Post-Portal Season: Where do we Stand?

[Doc Fumble]

(Cignetti) was able to keep the quality parts of the team together. He may not have spent a lot in the transfer portal (although he did get some players) he was able to KEEP quality players because Mark Cuban's money made it logical to stay with his positive program.

I'm using P-Dawg's quote to kick off an off-the-cuff, 'reality check' of where our Husker program stands as we wrap up portal season.

The Core. The number one thing to keep in mind is that we followed the Cignetti model by using our resources to KEEP most of our young pups in the program. In this move-move-move Transfer Portal era, the Indiana Natty speaks to the power of continuity. The Hoosier core stayed with their coach -- many of them through two schools -- to get to the top.

If you believe in Rhule (and I still do), view those guys as Nebraska's "James Madison." For all the flash of the transfer portal, those talented young players are the heart of what we need to compete next season.

The Defensive Front. I was hoping for a heralded 'Stud' D-lineman--but we didn't get one. But we brought in a number of promising ones. Now it'll be up to our DC and his DL coach --with proven track records of stopping the run--to see how the unit meshes. BUT there's no ignoring we pulled in some VERY talented linebackers. To put it bluntly, last season's linebacker play was disappointing. So if this group can step it up, that could go a long way towards shoring up last season's deficiencies.

The Offensive Front. I think Rhule and Company did a great job of ratcheting up our OL for the coming season. I 'get' why our OL has been stagnant for so long--I don't blame Rhule; we wanted Dylan Raiola. But this is Rhule's opportunity to follow in the footsteps of TO by ratcheting up our OL, with a kick-butt coach, Geep Wade AND some new (on paper) kick-butt player additions. IMHO, winning the B1G starts with a quality OL.

The QB and his Playmakers. I like Anthony Colandrea A LOT. I think Kentucky did us a huge favor by taking our first choice away. Colandrea will give Holgorsen's offense a new identity. With a stronger OL, a mobile QB--one with an attitude, and the continued development of our returning receivers--plus the addition of a damn good one from UCLA--this offense could be surprisingly good. While our RB position is legitimately a question mark, the signs are there that one or more of our returners will rise to the occasion.

The Bottom Line: This OP was never intended to be a detailed review. I just wanted to go on record as saying that, contrary to many of our gloom and doomers, I think our prospects for the 2026 season look---promising.

One of the things we'll have going for us is -- like 2024 Indiana -- national expectations will be low. If the confidence is high inside the program, Rhule can privately (No, No, NO Coach, keep your foot off the preseason hype accelerator!) use that for a 'chip on the shoulder' advantage.

 

[Jimbosc]

I feel good about QB and Oline changes. Not sure we helped as much as we should elsewhere but agree the guys coming with our DC should help translate what he wants to do to the field. So it falls on our retained guys to step up.......in the era of teams relying on portal transfers to give their teams an edge the one consistent thing I see is Senior QBs can be a huge asset AND WE GOT ONE - and a good one at that. (See game last night - 2 senior QBs that transferred in THIS YEAR).

 

[Nebraska99]

Meh, it's just another off-season playing "Let's wait and see what happens". Coaching turnover? Yep, played that already. A whole bunch of new players whose potential we get excited about? Yep, played that game too.

SSDD.

And I never thought I would say this but hey....we've got basketball to be excited about. lol

 

[NUinNC]

What is the status of Keona Davis?

What is the status of Eckeler?

 

[ATX_Husker]

Keona is in the portal, the HuskerOnline show noted that his late entry may have been a play on his part because other prospects had been snatched up so it made him a more attractive commodity. They also mentioned that Ek had already moved out of his office so it is just a matter of time until there is an announcement made by the hiring school (whoever that may be).

 

[Doc Fumble]

.......in the era of teams relying on portal transfers to give their teams an edge the one consistent thing I see is Senior QBs can be a huge asset AND WE GOT ONE - and a good one at that.

^^^^^ THIS!

