Nebraska football saw its first major shakeup in the transfer portal on Friday, as veteran defensive back Malcolm Hartzog officially announced his departure from the program.
Hartzog, a 5-foot-9 playmaker out of Mississippi, has been a fixture in the Huskers’ secondary since his arrival. Over the course of his career, he started 32 games, racked up eight interceptions, and broke up 16 passes - numbers that speak to both his consistency and his knack for being around the football.
Hartzog made an immediate impact as a freshman, delivering one of those highlight-reel moments that sticks with fans: scooping up a blocked punt and taking it to the house for a touchdown. That season, he also notched three interceptions and earned eight starts, flashing the ball skills and instincts that made him a mainstay in the defensive backfield.
In 2024, Hartzog elevated his game even further. Starting all 12 contests, he pulled down four interceptions and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors - a testament to both his production and his presence in a conference known for physical, grind-it-out football.
This past season, his role shifted. He appeared in just two games, but he still found a way to make an impact.
His lone interception came in a clutch moment - sealing a win over Cincinnati in the Kansas City Classic. It was a reminder of the kind of player Hartzog has been throughout his Nebraska career: opportunistic, reliable, and capable of delivering in the biggest moments.
With Hartzog moving on, Nebraska loses a seasoned veteran and a proven playmaker in the secondary - a position group that will now look to younger talent to step up.
Nebraska’s D-Line Coach Search Hits a Wall
Meanwhile, on the coaching front, Nebraska’s pursuit of a new defensive line coach continues to drag on, and the latest development suggests the Huskers have missed out on one of their top targets.
Elijah Robinson, one of the most sought-after D-line coaches in the country, was reportedly in play for Nebraska after being linked to LSU. There was buzz that head coach Matt Rhule had made a strong push - especially after parting ways with former defensive line coach Terry Bradden last week. That move sparked speculation that Robinson’s hire might be imminent.
But according to reports, Robinson is headed to Texas A&M instead, leaving Nebraska still in search mode.
This isn’t just a minor staff vacancy. In today’s game, the offensive and defensive line coaches are arguably the most critical assistants on a team outside of the coordinators. And for Nebraska - a program that’s struggled to consistently control the trenches over the past three seasons - this hire is especially pivotal.
Rhule still has options, and there’s time to make the right call. But as the offseason continues, the need to solidify the coaching staff - particularly in the trenches - becomes more urgent by the day.