The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ pursuit for prosperity is unwavering. Year 2 of the Matt Rhule era entailed more of the same- moments of greatness and moments of growth. Their trajectory did remain an upwards 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 make up this slim deficit and get this blueblood back to its pedestal, help may be on its way. Not in ones or twos either- but in fives!
Not that they needed reminding, but Philly’s Super Bowl reinforced a perpetual stereotype about the sport to the entirety of the football sphere. That the game is won and lost in the trenches. Win your assignment at the line of scrimmage, and you shall prevail in the war for supremacy. The MVP went to Jalen Hurts, but the key to the Eagles’ triumph was their defensive line. Their pass rushers, in particular. Matt Rhule recognizes the importance of the position in the modern game, where QBs can’t be afforded time in the pocket. He’s eyeing up as many as 5 edge rushers from the class of ‘26. They’re all pretty similar in quality, somewhat dispersed in style and build, but really varied in terms of the likelihood of landing with the Huskers.
Over the Wilson Dittman Sports YouTube channel, the namesake host relayed his thoughts on 5 EDGE prospects Nebraska is eyeing. First up, 4-star Luke Wafle out of New Jersey. Wafle is due for a visit to Lincoln in April, as per Dittman. Who also said 6’5, 245lb Wafle reminds him of former Husker Ty Robinson and former Ohio State Buckeye Jack Sawyer. “Nebraska’s done a good job. They just offered him in late January, and he’s already scheduled a visit. So we’re getting traction here on this one. He is a big time prospect, man. He would be a day 1, plug-and-play type of guy at that D-end spot,” remarked Dittman. Next up, a player who earned comps to Cameron Lenhardt from the Nebraska fan.
4-star McHale Blade has already been at Nebraska in February. But he’s due for an official visit soon. Dittman referred to Blade as one of Matt Rhule’s “biggest targets.” That said, the Huskers face stiff competition from B1G contemporaries in Wisconsin, among others. Being a Chicago native, staying closer to home could factor into the decision. Thirdly, high 3-star EDGE Camron Wilson earned a ton of plaudits from Dittman. He compared him to Patrick Payton, who was previously a Husker commit before flipping to LSU. “So athletic, man. The swim move…[Wilson] jumps off the line of scrimmage very, very quickly. He’s a physical tackler. Not very big [at] only 210 pounds but those raw athletic instincts that you can’t teach, he has all of that. Really happy that Nebraska are getting involved here in this recruiting process,” he said. Next up, a literal Titan.
Chicago Simeon four-star McHale Blade visited Nebraska today and has a good relationship with their staff.
He says it won’t be his last visit there also.
(VIP) https://t.co/6ciqRv5Zn4 pic.twitter.com/hqv2N6XePs
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) February 2, 2025
He “plays like Chase Young, looks like Chase Young,” said Wilson Dittman about Titan Davis. Another 4-star prospect, David, was assessed as someone who “Fits this defensive line to a T…fits the 3-3-5.” and has “NFL upside written all over him.” Titan Davis is due to visit Nebraska on March 28th, right at the outset of their spring camp. Matt Rhule sure would seek to leave a good impression on the 6’5, 238lb St. Louis native. A frame that looks dwarfish compared to the 5th EDGE target on coach Rhule’s radar.
4-star Valdin Sone only began playing football relatively recently after coming across the Atlantic from Sweden. However, the 6’3, 320lb beast is already a highly-touted player. The Huskers extended him a scholarship offer in January, and he was on campus in February. Goes without saying adding someone who’s made strides so quickly after taking up the sport has a really high upside.
Matt Rhule or the Huskers’ faithful aren’t going to be deluded into thinking they’ll land all five. But a couple of them joining the Big Red really could bolster their ranks. With QB Dylan Raiola spearheading the offense, the other side of the football needs to complement them to the requisite level. This upcoming wave of OVs will be a line in the sand for Rhule’s project and where it’s headed. Alas, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Coach Rhule’s efforts to add depth and quality to his roster are verging on being undercut by an exodus.
Matt Rhule may be standing on the precipice of some depth issues with his roster
College Football is a carousel. It’s cyclic how players hop on and off, with freshmen taking over from departing graduates and NFL prospects. That said, the advent of the transfer portal has fanned the flames of this reality. Coaches like Matt Rhule now have to deal with the incessant threat of players leaving at different junctures of the year. Spring practice is a litmus test for second and third-string players to know whether they’ll be a part of the plans come fall or should they take their talents elsewhere. Despite being a huge proponent- even a flag bearer- for the cancellation of spring games, Rhule perhaps wouldn’t be able to stop his players jumping into the imminent portal window.
The aforementioned Wilson Dittman, during a different video on his channel, mentioned that he won’t be shocked about leaving if they don’t see enough opportunity during spring camp. “Kwinten Ives, Janiran Bonner, Demitrius Bell. Demetrius Bell’s out, but I could see him transfer if he’s saying, ‘Hey, I’m not a top-five receiver on the depth chart, might go play somewhere else,’” he said. Dittman also named others who could be out the door. “Guys like D’Andre Barnes, Brice Turner, and Jaidyn Doss. On the D-line, Ashton Murphy and Mason Goldman—players we just never hear nuggets about. They’re never shining in practice.” A trifecta of veterans are also on portal watch. Potentially taking with them the experience Coach Rhule could do with.
“Tyler Knaak, Gage Stenger, and Malcolm Hartzog. Those are the veteran guys who I could see transferring just because they don’t have much eligibility left. If they’re buried in the depth chart, they might go.” remarked Wilson Dittman. There’s a lot going on out in Lincoln. Add to the mix the misadventures of Dylan Raiola this offseason. Fans can look forward to some potential incomings but also need to be wary of key outgoings. The make-up of Matt Rhule’s roster heading into Year 3 and beyond will become a lot more conspicuous once he rides out the spring portal. Which he’s not a fan of, by his own admission, owing to its facilitation of tampering.
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