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

With the POSSIBLE exception of our new QB, I don't see any difference makers.. We are a team of adequate players, with the possibility of a few pretty good players. That's what gets you a mediocre team. We are mediocre at RB, mediocre at LB, we have half a roster of DBs and no stars. Barney underperformed (my view) last year and I have little hope our TEs will become spectacular. We have no stud on the Dline and our Oline will improve because it couldn't have been worse.
I like Nyziah and TJ and hope they can kick it up a level, but Hunter so far has been above average, but not a gamechanger and TJ needs to show out.
The above is just a reality check. I hope I'm wrong and stars emerge. But I don't think we are an above average B1G team as we sit right now.
We need coaches getting guys up a level or two.

 

[innmc]

If we go 7-5 next season, I'll be amazed.

 

[Removed Spleen of Jordan]

QB - 2 good additions and 1 potential difference maker for next year
OL - 3 potential starters acquired with size so job well done there
DT - we missed on the biggest need for the D, size and experience at D tackle. Yes we got the 6th year mediocre guy from Boston College and the 270 lb guy from Pitt. I can't be anything but disappointed and skeptical. They now HAVE to land the 2026 late recruit Dylan Berymon and hope that Tyson Terry and Malcom Simpson can contribute. Will RVP emerge as a 3 technique? Not a good place to be in.
DE - They were already OK here with the switch to an even front and added depth.
LB - A couple of additions that don't jump off the screen. Wait and see.
WR - The guy from UCLA adds depth. Hanging onto Hunter was big. Maybe Barney can finally stop being tackled by a touch or soft breeze.
CB & S - I like the addition of an experienced safety from SDSU. Getting Marshall to stay was big. Lots of bodies so have to hope they get coached up.
RB - TOTAL FAILURE. It is as of now 6:10 ET on January 20th and no word on Char Mar Brown entering the portal. I can not believe that they think they can run it back with just the guys they have in the RB room. I didn't even hear of any potential interest in a portal RB let alone a visit. Dumbfounding.

 

[valiantsailor]

QB - 2 good additions and 1 potential difference maker for next year
OL - 3 potential starters acquired with size so job well done there
DT - we missed on the biggest need for the D, size and experience at D tackle. Yes we got the 6th year mediocre guy from Boston College and the 270 lb guy from Pitt. I can't be anything but disappointed and skeptical. They now HAVE to land the 2026 late recruit Dylan Berymon and hope that Tyson Terry and Malcom Simpson can contribute. Will RVP emerge as a 3 technique? Not a good place to be in.
DE - They were already OK here with the switch to an even front and added depth.
LB - A couple of additions that don't jump off the screen. Wait and see.
WR - The guy from UCLA adds depth. Hanging onto Hunter was big. Maybe Barney can finally stop being tackled by a touch or soft breeze.
CB & S - I like the addition of an experienced safety from SDSU. Getting Marshall to stay was big. Lots of bodies so have to hope they get coached up.
RB - TOTAL FAILURE. It is as of now 6:10 ET on January 20th and no word on Char Mar Brown entering the portal. I can not believe that they think they can run it back with just the guys they have in the RB room. I didn't even hear of any potential interest in a portal RB let alone a visit. Dumbfounding.

Nothing in our braintrust dumbfounds me any more. They managed to take a QB that could pass down field and hit a WR in full stride into one that cant hit the barn in front of it.

 

[Cigarman]

One thing that you got wrong is Indiana in the portal. Indiana is taking 17 portal players this year.
I agree with your QB assessment. I like the O-line additions as well.
The other big need was D-line. I am not overwhelmed by those coming in, but I'll wait and see how much they contribute. As a side note, I didn't see a lot of talent in the portal for this group to begin with.

We have to face the NIL facts. NU is a third or fourth tier NIL team. NU ranks 9th in the Big10 in NIL spending. That kind of NIL budget is not going to bring in a Leroy Selman.

 

[valiantsailor]

One thing that you got wrong is Indiana in the portal. Indiana is taking 17 portal players this year.
I agree with your QB assessment. I like the O-line additions as well.
The other big need was D-line. I am not overwhelmed by those coming in, but I'll wait and see how much they contribute. As a side note, I didn't see a lot of talent in the portal for this group to begin with.

We have to face the NIL facts. NU is a third or fourth tier NIL team. NU ranks 9th in the Big10 in NIL spending. That kind of NIL budget is not going to bring in a Leroy Selman.

