For the first time under Coach Matt Rhule, the Nebraska football team has elected permanent captains for the upcoming season. The group of six players—chosen by a team-wide vote—includes three from the offense and three from the defense, all of whom are key contributors and leaders.
A social media post on Saturday showed Rhule informing the team of the results. Rhule, who previously selected game captains on a weekly basis, emphasized that he took this process «very seriously.»
«It was very clear the guys you voted,» he said in the video, adding, «What’s important is these are the guys you have chosen to lead this team.» All six captains had to sign a proclamation to formalize their new roles.
On the offensive side of the ball, the captains are quarterback Dylan Raiola, offensive lineman Henry Lutovsky, and transfer wide receiver Dane Key. Raiola set freshman records in 2024 and is on the Maxwell Award watch list for his sophomore season. Lutovsky brings 38 games of experience and is slated to start at left guard. Key, who transferred from Kentucky, posted impressive career numbers with 126 catches for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The defensive captains are all members of the defensive backfield. Marques Buford played a full, healthy season in 2024, recording 35 tackles and one interception while starting at both corner and safety. DeShon Singleton also bounced back from rehab to start all 13 games, finishing second on the team with 71 tackles. Ceyair Wright, a transfer from USC, set career highs with 39 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack last fall.
The chosen captains—all of whom are either single-digit players or represented the team at Big Ten Media Days—reflect the clear leaders that the team has chosen to guide them into the new season.
Nebraska Football 2025 Schedule
- Aug. 28 (Thursday) vs. Cincinnati (Kansas City) 8 p.m. ESPN
- Sep. 6 vs. Akron 6:30 p.m. CDT BTN
- Sep. 13 vs. Houston Christian 11 a.m. FS1
- Sep. 20 vs. Michigan 2:30 p.m. CBS
- Oct. 4 vs. Michigan State 11/2:30/3
- Oct. 11 at Maryland TBA
- Oct. 17 (Friday) at Minnesota 7 p.m. FOX
- Oct. 25 vs. Northwestern TBA
- Nov. 1 vs. USC TBA
- Nov. 8 at UCLA TBA
- Nov. 22 at Penn State TBA
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS