The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team has undergone a significant restructuring under the head coach Matt Rhule since taking over the Big Red in 2022. Rhule and his team made headlines and made a real difference. Nebraska’s defense and offense (still developing) received big reinforcements under coach Rhule. The Huskers football team ranked among the top 15 teams in the nation in rushing defense, rushing offense, total defense and scoring defense. The special teams also did quite well, securing second place nationally with four blocked kicks. The coaching staff’s efforts bore fruit, as no fewer than 10 Huskers earned All-Big Ten honors, seven of which were first-time honors. Rhule has let the football world know that he has put the Big Red on the right path and is preparing the Huskers for even bigger things in the days to come.

With Rhule in the front row, Nebraska 2023 was on a roll. The Huskers finished last season with a record of 5-7. And that’s the best record the Huskers have (equaled) in seven seasons! Rhule left his mark in the Big Ten, leading Nebraska to three West Division wins – matching their total from the last three seasons combined. Although the offense fumbled a bit, the defense gave quite a bit with a lot of young players on board. But here’s some good news for Big Red fans. For the first time in 22 years, Nebraska went undefeated in October. That’s a pretty nice accomplishment for the Huskers after all! In his recent interviews, Rhule has given fans insight into the development at Nebraska.

The Big Red are in the safe hands of coach Matt Rhule

There’s no denying that Rhule’s 2024 recruiting class has really set the bar high. The 27-man roster and six transfers nabbed the No. 24 spot nationally, according to the On3 industry average. In a meeting before the fall season, Rhule shared some important updates. Rhule started by shouting out some of Nebraska’s recent graduates: Teddy Prohaska, Braden Clover, Keegan Menning and Niles Paul. Congratulations to all of them! It’s always cool to see players reach milestones beyond the field. Rhule seemed excited about Niles Paul’s return to complete his degree, proving that “Hey, even coaches appreciate a little academic effort!”

But it is not all sunshine and roses for the Huskers, as Rhule also shared some tough news about Javin Wright. Wright is out indefinitely due to health issues. While Rhule didn’t go into detail, he stressed that Javin’s recovery is a priority and the team is working on it. The middle linebacker’s absence is a blow, but roster depth means the Huskers have options.

Mikai Gbayor, Stefon Thompson, Vincent Shaversand others are ready to give their best and keep the defense strong. Everyone is waiting impatiently for Rhule to announce the name of the starting quarterback, but the wait seems to be over, as the head coach has announced that he will make his decision public this week. The competition is fierce, and a trio of contenders are showing they can lead. Rhule mentioned that while they have all worked hard, it is about who stands out in the decisive moments. Whether it is Dylan Raiola or any other name, the battle in Camp Nebraska is coming to a head and the excitement is palpable.

Preparations for 2025 have already begun

So, looking at the 120-man preseason roster, it’s clear that the team’s priorities will shift with the 2025 recruiting class. The next class likely won’t be as big as the last, but the groundwork is already being laid.

During their spring game in May, Nebraska rolled out the red carpet for over two dozen 2025 recruits. Among them were the state’s top two players: Christian Jones, a linebacker from Omaha Westside, and Chase Loftin, a tight end from Millard South. Both are four-star talents and their commitments are still uncertain. And by the time May came, the Huskers had already committed seven players. Four of Nebraska’s top eight prospects chose to stay with the home team. We have Tyson Terry, a defensive lineman from Omaha North; Caden VerMaas, a defensive back from Millard North; Conor Booth, a running back from Wahoo Neumann; and Jackson Carpenter, a wide receiver from Lincoln Southwest.

Nebraska also welcomed some serious talent as visitors, including five-star athlete Michael Terry from San Antonio and four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt from Overland Park, Kansas. Other visitors included Cortez Mills, a four-star wide receiver from Homestead, Florida, and Alai Kalaniuvalu, a four-star offensive lineman from Las Vegas. They also had four-star quarterback TJ Lateef from Orange, California, wide receiver Emmanuel Choice from Lancaster, Texas, and defensive back Antonio Branch from Miami. Rounding out the team was three-star offensive lineman John Mills from San Francisco. With the 2024 season about to begin, it’s fair to say Nebraska’s football glory days are not far behind.