Nebraska Misses on Tanner Vibabul as Late Push from JMU Shakes Up Huskers’ QB Plans
Nebraska landed a big win on National Signing Day with the addition of Dylan Berymon, but the celebration came with a notable loss. Quarterback Tanner Vibabul, a late addition to the Huskers’ 2026 recruiting class, flipped his commitment and is now headed to James Madison. It’s a blow that doesn’t derail Nebraska’s quarterback plans entirely, but it certainly complicates them.
Let’s unpack what happened - and what it means for the Huskers moving forward.
A Quick Turnaround and a Sudden Departure
Vibabul’s recruitment was a whirlwind. The Las Vegas dual-threat quarterback committed to Nebraska shortly after Dayton Raiola decommitted - the second of three Raiolas to exit the program before Dylan Raiola transferred to Oregon. Vibabul’s commitment came too late for the December early signing period, but all signs pointed to him officially signing with Nebraska on Wednesday.
Then James Madison entered the picture.
According to reports, JMU made a strong late push, offering a package that included revenue-sharing and NIL opportunities. Nebraska, by contrast, was offering a traditional full-ride scholarship - no frills, just football. That difference turned out to be a game-changer.
Vibabul chose the Dukes, one of the most recent Group of 6 programs to earn a College Football Playoff berth, and Nebraska was left without a quarterback signee in the 2026 class.
Why the Flip Makes Sense for Vibabul
From Vibabul’s perspective, the decision checks out. He’s a dual-threat quarterback, and while Nebraska likely pitched him on the idea of fitting into a system tailored to his skill set, the path to playing time in Lincoln looked crowded.
The Huskers already have Anthony Colandrea, TJ Lateef, and Daniel Kaelin on scholarship. And with Trae Taylor - a highly regarded quarterback - set to arrive in 2027, Vibabul may have seen his chances of meaningful reps dwindle before they even began.
At JMU, the opportunity is clearer. The Dukes are building something real, and the offer on the table wasn’t just about playing time - it was about financial investment in his future. For a player trying to carve out a path in an increasingly competitive college football landscape, that kind of support matters.
What It Means for Nebraska’s QB Room
Let’s be clear: losing Vibabul doesn’t cripple Nebraska’s quarterback depth, but it does thin the room. With just three scholarship quarterbacks - Colandrea, Lateef, and Kaelin - the Huskers are one injury or transfer away from a precarious situation.
Still, there’s no indication that Nebraska is planning to add another quarterback before the February signing period wraps up. That suggests head coach Matt Rhule and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas are comfortable with where things stand - or at least willing to ride it out until the next recruiting cycle.
It’s also possible the staff is betting big on internal development. Colandrea and Kaelin have shown flashes, and Lateef brings intriguing upside. If one of them takes a leap this offseason, the loss of Vibabul could fade into the background.
The Bigger Picture
Quarterback recruiting is rarely smooth, and Nebraska’s recent run has been anything but. With the Raiola saga now fully in the rearview and Vibabul opting for JMU, the Huskers are left to regroup and look ahead.
The good news? They’ve still added talent in this cycle, and the foundation of the quarterback room remains intact.
The bad news? They missed on a player who, at one point, seemed like a potential fit for their evolving offense.
For now, the focus shifts to development, depth, and - maybe more than anything - keeping the current group healthy and engaged. Because while losing Vibabul isn’t a season-defining moment, it’s a reminder that in today’s college football, nothing is guaranteed until the ink is dry - and sometimes, not even then.