Nebraska Tight Ends Aim to Build on Lindenmeyer's Success

The Huskers' tight end room has potential, led by veteran Luke Lindenmeyer, but will need others to step up in 2026.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Nebraska's tight end group enters the 2026 season with high expectations, led by senior Luke Lindenmeyer, who is coming off a career year. The Huskers also return junior Carter Nelson and welcome in freshman Luke Sorensen, who could see playing time early. While the unit has talent, it will need to prove itself beyond Lindenmeyer to make a big impact on the offense.

Why it matters

The tight end position is crucial to Nebraska's offensive plans, and the Huskers will be relying on this group to make plays in the passing game and provide strong blocking. With Lindenmeyer as the clear leader, the development of players like Nelson and Sorensen will be key to the unit's overall success.

The details

Lindenmeyer, a walk-on who has blossomed into an All-Big Ten caliber tight end, will headline the group as a senior after a career-best 2025 season. Nelson, who saw his role diminish last year after a position switch, will look to regain his form and earn a larger workload. Freshman Luke Sorensen, a three-star recruit, could also see the field early due to his size and blocking ability. The Huskers also lost Heinrich Haarberg to the NFL draft and Mac Markway, who transitioned to edge rusher.

  • Lindenmeyer enters his senior season in 2026 after a career-best year in 2025.
  • Nelson will be a junior in 2026 looking to bounce back from a reduced role in 2025.
  • Sorensen joins the Huskers as a freshman in 2026 after being a three-star recruit.

The players

Luke Lindenmeyer

A senior tight end who has developed into one of the best in the Big Ten conference after joining Nebraska as a walk-on.

Carter Nelson

A junior tight end who saw his role diminish in 2025 after a position switch, but will look to regain his form and earn more playing time.

Luke Sorensen

A freshman tight end who was a three-star recruit, but could see the field early due to his size and blocking ability.

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What they’re saying

“After quickly becoming a veteran presence on the team, the bulked-up version of the former in-state recruit will throw his 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame at opposing defenses next fall.”

— Carter Nelson (SI.com)

“Offensively, incoming freshman showed an impressive ability to handle his own in blocking situations along the line of scrimmage, yet the Huskers are expecting him to be a pass-catching threat as well.”

— Luke Sorensen (SI.com)

What’s next

The Huskers will be looking for players like Nelson and Sorensen to step up and complement Lindenmeyer's production in 2026, as the team aims to improve its overall tight end group.

The takeaway

Nebraska's tight end room has the potential to be a strength in 2026, led by the veteran presence of Lindenmeyer, but the development of younger players like Nelson and Sorensen will be crucial to the unit's overall success and impact on the Huskers' offense.