Kwazi Gilmer's transition from UCLA to Nebraska has been nothing short of eye-opening, and his first press conference as a Cornhusker offered plenty of insight into why he's so enthusiastic about his new team. His humorous take on Nebraska's unpredictable weather might have grabbed headlines, but it was his reflections on the Huskers' unique culture that truly resonated.
"When I saw Lincoln, my eyes just opened," Gilmer shared. "The culture up here is amazing.
Everyone sticks together. We’re all brothers, and it’s just all we’ve got is football up here.
That was one of the main reasons why I came here - to be fully committed to football."
Gilmer's admiration isn't limited to the team's camaraderie. The dedication of Nebraska's fanbase left a lasting impression on him, especially recalling his visit to Lincoln when the Bruins played there during his freshman year.
"It was fun, I’m not going to lie. Just seeing the crowd was incredible.
My freshman year we played at LSU, but coming up here, it was a whole different environment. Crazy fans, I remember being at the hotel at 6:00 in the morning, just flooded.
We don’t get that back in East LA. It’s dope here."
Beyond the atmosphere, Gilmer highlighted the strategic differences between Nebraska and UCLA. He noted that at UCLA, when a play broke down, his role shifted to blocking. But with Nebraska's new quarterback, Anthony Colandrea, the receivers are encouraged to find ways to get open.
"At UCLA, it was once the quarterback scrambles, just ‘go run block,’" he explained. "When it’s with Anthony, it’s ‘go get open.’ He gives us a whole other drive."
The playcalling under Nebraska's offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen also stands out to Gilmer, especially compared to his experience with former UCLA OC Eric Bieniemy. "I remember one play was 22 words," he recalled, hinting at the complexity and creativity involved.
Gilmer brings his experience and skills from UCLA to Nebraska, adding depth to the Huskers' receiving corps. Last season, he hauled in 50 catches for 535 yards and four touchdowns, and he's poised to elevate his game even further in 2026.