Matt Rhule has changed his stance for a valid reason. In 2023, he expressed strong confidence in his traditional recruiting approach, stating, “We believe in doing things the old-school way, the hard way – building.” This indicated that the transfer portal was not a priority for them. However, fast forward to January 2025, and Nebraska has taken a bold approach to participating in the portal, amassing one of the top transfer classes in the country. So, what’s behind this shift?
Rhule’s program has welcomed 16 transfer commits and is eyeing a few more, making them one of the most proactive teams in the nation. If you’re wondering how Nebraska is attracting such talent despite a less-than-stellar season, here’s the scoop…
In a YouTube video released on January 12 titled “Nebraska’s GENIUS Transfer Strategy IS CHANGING EVERYTHING | REVEALED PLAN | Husker Football Portal,” Nebraska insider Wilson Dittman posed and addressed several key questions. He noted, “Nebraska has been incredibly active in the transfer portal. The Huskers now boast the sixth-ranked class in the entire country. But with this success comes a lot of scrutiny; many fans are curious: Why is Nebraska so aggressive? Why are they adding so many players? What does this mean for the 105-player cap that’s being introduced?”
To provide some context: The recent settlement from the House vs. NCAA case has imposed new roster limits, increasing the cap for college football from the previous 85 to 105 players for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Dittman then delved into the situation. “Examining Matt Rhule’s strategic approach for Nebraska in this transfer portal class… When Rhule arrived in Lincoln two years ago, he stated he wouldn’t be aggressive in pursuing transfers. He intended to build the program the old-fashioned way, focusing on high school recruiting and only supplementing with a few transfers each year. Nebraska has significantly exceeded that expectation.”
“Matt Rhule has completely shifted his position. He stated recently, ‘I’ve reconsidered my approach. You need to be aggressive in the transfer portal in modern college football. That’s crucial for success. Adapting is key to survival.’ He recognizes the importance of the transfer portal.”
Comparing Rhule’s recruitment strategy to an NFL mini camp, Dittman explained, “Currently, Nebraska has 135 players on its roster, which needs to be trimmed to 105 by summer—meaning 30 players will need to be released. This implies that during spring practice, everyone is competing for their place on the team; no one has guaranteed a position, and at the end, Rhule will have to make tough decisions.”
“Nebraska will run spring practice like an NFL mini camp,” which signifies that “everyone is at risk and competing for a roster spot.”
“[Nebraska is] taking on many transfers right now because there are no penalties. They can fill the roster to the brim until summer, leading to a mini camp-like atmosphere where some players may need to be let go. While this may negatively impact some players, like possibly cutting a player like Jamir Conn if he doesn’t rank among the top in the position, it’s a business decision for Nebraska. They’re focused on acquiring top talent.”
Dittman further elaborated on Nebraska’s recruiting philosophy: “The reason behind Nebraska’s aggressive approach and the influx of players, even in crowded positions like defensive backs, is that they’ll be cutting several players. The culture at Nebraska centers on merit; those who want to be part of the 105 must earn their place. No one’s position is secure at this moment.”
In conclusion, this aligns with Rhule’s original recruitment mindset: “Recruiting is about identifying the players who are the right fit for you.”
This strategic mini camp approach will not only give Rhule plenty of time to make his decisions, but it will also push all his players to compete vigorously for a spot on the roster. Now, let’s look…
At Nebraska’s transfer portal achievements. Following their 7-6 season, Matt Rhule’s program welcomed a wealth of talent. Out of the 16 transfer commits, five are offensive players, nine are on defense, and two are special teams specialists. According to 247 Sports, Nebraska leads the Big Ten in the transfer rankings with 58.97 points, while Oregon follows with 50.63 points. The Huskers just missed the top five in the nation, sitting at No. 6.
The 2025 transfer class for Nebraska includes a former 5-star player, five 4-star players, and ten 3-star players. Among their most notable additions is 5-star EDGE Williams Nwaneri, who, despite only playing in two games at Missouri last season and posting two tackles and a sack, has significant potential. Other standout transfers include 4-star WR Dane Key from Kentucky and 4-star OT Elijah Pritchett from Alabama.
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