We need a Cuban sugardaddy instead of the curmudgeon we DO have.

 

[redfred]

I'm using P-Dawg's quote to kick off an off-the-cuff, 'reality check' of where our Husker program stands as we wrap up portal season.

The Core. The number one thing to keep in mind is that we followed the Cignetti model by using our resources to KEEP most of our young pups in the program. In this move-move-move Transfer Portal era, the Indiana Natty speaks to the power of continuity. The Hoosier core stayed with their coach -- many of them through two schools -- to get to the top.

If you believe in Rhule (and I still do), view those guys as Nebraska's "James Madison." For all the flash of the transfer portal, those talented young players are the heart of what we need to compete next season.

The Defensive Front. I was hoping for a heralded 'Stud' D-lineman--but we didn't get one. But we brought in a number of promising ones. Now it'll be up to our DC and his DL coach --with proven track records of stopping the run--to see how the unit meshes. BUT there's no ignoring we pulled in some VERY talented linebackers. To put it bluntly, last season's linebacker play was disappointing. So if this group can step it up, that could go a long way towards shoring up last season's deficiencies.

The Offensive Front. I think Rhule and Company did a great job of ratcheting up our OL for the coming season. I 'get' why our OL has been stagnant for so long--I don't blame Rhule; we wanted Dylan Raiola. But this is Rhule's opportunity to follow in the footsteps of TO by ratcheting up our OL, with a kick-butt coach, Geep Wade AND some new (on paper) kick-butt player additions. IMHO, winning the B1G starts with a quality OL.

The QB and his Playmakers. I like Anthony Colandrea A LOT. I think Kentucky did us a huge favor by taking our first choice away. Colandrea will give Holgorsen's offense a new identity. With a stronger OL, a mobile QB--one with an attitude, and the continued development of our returning receivers--plus the addition of a damn good one from UCLA--this offense could be surprisingly good. While our RB position is legitimately a question mark, the signs are there that one or more of our returners will rise to the occasion.

The Bottom Line: This OP was never intended to be a detailed review. I just wanted to go on record as saying that, contrary to many of our gloom and doomers, I think our prospects for the 2026 season look---promising.

One of the things we'll have going for us is -- like 2024 Indiana -- national expectations will be low. If the confidence is high inside the program, Rhule can privately (No, No, NO Coach, keep your foot off the preseason hype accelerator!) use that for a 'chip on the shoulder' advantage.

Well this seems pretty comprehensive to me. So much so I have not much to add from a portal standpoint.

What I would add is simply repeating how important I feel the new coaches are. I have always felt that in totality the staff is more important than the head coach. I am sincerely holding out hope that Coach Rhule has it right this time. I’m cautiously optimistic that he has. If so, and if everyone can get on the same page, IMO Matt has done his most important jobs.

I feel it will be very hard to judge improvement on the win loss record alone next year. I think it’s entirely possibly we will have a worse record AND a better team next year. If we can avoid a meltdown like the last three games (plus Minnesota) like we had his year that will be a good start.

 

[redfred]

One thing that you got wrong is Indiana in the portal. Indiana is taking 17 portal players this year.
I agree with your QB assessment. I like the O-line additions as well.
The other big need was D-line. I am not overwhelmed by those coming in, but I'll wait and see how much they contribute. As a side note, I didn't see a lot of talent in the portal for this group to begin with.

We have to face the NIL facts. NU is a third or fourth tier NIL team. NU ranks 9th in the Big10 in NIL spending. That kind of NIL budget is not going to bring in a Leroy Selman.

Agree, but can we recruit a team like Indiana has this year,.and get them to play like a team. …..sorta like Fred is doing with our basketball team currently.

 

[Cigarman]

Agree, but can we recruit a team like Indiana has this year,.and get them to play like a team. …..sorta like Fred is doing with our basketball team currently.

Indiana has a couple of things going for it that most teams don't. First, few of their players are considered elite, so they are not being pressured by agents offering them money. Second, they are near the top of the Big10 in NIL spending. With Cuban backing the team they have plenty of money to keep their roster happy.

 

[Husker99]

One of the things we'll have going for us is -- like 2024 Indiana -- national expectations will be low. If the confidence is high inside the program, Rhule can privately (No, No, NO Coach, keep your foot off the preseason hype accelerator!) use that for a 'chip on the shoulder' advantage.

