The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ pursuit of a more prosperous 2025 is unwavering. Year 2 of the Matt Rhule era entailed more of the same—moments of greatness and moments of growth. Their trajectory remained an upward one. The Big Red finally breached the 6-win bowl eligibility criteria after a long seven-year rut. Even winning said Bowl game to tie a bow on the season. However, the team has had its fair share of learning experiences. 5 of their 6 losses came by one-score margins. One wonders what could’ve transpired with a dab of luck and marginally better personnel. As coach Rhule looks to cut this deficit, help from down south is on the way.

Talent breeds in close proximity. Almost as if it permeates from individual to individual via osmosis. Especially athletic talent, which has always been concentrated in certain parts of the country. Alongside Texas and California, Florida is probably the most prominent hotbed of such athletic talent. Some of the greatest players in football history, including the likes of Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp, Derrick Henry, and Deion Sanders, hail from the area. It’s only right that Matt Rhule and the Huskers have a strong base in the Sunshine State. Well, they’ve just taken a massive step towards it with the return of a familiar face to Lincoln.

The Huskers onboarded Phil Simpson as their new outside linebackers coach back in December. Simpson was already on Rhule’s staff in 2023 when he first came to Nebraska but jumped over to Florida State last offseason. Moving closer to his stomping grounds. But knowing how things transpired in Tallahassee, it’s not a surprise he’s back in Lincoln. Not only does he bring coaching acumen that the Huskers could do with, but Phil Simpson also brings a sheen that’s magnetic to prospects from Florida. The proof is already in the pudding, as one Nebraska fan/insider acknowledged.

Wilson Dittman took to his namesake YouTube channel to relay just how much of a trump card Phil Simpson is. Dittman referred to Simpson as “a hidden gem” who “might be the most important assistant coach on the team.” He proceeded to list a bunch of key players on Matt Rhule’s roster who are a direct result of Simpson recruiting them during his first stint. “The best player on our offense last year, Jacory Barney. Really, the only reason he came to Nebraska and considered us? Phil Simpson. The best player on this defense, Vincent Shavers. Reason he really came to Nebraska? Phil Simpson,” Ditmann named a string of other recruits, too.

“Willis McGahee… Larry Tarver… Amare Sanders… What do all those boys have in common? They’re from Florida. You know who recruits Florida at a rate that we’ve never seen before on this coaching staff? Phil Simpson,” he announced. Not only did Simpson help bring these players to Lincoln, but his return ensured they were not jumping ship. This really is a shrewd, surgical hire by Matt Rhule and the Huskers brass. But these are all seeds sown in 2023 that the Huskers are reaping the rewards of still. What about the future plans in the pipeline? Pieces are already in motion to sustain this upward trajectory coach Rhule has instigated.

Matt Rhule and Nebraska already seeing the outcome of rehiring Phil Simpson

“You better believe he’s bringing some more Florida boys who are just as talented to Nebraska in the foreseeable future,” claimed Wilson Dittman about Phil Simpson and his conveyor belt of talent. Right off the bat, a player that sticks out is WR and Florida native Jabari Brady. A 4-star in the class of ‘26, Brady has Nebraska on his itinerary of official visits this summer. Dittman attributes Lincoln getting a nod to Phil Simpson. He also brought up fellow WR and 4-star Cortez Mills. Who’s in this recruitment class for 2025 and already on Matt Rhule’s roster.

Mills flipped from Oklahoma to Nebraska mere days before Phil Simpson got announced. Is this a tangible link between the two events? Simpson was Mills’ coach in high school, according to Dittman. The timing of his flip, less than a week before the official announcement, points at two things. That Cortez Mills was privy to this move being in the pipeline and just how much of a recruiting guru Phil Simpson really is. “The interesting thing is when Matt Rhule got to Nebraska, he always said how important Texas was going to be. How we’re going to build this Texas pipeline, you know. That we’re going to get all these great players from the Lone Star State. That’s dead. That’s not a thing anymore. You want to know why? Because of Phil Simpson, we have prioritized Florida over Texas… and I’m completely fine with it,” remarked Wilson Dittman.

Nebraska is steadily trudging towards getting back to the lofty heights of the past. This blueblood has been out of the reckoning towards the top echelons of CFB for way too long now. Recruitment from high school won’t microwave success, but it’ll help sustain it if and when they get back to their pedestal. Matt Rhule could do much worse than target Florida. Clean it dry, and there’ll still be more to go back for. With Phil Simpson pulling the strings down there, Rhule can spread his wings to other epicenters that have produced football players incessantly. Nebraska isn’t the only one trying to lock down a state.