Top 40 Huskers for 2018: 16-20

Voting Criteria: Player's importance to the team in 2018, overall talent, and future potential for the upcoming season. A player's long-term/NFL prospects were not taken into consideration.

Voting Panel: Publisher Sean Callahan, HuskerOnline.com staff Robin Washut, Nate Clouse, Mike Matya, and Gregg Peterson.

While he may be a bit overshadowed by his twin brother Carlos, Khalil Davis has a chance to be a fixture on Nebraska's defensive line because he can play either at end or tackle.

At 6-2, 290, Davis has the ideal build and skill set for a 3-4 defensive end, which still holds some big depth questions heading into fall camp. After literally tripling his career-highs in tackles (15), TFLs (4) and sacks (2) last season, Davis' ascension should only continue.

While Nebraska's coaches haven't yet named a projected starter at center, they certainly have set the table for Conrad - who made seven starts at center last year but missed five games to injury - to be at the forefront of that discussion entering fall camp.

Conrad has bounced back extremely well physically from his offseason surgery and, more importantly, has established himself as one of the clear senior leaders of the offensive line along with Tanner Farmer and Jerald Foster.

Barry was one of the players who benefitted the most from Nebraska's switch to a 3-4 defense last year, and he should thrive even further playing in Erik Chinander's more aggressive scheme.

The junior quickly moved towards the top of NU's inside linebacker depth chart this spring, and even if doesn't win a starting job he should see plenty of playing time this fall. Barry has also added to his natural athleticism by becoming one of the team's vocal leaders.

Farniok was thrown into the mix in a major way last year as a redshirt freshman, playing in seven games and making four starts at two different positions - two at right tackles and two at right guard.

He went through his share of learning bumps in the process, but the hope is Farniok is now ready to take the starting right tackle job by the horns and lock it down for the three seasons. Given the lack of proven tackle depth behind him, Farniok and left tackle Brenden Jaimes could be crucial to NU's offensive success.

Since enrolling early as a true freshman back in 2015, Williams has been a mainstay in Nebraska's secondary. A lingering injury limited him to just nine games last season, but that didn't stop him from being one of the Huskers' most productive defensive backs.

Williams finished 2017 ranked fourth on the team with 48 tackles and a team-high three takeaways, including NU's only defensive touchdown of the year. He'll be counted on to lead the way for secondary while working under his fourth position coach in four years.