Big Ten Lineup Look: Nebraska Making Major Moves

This year the Nebraska lineup is undergoing some shifts. Four of their returning starters, including an All-American, will be dropping down into a new weight class for the #3 pre-season ranked Huskers. 

Potential Lineup
125: Caleb Smith
133: Jacob Van Dee
141: Brock Hardy
149: Ridge Lovett
157: Antrell Taylor 
165: Bubba Wilson
174: Lenny Pinto
184: Silas Allred
197: Camden McDanel
285: Harley Andrews

Listen to Nebraska Head Coach Mark Manning discuss this year’s team and season: 

Biggest Duals
1/5/25 – at #10 UNI
1/11/25 – vs #9 Minnesota
1/17/25 – vs #1 Penn State
1/24/25 – at #14 Michigan
2/7/25 – at #2 Iowa

Here is a look at the key losses, returners and newcomers we will see in the Huskers’ lineup this season.

Key Losses
157: Peyton Robb – 3x NCAA All-American
285: Nash Hutmacher – NCAA qualifier

Summary: Peyton Robb was a staple of consistency for Nebraska during the years he manned the spot at 157, with his final season being probably the most challenging. But after rebounding from an illness that had him hospitalized in the off-season, he returned to the lineup to claim his third straight All-American finish. Nash Hutmacher is back on his NFL journey this year, sacking quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders on the way. But last year he spent the winter in the wrestling room where he bolstered the Huskers’ lineup at 285 where he finished as a national qualifier. 

New Lineup Additions
174: Christopher Minto
197: Camden McDanel
285: Harley Andrews

Summary: Harley Andrews split time with Hutmacher last season but will be in the lineup more consistently this year at 285. After a season where he competed exclusively in open tournaments during a gray shirt year, McDanel will fill the open spot at 197 this year. He went 8-1 in those tournaments. Christopher Minto finished his redshirt year with an 19-5 record, wrestling only in open tournaments, and could see some time at 174.

Key Returners 
125: Caleb Smith - Returning All-American (6th)
133: Jacob Van Dee - Returning NCAA qualifier
141: Brock Hardy - Returning All-American (3rd)
149: Ridge Lovett - Returning All-American (6th)
157: Antrell Taylor - Returning All-American (8th)
165: Bubba Wilson - NCAA Qualifier (2022, 2023)
174: Lenny Pinto - Returning NCAA qualifier
184: Silas Allred - Returning NCAA qualifier

Summary: Four All-Americans return to the Nebraska lineup this year along with NCAA qualifiers Jacob Van Dee, Bubba Wilson, Lenny Pinto and Silas Allred. Most notably, All-American Antrell Taylor, who finished 8th last season, will be dropping to 157 this year and NCAA qualifiers Lenny Pinto and Silas Allred, the 2023 Big Ten Champion at 197, will be moving down as well. They’ll wrestle 174 and 184, respectively. Taylor’s move to 157 means Wilson will also be dropping down to fill the spot at 165. The three other AAs – Caleb Smith (125), Brock Hardy (141) and Ridge Lovett (149) – return to their same weight classes this season.