Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule made the tough decision to redshirt Kai Wallin last season, and he’s sure glad he did.
Wallin has been a key part of Nebraska’s defensive line rotation this season, with the level of play he and Cameron Lenhardt offered on Saturday being enough to keep starter Jimari Butler off the field as he dealt with a minor injury.
Wallin started a fast a year ago, too, appearing in Nebraska’s first four games. The Huskers coaches then shut down his season, a decision Rhule said was because they are seeking to “build a championship-caliber roster.”
“Sometimes we do things that are difficult to do in the moment but pay off in the long run, and Kai and James (Williams) were two of those decisions that we redshirted last year,” Rhule said. “I appreciate the confidence that Kai and his family had in us to do that because he was playing pretty well when we sat him.”
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Wallin has played 10 or more snaps in each of Nebraska’s first three games this season, recording two tackles while generating pass rush. With the sophomore now up 10 pounds to a playing weight of 260 pounds this season, Rhule has seen the benefits of a redshirt campaign pay off.
“He’s playing better than he would have played if he played last year,” Rhule said of Wallin. “He’s rugged, he’s physical, he can go inside and play the three-technique, he can play outside as a five and he’s getting good pass rush so he’s a guy you can put in there and mix in with the ones and know that your level of play’s not going to drop off.”
Photos: Nebraska football back under the lights vs. Northern Iowa — Sept. 14
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola signals during the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule reacts after losing a challenge against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule argues an interception call with game officials in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (2) tackles Northern Iowa’s Desmond Hutson (18) in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) holds the ball as kicker Tristan Alvano (30) scores a field goal in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs off the field in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Northern Iowa’s Tye Edwards (2) gains a few yards by spinning past Nebraska defenders in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Jake Nelson, father of Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (29) talks with his son after the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (7) celebrates with teammate Tommi Hill (6) after making a stop against Northern Iowa in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen (left) and Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule walk off the field together after the win over Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Northern Iowa’s Amauri Pesek-Hickson (5) is brought down by Nebraska’s Tommi Hill (6) and DeShon Singleton (8) in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) celebrates after blocking a pass in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) and Dylan Raiola (15) stand together on the sideline on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (2) tackles Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne (10) as he tries to run the ball on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (29) runs the ball while pressured by Northern Iowa’s JJ Dervil (3) in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Jacory Barney (17) battles through a tackle attempt by Northern Iowa’s JJ Dervil (3) to score a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
After being tripped up by Northern Iowa’s JJ Dervil (3), Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) dives forward for a touchdown in the first quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Tony White walks the field during warm-ups on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska players exit out of the tunnel walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15), Bryce Benhart (54), and Mikai Gbayor (42), lead the Huskers in the tunnel walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (right) is embraced by former classmates Jackson Knust (left) and Trey Smith after the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Jaylen Lloyd (19) runs with the ball as Northern Iowa’s Bradley Vislisel (90) chases on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson carries the ball against Northern Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola runs with the ball against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Brian Buschini kicks the ball against Northern Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Carter Nelson scores a touchdown against Northern Iowa’s Jonathan Cabral-Martin in the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Northern Iowa’s quarterback Aidan Dunne (10) is helped off the field after an injury in the second half, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Princewill Umanmielen (left) pressures Northern Iowa’s Aidan Dunne, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola (right) hands the ball to Heinrich Haarberg in the third quarter against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg carries the ball in the third quarter against Northern Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule shakes hands with Northern Iowa’s Mark Farley, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson scores against Northern Iowa in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (right) celebrates his touchdown against Northern Iowa with teammate Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (right) is embraced by former classmates Jackson Knust (left) and Trey Smith after the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (7) and Keona Davis (97) bring down Northern Iowa’s Tye Edwards (2) on a run in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Marques Buford (3) pumps up the crowd in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (7), Mikai Gbayor (42), and Vincent Shavers (10) tackle Northern Iowa’s Amauri Pesek-Hickson (5) in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northern Iowa’s Keith Moko (20) breaks up a pass intended for Nebraska’s Jahmal Banks (4) in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone (24) dives toward the end zone after being hit by Northern Iowa’s Ben Belken (33) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Stefon Thompson (56) and Isaac Gifford (2) tackle Northern Iowa’s Tye Edwards in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) sheds a tackle by Northern Iowa’s Fletcher Marshall (6) in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northern Iowa’s Aidan Dunne reacts after recovering a fumble in the second quarter during the Nebraska game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Ty Robinson celebrates a defensive play against Northern Iowa in the second quarter, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor dances after scoring against Northern Iowa in the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor scores against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola takes a snap against Northern Iowa in the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans cheer as the Nebraska football team takes the field before the Northern Iowa game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
The moon rises behind the North stadium on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (right) blocks a pass by Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne (10) in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Kai Wallin (93) celebrates stopping Northern Iowa from gaining any yards in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule smiles after a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule smiles while walking the sideline with quarterback Dylan Raiola during the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A pass intended for Northern Iowa’s Sergio Morancy (21) is broken up by Nebraska’s Marques Buford (3) in the first quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Jacory Barney (17) dances in the endzone as he celebrates scoring a second quarter touchdown against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (29) hits Northern Northern Iowa’s Caleb Frazer (17) as he runs into the end zone for a first quarter touchdown on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Janiran Bonner (16) celebrates with teammate Isaiah Neyor (18) as Neyor runs in a touchdown in the first half on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen is seen on the sideline before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen speaks with Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Ben Scott (66) warms-up with his teammates before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Fans arrive outside Memorial Stadium ahead of the Northern Iowa game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Young Husker fans line up for players to high-five them during the Legacy Walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fan Truman Stubbendieck, 12, of Omaha, relaxes ahead of the Legacy Walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Hudson Hill, 5, of Omaha, and Grayson Will, 7, of Lincoln play on The Husker Legacy Statue before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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