He won't because he's too focused on staying sTeADy aNd lEVeL.

I have almost no confidence left in Matt Rhule. I have almost no confidence in his ability to evaluate coaches because he's made three terrible hires: Satterfield at OC, White and Butler at DC. Which leads me to ask: Given Rhule's terrible track record at hiring OC and DC's, what makes anyone think this new guy from :checks notes: San Diego Bleeping State will be any better?

Further, this past season has me 2nd and 3rd guessing as to whether hiring Holgorsen was a mistake because the same problems our offense had with Satterfield have reappeared with Holgorsen: An offense that does well while running the practiced opening script, but then falters for the remaining 3 quarters.

Bowl game vs Utah, first two possessions, went right down the field and scored TDs. After that, nothing until Utah had like a 30 point lead and took their foot off the gas. Then Nebraska scored a meaningless TD to (YAY!!!!) only lose by 20 instead of 30.

I give Rhule credit for making changes because it shows me he's trying. However, I no longer believe he knows what good coaching is and doesn't have a clue what good coaching looks like. I desperately want to be wrong. I want Nebraska to look, and play, like they belong on the same field as Indiana but you know what the old adage is: sh^^ in one hand gives you diarrhea in the other.

 

[Uenth]

If we go 7-5 next season, I'll be amazed.

At this point, I have absolutely zero expectations for next year. I don't mean that negatively, as I know it sounds but just as a gut check kind of thing. I was so positive that we would win 8 or 9 regular season games and then win our bowl game on top of that and UGH. So I'll be here next year, cheering for a Husker victory but I'm not going to worry or even try to predict what the team is going to do. Just going to roll with whatever plays out on the field.

 

[Huusker]

I have almost no confidence left in Matt Rhule.

Sadly, this is where I am residing as well.

He has made improvements, but we were close to rock bottom after Riley and Frost left town. He's done some good things, but now I wonder if we've hit our Rhule ceiling. In-game adjustments are weak if they occur at all. His approach the past few months has gone from positivity to excuse-making. I'm not yet sold on Aurich or in giving an Ekeler playbook to people still on staff and hoping to get the same special teams results.

I think possibly they covered the portal losses with portal gains.

Maybe there are multiple breakout upgrades lurking in this new group. It's also possible we're looking at another team that will struggle to get to 6-6 next season. No acquisition of a portal RB is one of many mysteries that only Rhule understands.

I've entered wait-and-see mode, but honestly, I'm not terribly optimistic.

 

[Removed Spleen of Jordan]

He won't because he's too focused on staying sTeADy aNd lEVeL.

I have almost no confidence left in Matt Rhule. I have almost no confidence in his ability to evaluate coaches because he's made three terrible hires: Satterfield at OC, White and Butler at DC. Which leads me to ask: Given Rhule's terrible track record at hiring OC and DC's, what makes anyone think this new guy from :checks notes: San Diego Bleeping State will be any better?

Further, this past season has me 2nd and 3rd guessing as to whether hiring Holgorsen was a mistake because the same problems our offense had with Satterfield have reappeared with Holgorsen: An offense that does well while running the practiced opening script, but then falters for the remaining 3 quarters.

Bowl game vs Utah, first two possessions, went right down the field and scored TDs. After that, nothing until Utah had like a 30 point lead and took their foot off the gas. Then Nebraska scored a meaningless TD to (YAY!!!!) only lose by 20 instead of 30.

I give Rhule credit for making changes because it shows me he's trying. However, I no longer believe he knows what good coaching is and doesn't have a clue what good coaching looks like. I desperately want to be wrong. I want Nebraska to look, and play, like they belong on the same field as Indiana but you know what the old adage is: sh^^ in one hand gives you diarrhea in the other.

White wasn't a bad hire. His D was top 25. Phil Snow was the bad hire that caused White to leave because of too much meddling and then we were stuck with Butler.

 

[justino52]

I think that Nebraska didn't need to get a RB. I believe that with the change in offense coming, that our current RB's will be a lot better than expected.
I think Connor Booth will be a more featured back this upcoming season.