LINCOLN, Neb. — Matt Rhule offered a phrase last week to describe the constant churn of names and information through the transfer portal and coaching carousel since the start of December: “Perceived chaos.”
According to the second-year Nebraska football coach, “There will be a lot more” of it in the weeks ahead.
But no amount of roster change scares Rhule because he believes in the resources at the Huskers’ disposal to replenish their roster. And he believes in the coaching staff he has restructured to make efficient use of the players it has handed when the smoke from this blaze clears sometime in 2025.
“It’s basically, if we’re being honest,” Rhule said, “365 days a year of free agency, with the power in the players’ hands.”
The victories for Nebraska so far in this portal cycle are trickling in.
Defensive lineman Jaylen George, a first-team All-Southern Conference pick as a sophomore this year at East Tennessee State, signed the papers Tuesday to join the Huskers, Rhule said. Nebraska previously added former five-star prospect Williams Nwaneri, a defensive end from Missouri, out of the portal, in addition to ex-New Hampshire long snapper Kevin Gallic and former Washington punter Jack McCallister.
Former Missouri defensive end Williams Nwaneri (6) signed with Nebraska out of the transfer portal. (Eric Canha / Imagn Images)
Running back Emmett Johnson and defensive end Keona Davis, both key pieces, jumped into the portal but backed out to stay in Lincoln.
The Huskers are deep into hosting portal visitors.
And the departures continue to mount in this second full week of practices for the Pinstripe Bowl, which will be played on Dec. 28 in New York against Boston College. The latest big entry for Nebraska came Monday from sophomore running back Dante Dowdell, the Huskers’ leader this season in rushing yardage (614 yards) and rushing touchdowns (12).
A number of Nebraska transfers have found homes, including linebackers Princewill Umanmielen at Ole Miss and Stefon Thompson at Florida State, defensive end James Williams at Florida State, defensive end Jimari Butler at LSU, quarterback Daniel Kaelin at Virginia, and linebacker Mikai Gbayor at Missouri.
With the amount of money circulating in college football, Rhule stated, “this is completely different than it was even a year ago.”
Running back Gabe Ervin, defensive lineman Vincent Jackson and Kai Wallin, tight end Nate Boerkircher, defensive back Koby Bretz, and wide receiver Malachi Coleman are among the Nebraska contributors still available.
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