a new coaching staff and the departure of one of the best I-backs to play in Lincoln, competition for the starting job should be wide open—leaving Wilbon a clear opportunity to win it in 2015.