Nebraska Insider Reveals Matt Rhule’s Recruiting Masterplan After HC’s Strong Warning to 16 Big 12 Teams

Nebraska’s in-state recruiting has been a mixed bag in recent years. Despite the push to lock down local talent, the results haven’t exactly been stellar. Many in-state recruits have already moved on, and it’s clear that the strategy of their head coach, Matt Rhule’s recruiting hasn’t hit the mark. Fast forward to the Class of 2026, though, and things are starting to look different. There are only 3 active in-state offers right now—Jace Reynolds, a linebacker from Elkhorn North, and Darien Jones, the younger brother of Donovan Jones, with Isaac Jensen opting out of an official visit.

Meanwhile, Iowa State is capitalizing on Nebraska’s struggles, offering nearly 10 in-state players and already landing 5 commitments from Nebraska high school stars in the 2026 class. And the latest addition is Tyrell Chatman, a safety from Lincoln Northstar, who committed just last week. So, Iowa State’s push for local talent is gaining momentum, leaving Matt Rhule’s Nebraska to reconsider how they’d approach homegrown recruits.

Analysts Sean Callahan and Steven Sipple dove into Matt Rhule’s recruitment strategy on HuskerOnline. That’s when Callahan dropped a bombshell. “I don’t really understand,” he said, referring to Iowa State’s approach. “You know, it tells me they’re obviously not going to build through the portal because it’s very expensive to take free agents. It’s almost like they’re signing rookies with undrafted free-agent type deals in NIL and [trying to] build it that way,” said Callahan. It’s a bold take, and one that sparks a bigger conversation about the future of recruitment in Nebraska and beyond.

“And that’s how they’ve done it,” Callahan added, pointing to Iowa State’s unique strategy. But Matt Rhule, ever the professional, offered a candid take. “Look, the Big 12 and the Big 10 are completely different leagues,” Callahan quoted him. Adding, “I know a lot of Big 12 fans don’t want to hear that, but that’s the reality.” Honestly, it was a blunt take of Matt Rhule, yet an honest assessment of the differences between the two conferences—and the uphill battle Nebraska faces.

However, Steven Sipple chimed in, adding a layer of insight. “And so he can’t, and I don’t expect Matt Rhule to be overly concerned about a team like Iowa State coming in, or whoever, offering Nebraska kids when they’re sophomores, right?” stated Sipple. Then, he paused for emphasis before continuing, “That Nebraska—we would play this game in the media, right Sean? – Where, ‘Oh, Nebraska wasn’t the first to offer that kid. Why not? Why does that kid have an offer from school X but not Nebraska?'” Simply put, Sipple made it clear he stood by Rhule’s approach. “I am very supportive,” said the insider.

Here comes Matt Rhule’s recruiting master plan. Okay, now this is where things could get heated. But Sipple broke it down, saying, “Rule’s approach, as he outlined on Thursday, makes a lot of sense to me because of what he said.” And now, Sipple put it best, saying, “We have to topple Ohio State.” Then Sipple paused, emphasizing the delicate balance in Rhule’s strategy and said, “Now, now this is where you gotta be delicate with the conversation. You have to be very choosy about who you pick, and you can’t get into the—you can’t get into this pattern of trying to appease a lot of people in Nebraska.” So, it’s a strategy of precision, not appeasement.

While Matt Rhule has become choosy in recruiting players for his team, he issued a strong warning to the 16 Big 12 teams.

Matt Rhule’s firm message

Matt Rhule may have cut ties with the Big 12 after leaving Baylor, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking jabs at the league. And at a recent press conference, Rhule didn’t hold back, firing shots at the Big 12 while hyping up the ‘dominance’ of the SEC and B1G. Right now, his words echoed a bold claim: these power conferences rule the CFB landscape.

However, Matt Rhule didn’t hold back when talking about the Big 12, saying, “There are lots of kids I would love to recruit that have committed to a Big 12 school or somewhere else like that, come to camp.” Moreover, he added, “If you want to play in the Big 12 over the Big Ten, I got it, but make no mistake, there’s a big difference.” And while Rhule came out swinging against the Big 12, his record at Nebraska tells a different story. Look, in two seasons, he’s posted a 12-13 record overall.

Honestly, Matt Rhule’s coaching resume isn’t exactly dazzling. With stops at Temple, Baylor, and Nebraska, he’s only 3 games above .500. On top of that, in 9 seasons, his only Top 25 finish came in 2019 when Baylor made the Sugar Bowl. Still, Rhule isn’t shy about stirring the pot. “The Big 12 is gonna go nuts now, I know that,” he said. Adding, “I’m gonna be on X and all that stuff, but it’s the reality. The Big Ten and the SEC, especially moving forward, are going to be here [higher] than everyone else.”

Now, Rhule has a chance to prove his predictions true in 2025. The question remains: Will he back up his bold claims, or will they be just talk?