Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule has some superpowers. After all, he can foresee the future. Back in November 2024, he projected, “Think this year, we’re going to end up with 30-50 guys (Nebraska players) in the portal with the roster (limit).” And, damn! Rhule’s prediction came true. The Cornhuskers have lost 36 players to the transfer portal this offseason. But it’s not the right time for Rhule to cry over the losses, as he has some important tasks on his hands. A 4-star commit wants to give Nebraska a chance, even after giving his commitment to Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes. Even though the two teams have not faced each other since 2015, what better way to break the drought than some freshly-cooked-up fight on the recruiting trail?
The inaugural matchup between the Cornhuskers and Hurricanes was in 1951 in Miami. In that game, Nebraska went home with a 19-7 win. However, in the 2015 face-off, Miami landed a 36-33 defeat. Drumrolls! It’s now time for Rhule and Cristobal to torment each other, not on the gridiron, but on the recruiting track. Well, this off-season must have been too traumatic to handle for Nebraska. Can you imagine the pain of losing four players in one day? Well, Rhule has gone through it all. Plus, he has seen how things go wrong in the blink of an eye. For instance, Nebraska had spread an atmosphere of terror, flexing their Patrick Mahomesque quarterback, Dylan Raiola. But unfortunately, the plan fell into pieces. If Rhule needs some boost, he will now have to hunt down Miami four-star commit Jordan Campbell.
So, when is Rhule’s big day that will test his recruiting prowess? The linebacker will visit Nebraska the weekend of June 13-15. While Cristobal has set their official date with their long-time commit, who has been committed since November 21, 2023, Campbell takes the ‘no feelings are final’ road. And Rhule can’t afford to make any more mess-ups here. On the May 21st episode of the Wilson Dittman Sports podcast, host Wilson Dittman throws light on the race to land Campbell. “Nebraska has been trying to flip Jordan Campbell for a very long time now of course this a top 100 linebacker out of Miami been committed to Miami…he will be taking an official visit to Nebraska on June 13th through the 15th so that’s a significant development.” Are Miami and Nebraska the only two runners?
No way. Auburn Tigers and Tigers are also part of the chase. However, Dittman is not quite bothered about the other two. “I’m not worried about those other schools, he’s not going to commit there, we know it’s going to be Nebraska or the Hurricanes.” Campbell has been to Nebraska numerous times over the last couple of years. He last took an unofficial visit to Lincoln on April 26 and took an unofficial visit before that on February 1 for the program’s Junior Day. Well, here, Rhule’s desperation is real.
On one hand, he had costly linebacker departures Stefon Thompson, Mikai Gbayor, and Princewill Umanmielen. On the other hand, there is Campbell, who recorded 70 tackles and six sacks last season for Carol City High School. The young chap is an electric defensive playmaker who would immediately bolster an already-strong linebacker group. While Rhule must be chasing hard on the recruiting trail, he must not lose focus from the bull’s eye.
Matt Rhule’s must-have mantra for 2025
Well, Rhule already got a trailer on how the 2025 season is going to roll for Nebraska from how the transfer portal unfolded. With this, the pressure is building up. Dittman once said in an earlier podcast discussing USA Today’s ‘The Best Coaches in Big 10’ list. “I’m shocked! A lot of beat reporters around the country don’t respect Matt Rhule, probably as much as they should.” That’s because Rhule earned himself a No.5 spot above head coaches like Curt Cignetti whose boys crushed Raiola and co. in a 56-7 heroic feat. Amidst this chaos, it’s time for the head coach to hang a whiteboard with a reminder.
It should read, ‘Take No One Lightly. MIND YOU, NO ONE.’ Already, Rhule and co. had to pay heavy costs for being overconfident. It did take them to great heights. Nebraska sought its revenge against Colorado, which handed them a 34-14 loss back in 2023. They also qualified for the Pinstripe Bowl, which marked their first Bowl appearance in a span of 8 years. All these only to hit a nose-dive with a 7-6 overall record. So, what’s the warning now?
Wilson Dittman highlighted, “Talking about the biggest obstacle that’s in Matt Rule’s way. From only winning six games next season to potentially being in the mix for the cultural playoff nobody’s talking about this.” Long story short, if Matt Rhule’s Nebraska is to win six games, they must ensure winning ALL SIX OF THEM. There is no room for any compromise here. They even need to be their best version against programs like Northwestern and Minnesota. From the transfer portal to depth chart chaos, Rhule’s got his hands full.
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