Trey Palmer is a lock to be picked in the NFL draft — but what about Garrett Nelson?

Just a lot of emotions as the former Nebraska pass rusher waits to see when — if — he gets picked in the 2023 NFL Draft. Twelve different feelings that Nelson’s not sure he can easily summarize.

“I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m hopeful,” Nelson said, rattling off more emotions. He’s ready to “establish my reputation” in the NFL the way he did at NU, where he finished with 167 tackles, 12 sacks and 26 tackles for loss.

He put his Husker career to bed months ago, comfortable with, when he looked in the mirror, what he’d done over four seasons.

“I’m ready to turn the page,” said Nelson, who will watch the draft from his Lincoln home with family, friends and a few former teammates who aren’t up for selection.

As the three-day NFL extravaganza kicks off Thursday night with a first round where no Husker has been selected since 2011, receiver Trey Palmer is the ex-Husker most likely to be drafted, but Nelson may be the most intriguing Nebraska storyline.

The Scottsbluff native played for teams that won 15 total games over four seasons. He ran, according to The Athletic, a 4.91-second 40-yard dash at the Huskers’ Pro Day. But Athletic NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler also wrote Nelson “will endear himself to NFL coaches” with his leadership skills and competitiveness. Brugler grades Nelson as a “priority free agent.” Walter Football sees Nelson as a seventh-round pick. Four other mock drafts didn’t include the 6-foot-3, 248-pounder in their listings.

Nelson said he’d love nothing more to be drafted. But he’s also seen former teammates like Jack Stoll and JoJo Domann sign free agent deals of their own choosing, landing at franchises that fit their skillsets. Stoll is the No. 2 tight end for the Eagles, while Domann scored a special teams touchdown last season for the Colts. Nelson’s open for whatever, and will likely have to earn a roster spot with special teams play.

He spent the last several months signing with an agency — Vanguard Sports — working out and making a visit to the Miami Dolphins. Teams have expressed interest, but that’s common; sometimes, a guy is picked by a team that initiated few-to-no conversations.

Scouts told him they were impressed with the athleticism he displayed at his Pro Day.

“They didn’t trust it, so I had to show them,” Nelson joked.

Palmer didn’t have to do much to cement his draft status after his 4.33-second 40 at the NFL Combine. It confirmed the blow-by-you speed Palmer flashed on touchdown catches against Oklahoma, Rutgers, Indiana and Iowa, where he capped his college career by torching the Hawkeyes’ respected secondary. Of the five mock drafts surveyed, Palmer is projected to go in the third, fourth, fifth or seventh rounds with the Baltimore Ravens a popular selecting team. His agency, Priority Sports, has set up a news conference after he’s picked this weekend.

Edge rusher Ochaun Mathis is projected by Pro Football Focus as a sixth-round pick, and Brugler has the 6-5, 246-pounder rated just ahead of Nelson. He ran a 4.74-second 40 at the Combine and has a more prototypical frame than Nelson.

Other draftable and free agent prospects include tight end Travis Vokolek — The Athletic rates him as the No. 19 prospect — H-back Chancellor Brewington, edge rusher Caleb Tannor, linebackers Chris Kolarevic and Eteva Mauga-Clements and receivers Oliver Martin and Omar Manning. The 6-2, 221-pound Brewington ran a 4.58-second 40 at his Pro Day and could find a special teams role.

Locally, TCU quarterback and Council Bluffs native Max Duggan has a strong chance of getting picked in a late round on the third day. The 2022 Heisman Trophy runner-up had a 4.52-second 40 and is getting compared to former Iowa State and current 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Bellevue West graduate Malcolm Lee (Kansas edge rusher) and Millard West grad Shae Wyatt (Tulane receiver) are also eligible for selection.

Among former Huskers, defensive tackle Jordon Riley — who played at Oregon — could be a late-round pick. Former Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez — who played a fifth season at Kansas State — is a likely free agent, as well. Martinez ran a 4.54-second 40 and has a long career of experience. He holds NU’s career total offense record.

“I would point to my ability to create and extend plays in and outside the pocket,” Martinez told the Wichita Eagle about the strength of his game. “That’s what I think being a dual-threat means, being able to get the ball in the hands of playmakers and if nothing is there being able to run and do something with it and get yards.”