The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team has undergone a significant overhaul under head coach Matt Rhule since he took over the Big Red in 2022. Rhule and his staff made headlines, effecting a real difference. Nebraska’s defense and offense (still a work in progress) received big reinforcements under coach Rhule. The Huskers football team was among the top 15 teams in the nation for rushing defense, rushing offense, total defense, and scoring defense. Special teams fared pretty well, too, snagging the No. 2 spot nationally with four blocked kicks. The coaching staff’s efforts bore fruit for as many as 10 Huskers earned All-Big Ten honors. Seven of those were first-time honorees. Rhule has let the football world know that he got the Big Red on the right track, setting the Huskers up for even bigger things in the coming days. 

With Rhule in the front seat, it was a ride for Nebraska in 2023. The Huskers wrapped up the last season with a 5-7 record. And let me tell you, it’s the best the Huskers have (out)done in seven seasons! Rhule made his mark in the Big Ten, taking Nebraska to three wins in the West Division — matching their total from the last three seasons combined. Though the offense fumbled a bit, the defense went pretty hard with many young players onboard. But here’s some good news for the Big Red fans. For the first time in 22 years, Nebraska went undefeated in October. That’s a pretty sweet achievement for the Huskers, after all! In his recent interviews, Rhule has filled in the fans with sneak peeks of the development at Nebraska.

The Big Red is in the safe hands of the coach Matt Rhule

There’s no denying that Rhule’s 2024 recruiting class has really set the bar high. The 27-player squad and six transfers snagged the No. 24 spot nationally per the On3 industry average. In a meeting ahead of the fall season, Rhule disclosed some critical updates. Rhule kicked things off with a shoutout to some recent Nebraska grads: Teddy Prohaska, Braden Clover, Keegan Menning, and Niles Paul. Big congrats to them all! It’s always cool to see players hitting milestones beyond the field. Rhule seemed stoked about Niles Paul’s return to finish his degree, proving that “hey even coaches appreciate a little academic hustle!”

But it’s not all rainbows and graduation caps for the Huskers, as Rhule also shared some tough news about Javin Wright. Wright is out indefinitely because of a health issue. While Rhule didn’t get into the details, he emphasized that Javin’s recovery is a priority, and the team is dealing with it. The middle linebacker’s absence is a blow, but the depth of the squad means the Huskers have options.

Mikai Gbayor, Stefon Thompson, Vincent Shavers, and others are ready to step up with their A-game, keeping the defense strong. With everyone waiting impatiently for Rhule to announce the starting quarterback’s name, it seems that the wait is over, as the head coach revealed that he will make his decision public this week. The competition’s fierce, with a trio of contenders showing they can lead. Rhule mentioned that while they’ve all worked hard, it’s about who stands out in critical moments. Whether it’s Dylan Raiola or another name, the battle is heating up at Nebraska camp, and the excitement’s palpable.

The 2025 preparations have already begun

So, looking at the 120-player roster for the preseason, it’s clear that the team’s priorities are about to shift with the 2025 recruiting class. The next crop probably won’t be as big as last year’s, but the groundwork is already being laid.

During their spring game, Nebraska rolled out the red carpet for over two dozen 2025 recruits in May. The batch included the top two in-state guys: Christian Jones, a linebacker from Omaha Westside, and Chase Loftin, a tight end from Millard South. Both are four-star talents and still have their commitments up in the air. And as May rolled around, the Huskers had seven players already committed. Four of the top eight Nebraska prospects decided to stick with the home team. We’ve got Tyson Terry, a defensive lineman from Omaha North; Caden VerMaas, a defensive back from Millard North; Conor Booth, a running back from Wahoo Neumann; and Jackson Carpenter, a wide receiver from Lincoln Southwest.

Nebraska also welcomed some serious talent as visitors, including five-star athlete Michael Terry from San Antonio and four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt from Overland Park, Kan. Other visitors included Cortez Mills, a four-star wide receiver from Homestead, Fla., and Alai Kalaniuvalu, a four-star offensive lineman from Las Vegas. They also had four-star quarterback TJ Lateef from Orange, Calif., wide receiver Emmanuel Choice from Lancaster, Texas, and defensive back Antonio Branch from Miami. Rounding out the crew was three-star offensive lineman John Mills from San Francisco. With the 2024 season about to begin, it’s only fair to say that Nebraska’s football glory days are not very far.