Players come, players go, and sometimes, entire rosters seem to vanish overnight. The sport has always been about change, but in recent years, it feels like we’re watching a reality show where no one is quite sure who will stick around for the finale. And for one historic Big Ten program, even after winning the Pinstripe Bowl, it has been less of a “roster management” and more of the great “exodus,” as the transfer portal flung open its doors on December 9.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are facing an offseason so turbulent it could make the Great Plains winds blush. Fresh off their first bowl win since 2015, the Huskers should have been riding high. Instead, they’ve been rocked by the departure of 31 players, with 23 of them already finding new homes elsewhere.

Former Nebraska star Adam Carriker didn’t hold back in assessing the situation on his show, Carriker Chronicles. “We’ve had 31 players transfer from Nebraska away from the Huskers. At this point, we have the number one transfer portal class in the Big Ten and number six class in the country,” he said, with a mix of pride and disbelief.

To be fair, this wasn’t entirely unexpected. Head coach Matt Rhule, who took over the reins in November, had already sounded the alarm, predicting that as many as 50 players could explore the portal. With new NCAA roster limits capping teams at 105 players, the math was never in Nebraska’s favor. Rhule admitted the harsh reality: “I don’t want any of them to go into the portal. I want them all to stay here and develop. It’s just the new world we’re in. It’s going to be different.” His words strike at the heart of it all, where stability feels like a relic of a bygone era.

The departures didn’t stop at the players. Defensive coordinator Tony White, who had been instrumental in Nebraska’s improvements, is now bound for Florida State. His exit adds another layer to the narrative of upheaval, highlighting how staff movement often mirrors the volatility of the roster itself. White’s departure underscores a truth every coach in the nation knows too well: building a program isn’t just about recruiting talent—it’s about keeping it.

Yet, amid the chaos, there are glimmers of hope. Nebraska has managed to turn the portal frenzy to its advantage, assembling what Carriker called the “number one transfer portal class in the Big Ten.” That’s no small feat for a program trying to reclaim its identity after years of mediocrity.

The Huskers’ ability to attract top-tier talent like former Missouri edge rusher Williams Nwaneri, a five-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2024, speaks volumes about Rhule’s vision and the program’s enduring allure. Still, it’s a double-edged sword—adding talent doesn’t erase the sting of losing homegrown players who might have thrived with more patience and development.

The Huskers portal era has been an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, they took a sigh of relief when freshman Dylan Raiola cleared his transfer rumor, but next, they’re mourning players’ departure. Nebraska’s offseason epitomizes this new normal, where rebuilding isn’t a step-by-step process but a frantic scramble to keep the foundation intact while adding new pieces. As the Huskers look toward the 2025 season, they’ll need to blend their fresh arrivals with the players who stayed, all while navigating a conference that’s only getting tougher.

The portal has created opportunities but also amplified challenges, forcing programs to adapt—or risk falling behind. For Matt Rhule and the Huskers, the road ahead is daunting but not without promise.

Even ESPN did Matt Rhule and Nebraska dirty

It’s adapt or fade into the background, and for Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the journey ahead is tough but full of potential. Nebraska football heads into 2025 with something to prove, especially after being largely overlooked in the early chatter.

Case in point? ESPN’s “way-too-early” Top 25 rankings for the 2025 season dropped right after Ohio State clinched the national title over Notre Dame. While the Buckeyes predictably sit atop the list, Nebraska, who finished the season 7-6 overall, found itself in the “teams to consider” category—basically knocking on the door but not quite in the spotlight yet.

For a program with Nebraska’s legacy, being relegated to “honorable mention” status only adds fuel to the fire. Matt Rhule has a big job ahead, balancing recruiting, player development, and portal pickups to elevate Nebraska back to national prominence.