Nebraska’s fall picture is starting to come into focus, and the biggest thing to know is that the roster overhaul appears to have done exactly what it was supposed to do: change the math in a hurry.
The Huskers brought in 16 transfers, and 13 of them are expected to be starters. That’s a major hit rate, especially with so many of the newcomers landing on the defensive side of the ball.
The investment was obvious, and so was the need. Nebraska’s defense had to be rebuilt after the final three games of the 2026 season, when the unit, in the source’s words, “couldn’t close an umbrella with both hands, let alone block runners in or out of the red zone.”
One transfer not projected to start is quarterback Danny Kaelin, who is back at Nebraska after limited playing time at Virginia. That helps explain why the top quarterback transfer money went to Anthony Colandrea, one of the 16 additions. At quarterback behind the starter, the read is that TJ Lateef has an edge over Kaelin, though that may be influenced by the fact that Lateef was QB1 for a stretch last season.
There are also some roster rules shifting around the conference. The B1G Ten recently put in a rule that says a player can’t sign an NFL contract and then return to a college roster in the league.
The source calls that “stupid,” arguing it’s unfair to remove a current young player from a college roster for someone who couldn’t make it at the next level. The change was sparked after Lane Kiffin at LSU brought back players into the SEC, including Dae’Quan Wright, but the source chalks that up to “Lane doing Lane things.”
On the defensive front, linebacker Will Hawthorne of Iowa State is the 15th player on the shopping list, though he likely won’t be starting. That room has been strengthened by Owen Chambliss, who has been named to the Butkus Award watch list and is working at the WILL spot, and Dexter Foster of Oregon State, who is in the MIKE role and competing with Vincent Shavers for the starting job. Dawson Merrit is back after a 2026 injury, and sophomore local product Christian Jones is also drawing attention in the group.
The 16th and final transfer named is safety Jasin Shiggs of Towson. He also isn’t expected to crack the starting lineup right away, with Andrew Marshall and senior Jamie Conn already in front of him at safety.
Dwayne McDougle of South Dakota State could have an early edge because he already knows DC Aurich’s system. The defensive backfield also includes Danny Odem at corner, Mario Buford at both safety and corner, and Donovan Jones, listed as a corner but capable of playing both.
Jones was named to the Weurffel Trophy watch list and missed the spring game because he became a daddy.
Nebraska also said single numbers are coming soon, according to HC Matt Rhule. Captains may or may not happen, but there will always be single-game captains.
Blackshirts? The source leaves that one hanging with a simple: who knows.
And for the tailgate crowd, there’s a little off-field life in the mix too. The source says recipe testing is underway for the first Nebraska tailgate, with nephews and office people serving as guinea pigs.
The coolers, canopies and invite lists are all part of the build-up now. The message at the end is the same as ever: GO BIG RED!
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