The Cornhuskers had a pretty decent year, definitely one of their best stretches in the last eight seasons. But just when it looked like Matt Rhule had things dialed in at Nebraska, the transfer portal decided to throw a wrench in his plans. Rhule actually saw this coming a mile away. Back in 2024, he warned, “Think this year, we’re going to end up with 30-50 guys (Nebraska players) in the portal with the roster (limit). … 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.” And now, it looks like his prediction is coming true, with major depth issues looming for Rhule and the team.

Rhule even went so far as to cancel the spring game, worried that other teams would swoop in and poach his players. After all, spring games are basically a free talent showcase for the Huskers. But what if those talents are just sitting on the bench? Now, a dark cloud is hanging over Nebraska’s future, with Wilson Dittman predicting a major roster cut after spring ball wraps up.

Dittman is talking about players who haven’t seen any real playing time and are itching to find a team where they can actually get on the field. Basically, Matt Rhule’s got to balance keeping his guys happy with managing a roster in this wild new transfer portal era. “So, I want to get things started with the guys going into spring ball who, if they don’t step up, I would not be shocked if they transfer: Kwinten Ives, Janiran Bonner, Demitrius Bell—Demetrius Bell’s out, but I could see him transfer if he’s saying, ‘Hey, I’m not a top-five receiver on the depth chart, might go play somewhere else,'” Dittman said. That might be true to some extent.

Consider Nebraska’s 2023 recruit, Kwinten Ives; the Palmyra running back has only gained 7 yards on 6 carries, scoring just one touchdown. The same goes for Janiran Bonner, who recorded 11 receptions for 67 yards with a single TD last season. Now, let’s discuss the intriguing situation with Demetrius Bell, who suffered an injury before last season and missed the entire year. But as Dittman said, a lack of a depth chart listing might change his mind. And this is just the start of Dittman’s long list….

He added, “Tyler Knaak, Gage Stenger, and Malcolm Hartzog—those are the veteran guys who I could see transferring just because they don’t have much eligibility left. If they’re buried in the depth chart, they might go.” If you take players like Tyler and Gage, they didn’t see much time on the field last season. And it’s evident that if they don’t get better playtime, they might switch. Even though Malcolm, who committed to the Huskers more than a couple of years back, scored 33 solo tackles last season, the real issue is if they can all make an impact before their college careers are over.

Let’s get real—scholarship cuts are coming. Second-year D-linemen? They’re on notice. As Dittman pointed out—“Guys like D’Andre Barnes, Brice Turner, and Jaidyn Doss. On the D-line, Ashton Murphy and Mason Goldman—players we just never hear nuggets about. They’re never shining in practice.” Except for Goldman, none of the other players even entered the field last season. And if we’re counting Mason Goldman’s stats—4 solo tackles and 1 sack—it’s a drop in the ocean.

Despite the challenges with the roster, Matt Rhule is rapidly assembling a talented 2025 class. Nebraska has already secured commitments from 20 players, with 12 being four-star recruits and the remainder three-star prospects. Linebacker Dawson Merritt and wide receiver Cortez Mills are leading the way, setting the standard for what Rhule envisions as a dominant group. Rhule is not stopping there, as he is taking significant measures to ensure a bright future for the Huskers.

Matt Rhule taking drastic steps to save Huskers’ future

Dylan Raiola’s debut was a rough ride. In the first half, he went a dismal 2-for-10, racking up a mere 7 yards and leaving the offense sputtering. A lone 40-yard connection with Jacory Barney Jr. provided a brief spark, but it couldn’t salvage the overall lackluster performance. UCLA, by contrast, dominated on both fronts, amassing 139 rushing yards and 219 passing yards compared to Nebraska’s paltry 209 and 113, respectively. This is why Nebraska is focusing on enhancing their wide receiver talent.

Raiola desperately needs explosive playmakers who can deliver game-changing moments. However, raw talent alone won’t cut it. Raiola himself is under intense scrutiny, not just for his passing accuracy, but also for his 6’3″, 230-pound frame, a constant topic of conversation in Lincoln. “He won’t be a great quarterback at 240 lbs, right?” Coach Rhule reassured, emphasizing that Raiola is diligently refining his body composition to enhance his agility, pocket mobility, and overall athleticism. This situation just amplifies the pressure on Rhule, who understands he can’t allow these concerns to derail the team. And the result?

Enter Wilson Dittman, who’s dropping some tantalizing names. First up, Jabari Brady, a potential number one target from Florida. “Let’s get things started with arguably the number one target coming out of Florida,” Dittman began. “This is Jabari Brady out of Pompano Beach. He is 6’2″ and 210 lbs. You watch Jabari Brady on film; the first thing that you see is incredible hands. He uses height very well. He has great burst and good speed off the line at scrimmage. Honestly, very, very good route running for his age.” As a freshman, the 2026 standout posted impressive numbers: 43 receptions, 864 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns, all while playing defense. That’s next-level talent.

Next on Dittman’s list is Nalin Scott, a four-star prospect from McEachern. “Nalin Scott has announced that he will be visiting Nebraska this summer. This is another four-star wide receiver, also from Georgia. Now, this is a speedy, speedy guy, man. Again, great acceleration, great burst. I think he’s probably the best route runner out of the three so far,” Dittman noted. Matt Rhule is prioritizing speed, and Scott certainly fits the bill. However, with 37 offers already on the table, securing his commitment will be a fierce battle. Will Rhule’s receiver hunt turn into a recruiting harvest, or will it wither on the vine?