Freshman wide receiver Jacory Barney has already made a huge splash in his freshman year and has the Pinstripe Bowl to add to the records he has piled up in his first year on campus.
Barney’s 52 catches lead the team and set a season record for receptions by a true freshman at Nebraska. He needs three catches in New York to tie JD Spielman’s mark, which Spielman set as a redshirt freshman in 2017.
On the season, Barney has 52 passes for 431 yards and rushed 10 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns, while also returning kicks and punts. Barney’s 52 receptions and 842 all-purpose yards lead the team, and while he’s been solid this season, Barney had his eye towards the future.
«It’s been a big year for me,» Barney said Friday. «I’m excited for where I’ve got. I’m most excited about where I’m gonna be next year. Taking this offseason real serious and try to elevate my game and have a big jump. I just want to get better. That’s what I want to focus on going into next season — doing even more.»
Barney will try to make that jump with a new group of coaches running Nebraska’s offense. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is now the full-time play caller, and will likely look to feature Barney more in the Husker offense. Barney had 14 catches for 123 yards over the Huskers’ last three games where Holgorsen was calling plays, and the long-time play caller has tried to simplify things for Barney by keeping him at one wide receiver spot, rather than being forced to master several.
Nebraska also hired former Kentucky wide receivers coach Dakiel Shorts Jr., to handle the wide receivers. Shorts coached former Houston wide receiver Tank Dell to All-America honors in 2021, and Dell compares favorably from a skill-set and size point of view.
Barney said that while he will benefit from Holgorsen’s scheme, it’s on him to make it happen on the field.
«He settled me into one spot,» Barney said. «The players are going to make the plays, that’s what he always tells me. I just gotta make the plays. If he calls them, I’m gonna answer. That’s all it is is him trusting him player stop make a play when he needs to.»
Barney has used the bowl practices to take a more focused approach to the coming 2025 season. Th 6-foot, 170-pound wide receiver stood up well to the pounding of a 12-game college football season, but knows he needs to add more to his game.
«I’d say, just being more serious about gaining weight,» Barney said. «As I get that, more strength will come with it — more power, move velocity. That’s one thing I’m probably going to focus on.»
Barney, along with quarterback Dylan Raiola is part of a young offensive nucleus that will benefit from Holgorsen’s tutelage in 2025.
Barney will also be asked to assume more of a leadership role with the offense. Veterans Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks won’t return and Barney will be by far the most productive returning wide receiver from this year’s team.
He said he’s eager to set the tone in 2025, starting with the bowl game against Boston College.
«I’m more of a guy who sets an example,» Barney said. «I’m going to go out there and work. They know I’m going to work every day…as long as we get that and build on that, we’re going to be unstoppable with all the talent we have. It’s going to be crazy.»