Nebraska’s Quarterback Future Is Clear: Mobility Matters More Than Labels
Matt Rhule didn’t waste any time getting to the heart of Nebraska’s offensive direction during Friday’s press conference. While much of the early buzz around new offensive line coach Geep Wade centered on fixing the pass protection, Rhule made it clear there’s more to the hire than just shoring up the trenches. Specifically, he’s looking to inject more quarterback run-game concepts into the Huskers’ red zone offense - and that starts with the kind of quarterbacks they’re targeting.
“The red zone really hurt us this year,” Rhule said. “And so the ability to add different run game, especially quarterback run counter, is a great answer for that.”
That’s not just coach-speak. It’s a window into the evolving identity of Nebraska football - one that values quarterbacks who can extend plays and move the chains with their legs, not just their arms.
Mobility, Not Just Dual-Threat
When asked directly if the Huskers would be focusing on dual-threat quarterbacks in recruiting - both from high school and the transfer portal - Rhule clarified his stance with a subtle but important distinction.
“I wouldn’t say even necessarily dual-threat as much as I would say mobility,” he said.
That might sound like splitting hairs, but it’s a crucial difference. Dual-threat is a recruiting label, often slapped on high school quarterbacks who rack up rushing yards in spread systems. But mobility is about in-game functionality - the ability to evade pressure, extend plays, and pick up first downs when the pocket breaks down.
Take T.J. Lateef, for example.
He’s not a prototypical dual-threat quarterback. In high school, he was labeled a pro-style QB and ran for just 250 yards across his final two seasons.
But he showed flashes of mobility this past season, especially in limited action against Akron and Houston Christian. That’s the kind of functional athleticism Rhule is looking for - not necessarily a runner first, but a quarterback who can move when it matters.
Reading Between the Lines
Rhule dropped a few names that give us insight into the kind of quarterbacks he admires - and the direction Nebraska is heading. He mentioned Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, and Haynes King - all quarterbacks who brought mobility to the table in different ways.
Pavia is the classic dual-threat. He threw for over 3,000 yards and led his team in rushing with 823.
King? Same story - 2,700 passing yards and 922 on the ground.
Mendoza, this year’s Heisman winner, is more of a “mobile” quarterback in the Rhule mold. He’s not a run-first guy, but he rushed for 343 yards at nearly seven yards a carry and made a habit of extending plays with his legs.
The common thread? They can all make plays - with their arms and their feet. And that’s what Rhule wants.
“I want playmakers,” he said. “I don’t care about their ranking.
I don’t care about their arm slot. I don’t care about the rotation.
I don’t care about any of that. I want guys who make their team win.
I want guys who put championships on the wall… and part of that’s making plays with your legs.”
A Changing Quarterback Room
The writing had been on the wall even before the recent wave of quarterback departures. Dylan Raiola’s decommitment and news of his portal entry seemed to signal a mutual parting.
Then came the announcement that redshirt freshman Marcos Davila - a 6’2”, 230-pound pocket passer - would also be transferring. That leaves T.J.
Lateef as the lone scholarship quarterback on the roster once Jalyn Gramstad’s eligibility expires on December 31st. Only 2027 commit Trae Taylor is currently in the pipeline.
So yes, quarterback recruiting just became priority No. 1.
The Huskers will need at least one transfer portal addition and likely a 2026 high school commitment to stabilize the room. And based on Rhule’s comments, those quarterbacks will need to check a specific box: mobility.
Why It Matters in the Big Ten
Rhule’s emphasis on mobility isn’t just about offensive creativity - it’s about survival in the Big Ten. He referenced the kind of defensive lines Nebraska faces in the conference and how weather, wind, and pressure can shrink the margin for error in the passing game. A quarterback who can move gives you a counterpunch.
It’s something Nebraska experienced firsthand this season. In the opener against Cincinnati, Brendan Sorsby - a quarterback who’s not exactly Lamar Jackson but can move - ran for 92 yards and nearly pulled off the upset with his dual-threat capabilities. That kind of performance tends to stick with a coaching staff.
Sorsby, by the way, is now in the portal. But Nebraska may already be out of the running, with rumors pointing to Texas Tech as his likely landing spot. Still, the portal is loaded with quarterbacks, and Nebraska has reportedly freed up $3.5 million in NIL resources to go after their guy.
The Osborne Blueprint
Rhule also dropped a nugget that longtime Huskers fans will appreciate. He said that from day one, legendary coach Tom Osborne told him: “You better have a quarterback who can run the football.”
That’s not just nostalgia - it’s a reminder that Nebraska’s DNA has always included quarterbacks who could hurt defenses with their legs. From Turner Gill to Tommie Frazier to Eric Crouch, the Huskers have historically been at their best when the quarterback was a threat in the run game.
It’s clear Rhule is ready to lean into that tradition - not by chasing labels, but by finding quarterbacks who can win games in multiple ways.
What Comes Next
With the transfer portal wide open and the Huskers’ quarterback room in flux, the next few weeks will be critical. Nebraska needs to land a quarterback who fits the new mold - mobile, poised, and capable of making plays when things break down.
Rhule and new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen know what they’re looking for. The question now is who fits that profile and wants to be part of what Nebraska is building.
One thing’s for sure: the days of pure pocket passers in Lincoln are on hold. The Huskers are going mobile - and they’re not looking back.