LINCOLN — Nash Hutmacher was still on campus in July, the former Nebraska defensive tackle counting the days until he reported to NFL training camp.
During those waning moments, Hutmacher spoke to the Husker hoping to replace his snaps and production on the interior of the line.
Riley Van Poppel learned then — he has to have fun to reach his full potential this season.
When NU’s defensive line was at its best in 2024, Hutmacher told Van Poppel, havoc in opposing backfields was highlighted by smiles, laughter and high fives between snaps. Hutmacher and Ty Robinson stayed loose as they formed a wall at the line of scrimmage and swallowed up opposing running backs.
Van Poppel watched from the shadows, appearing in four regular-season games and taking a redshirt.
Now he wants to replicate his former teammates’ attitude as his time to shine approaches. The lessons of last season serve as a guide. Even the ones that go against his natural inclinations.
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“I just kinda want to shock the world with our D-line unit and with our defense as a whole,” Van Poppel said.
The in-season decision for Van Poppel to redshirt bumped his college career off the trajectory he envisioned.
He appeared in 11 games as a freshman in 2023, then played the Huskers’ first two games of his sophomore year. In September, NU coach Matt Rhule gave him an option.
“You can play eight-10 plays a game this year, or you can be Ty Robinson or one of those guys when they leave this year,” Rhule said in September 2024. “So, that’s a decision they make. It’s a credit to Riley. It’s a credit to his family.”
Van Poppel had hoped 2024 would be his breakout year but agreed to maintain his eligibility. He appeared in three more games, including the regular season finale at Iowa and the Pinstripe Bowl, but his season played out mostly on practice fields across the parking lot from Memorial Stadium.
It was freeing. There was nothing he could do but accept his situation and make the best of it. He got three days of football every week on the scout team and was determined to make them count, going up against veteran offensive linemen Ben Scott and Bryce Benhart on a regular basis.
Knowing he could only play sparingly meant he didn’t worry about playing time or whether he was doing enough to see the field that Saturday.
All that mattered was what was in front of him.
“The biggest thing from redshirting is I’d say to ease my mental battle,” Van Poppel said. “The biggest thing for me in football has been the mental aspect of it, whether it’s confidence, trusting yourself, overthinking on the field, this, that and the third.”
Van Poppel says he’s running faster and lifting more weight than before. He’s maintained his weight through the first week and a half of training camp for the first time in his career, a credit to better hydration and meals at Culver’s that compound what he eats at the practice facility.
His confidence still comes and goes, but new defensive line coach Terry Bradden’s belief helps him believe in himself. Bradden joined the staff after a stint as the Kansas City Chiefs’ assistant defensive line coach. Van Poppel considered himself a run stopper when he got to college. Bradden has instilled the belief he can be more.
“I’ve gotten to sit in his office for two hours before and just talked to him, and he shows that I can be an all-around guy,” Van Poppel said. “I can go to the NFL. And he truly has that belief in me, so it’s like on those days when I wake up and I’m like, ‘Can I do this? I didn’t have a great day yesterday. Can I do this?’ He doesn’t care.
“He’s like, ‘I’ve seen it in you. I know you have it. Now I’m gonna go get it out of you.’”
With the mainstays of the line gone, a new generation will have to set the tone up front for Nebraska. Van Poppel, Cameron Lenhardt, and Missouri transfer Williams Nwaneri are all candidates to contribute with at least two years of eligibility remaining.
For Van Poppel, it’s a chance to apply what he learned while redshirting. He’ll try to clear his mind. He’ll try to relax. The ceiling of Nebraska’s defense depends on it.
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