Matt Rhule understands the stakes in Lincoln - and he’s not shying away from them. As the head coach of Nebraska football, Rhule knows that building a competitive roster isn’t just about assembling talent.
It’s about constructing a team that can withstand the grind of Big Ten football and deliver results on Saturdays. And he’s attacking that challenge with a clear, pragmatic approach: use every tool available - from high school recruiting to the transfer portal - to put the best team on the field.
“This is Nebraska. That means something,” Rhule said on the Huskers Radio Network, a statement that wasn’t just about nostalgia - it was a reminder of the standard he’s chasing.
The Cornhuskers haven’t been a national power in quite some time, but the expectation remains: win, and win big. Rhule is embracing that pressure, not running from it.
A Two-Lane Recruiting Highway
Rhule’s philosophy is straightforward: build the most competitive team possible. But getting there isn’t so simple - especially at a place like Nebraska, where the local recruiting pool doesn’t overflow with Power Four-caliber talent. That means Rhule and his staff have to cast a wide net, reaching into talent-rich states like Texas, Florida, and California, while also mining the upper Midwest for hidden gems.
Take Emmett Johnson, for example. A former top prospect out of Minnesota, Johnson didn’t arrive on campus as a surefire star.
But through development and persistence, he became the Big Ten’s Running Back of the Year - a rare success story in today’s college football landscape, where patience is often in short supply. Rhule sees Johnson as proof that development still matters, even in an era dominated by the transfer portal.
Still, the reality is that players like Johnson are the exception, not the rule. That’s why Rhule isn’t putting all his eggs in the high school basket. He’s also leaning into the portal - hard.
The Portal Plan
Rhule knows that roster turnover is inevitable, especially with high-profile players like Dylan Raiola deciding to leave. That’s where the transfer portal becomes a lifeline.
It’s not about chasing names - it’s about finding the right fits. Guys like wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (from Cal) and cornerback Ceyair Wright (from USC) fit that mold: experienced, talented, and ready to contribute right away.
“We’ll develop our own,” Rhule said, “but we’re also going to attack the portal when it opens to get the right couple of guys that can get us over the hump.”
It’s a delicate balance. Build a foundation through recruiting, but don’t hesitate to plug holes with seasoned players who can raise the floor - and maybe the ceiling - of the program.
Winning Solves Everything
Let’s be real: fans in Lincoln want wins. They want to see Nebraska back in the national conversation.
And most of them don’t care if that success comes from homegrown recruits or a roster full of transfers. If Rhule builds a squad that makes the expanded College Football Playoff, no one’s going to be asking whether it was built “the right way.”
But if the wins don’t come? That’s when the questions start.
Is there too much reliance on the portal? Why aren’t more local kids breaking through?
It’s a familiar cycle - one that every coach outside the playoff picture has to navigate.
Rhule’s job is to get ahead of that cycle. To build a roster that can not only compete in the Big Ten, but win in it. That means evaluating, recruiting, developing, and adapting - all while keeping the locker room aligned and the fan base believing.
It’s not easy. But Rhule didn’t come to Nebraska for easy.
He came to restore a program with one of the richest traditions in college football. And if his blueprint holds, the wins - and the respect - will follow.