Williams, Barney Lead Husker Big Ten Honorees
A pair of return specialists lead a group of Nebraska players honored by the Big Ten on Wednesday, as the league recognized all-conference special teams and defensive players.
Kickoff return specialist Kenneth Williams was named to the second-team All-Big Ten unit as a return specialist by the media panel, while the coaches named him a third-team choice. Fellow return specialist Jacory Barney Jr. was a third-team selection by the media and an honorable- mention choice by the league’s coaches.
Williams ranked among the nation’s leaders by averaging 32.9 yards on 12 kickoff returns. The sophomore from Detroit, Mich., had the two longest kickoff returns at Nebraska in eight years, with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Northwestern and an 85-yard return to set up a touchdown at Maryland.
Barney was an all-purpose threat for the Huskers, excelling on both punt returns and kickoff returns, in addition to his work as a receiver. Barney ranked in the top 15 nationally, averaging 12.3 yards per return, including a season-long 57-yard return. His 270 punt return yards were the most by a Husker since 2014. Barney also averaged 22.8 yards on nine kickoff returns and had 43 receptions.
Five Husker defensive players were also recognized on Wednesday, receiving honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors. Defensive backs Andrew Marshall, DeShon Singleton and Ceyair Wright, along with linebacker Javin Wright all received honorable-mention accolades from both the coaches and media selectors. Jack linebacker Dasan McCullough earned honorable-mention recognition from the coaches.
Marshall, Singleton and Ceyair Wright led one of the nation’s top pass defenses in 2025. The Huskers rank second in the nation in passing yards allowed per game at 141.1 yards per contest.
In his first year at Nebraska, Marshall totaled 41 tackles, four tackles for loss, an interception and three pass breakups. Singleton had a standout senior season, ranking second on the team with 70 tackles, while adding four tackles for loss, two interceptions, four breakups and a fumble recovery. Wright was a versatile performer for Nebraska playing both cornerback and nickel. The senior from Los Angeles was one of the top coverage men in the conference and finished with 25 tackles and a team-high five PBU.
Javin Wright lead the Husker linebacking corps in his final season at Nebraska. Wright had a team-high 83 tackles, including six double-figure tackle games. Wright also tied for the team lead with 7.5 tackles for loss and added an interception and three breakups. McCullough made the most of his lone season at Nebraska, recording five tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Big Ten will announce offensive all-conference honorees and offensive award winners on Thursday. The awards will be announced live on BTN Today at 11 a.m.