Year two is often when everything can start to click.For Nebraska, which signed 20 players in the 2025 recruiting class, several second-year players are expected to take on the biggest roles of their careers to date. However, there will be plenty of competition for those underclassmen before they can see the field.Even so, I've identified three returning players who I believe are set to contribute significantly this fall. Here's who they are and what their impact could mean for the Big Red.Nebraska running back Isaiah Mozee goes for 16 yards on this catch from quarterback TJ Lateef against Akron. | Kenny Larabee, KLINIsaiah Mozee- Running BackIsaiah Mozee came to Nebraska as a three-star wide receiver recruit. However, after totaling 3,241 receiving yards and 42 touchdowns through the air, along with 665 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground during his prep career, the Huskers' lack of depth at running back prompted a position change during fall camp.Mozee went on to play in all 13 games the Huskers played, totaling 383 all-purpose yards during his freshman campaign. Now, after former Big Ten Running Back of the Year Emmett Johnson left for the NFL, the Missouri native is expected to battle for the Huskers' starting running back role.The second-year player is now listed at 6-foot, 215 pounds, nearly 30 pounds heavier than he was listed as a prep recruit. With a frame built to carry the ball between the tackles in the Big Ten, expect Mozee to see the most meaningful snaps of his career this fall.Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Griffin Wilde is tackled by Dawson Merritt, Vincent Shavers Jr., and defensive back Ceyair Wright during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDawson Merritt- LinebackerDawson Merritt of Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, Kansas, finished the 2025 recruiting cycle as the nation's No. 103 overall prospect, according to 247Sports. In total, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker chose Nebraska over 24 other Division I programs, including Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri, and more.As a true freshman in 2025, Merritt saw the field right away, appearing in eight games while earning the first two starts of his collegiate career. He totaled eight tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss while battling injuries for much of the fall.Now expected to be healthy heading into fall camp, Merritt projects to contribute in the Huskers' new-look 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich brought in three transfer portal linebackers, all of whom are listed at no smaller than 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, but Merritt now has the size and experience to match.I don't necessarily expect him to start this fall, but there's little doubt he'll see a higher snap count than he did in 2025. If he can stay healthy for the entire year, Merritt has all the tools to be viewed as one of the faces of Nebraska's defense heading into 2027.Kade Pietrzak prepares to rush the passer against the Akron Zips. | Kenny LarabeeKade Pietrzak- EdgeKade Pietrzak, a three-star defensive line prospect from Sheyenne High School in Fargo, North Dakota, played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2025, including earning the first start of his collegiate career.He proved to be a disruptive force on an otherwise underwhelming defensive front, totaling 17 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass breakup, and one safety. By all means, he exceeded what many expected of him as a true freshman. Even so, it also raises the expectations of what the 6-foot-5, 275-pound edge can do in 2026.Pietrzak will face plenty of competition in the edge room this fall. However, what he showed as a true freshman leads me to believe he'll make an even bigger impact during his sophomore campaign.The North Dakota native likely won't be asked to start, but there's little doubt in my mind he'll carve out a significant role. Expect Pietrzak, who's reportedly gained 10 pounds since the 2025 season came to a close, to further prove his worth along Nebraska's defensive front as early as game one.Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow