Being a college football fan, I don’t just follow my favorite team, but a little of everything across the college football landscape. Whether it’s the Big Ten, SEC, or the FCS, there are always great games to watch or stories of interest. And just like I have thoughts and opinions on my Huskers, I have thoughts about other teams as well. Today’s Kernels include Husker coaches, recruits visiting the Nebraska – Michigan game, and the transfer portal.
A Defensive Staff All on the Same Page
This week Nebraska DC John Butler talked about his being able to coach the defensive backs the way he wants to coach them as opposed to last season. Saying that, Butler validated what most of us believed all along, last season he and Tony White didn’t mesh systematically with how the front six were playing and how the back five should cover. That became painfully evident in the UCLA game last season when the defense couldn’t get off the field. Rhule didn’t like what he was seeing and pushed for change, wanting more pressure on the QB and man to man coverage on the back end. It took Butler becoming the DC to move things in that direction.
People can say what they want about White leaving for Florida State, but I think White was unreceptive to changing his 3-3-5 scheme and decided it was in his best interest to go someplace where he could do things his way. Taking Terrance Knighton with him and reuniting with Evan Cooper at Florida State gave him that opportunity.
Butler suggested things are much better this season running a scheme that works with the entire defense. The addition of defensive back coach Addison Williams and Associate HC Phil Snow was vital in making that change and you will see a much more aggressive group of Blackshirts because of it.
More at Stake than just a Win
Nebraska’s opening game of the Big Ten season against Michigan is getting national attention. It’s a big game for both schools and with Nebraska making the game a massive recruiting event there is more at stake than just getting a ‘W’. Nebraska isn’t shying away from creating a recruiting showcase as it provides an ideal opportunity to impress recruits and convince them Nebraska is the place to be. The only thing that has kept Nebraska from signing top recruits up to this point is wins.
The Huskers have invited close to 50 recruits to the game. Many are top tier guys who are coming off visits to other schools like Georgia and LSU. Multiple recruits are repeat visitors from the summer, and while they are aware of how Nebraskans feel about football, this visit will show them what Saturday in Nebraska is all about.
12 to 14 guys ranked inside the top 200 nationally are scheduled to be on campus. Some are five-stars and listed among the top thirty players. All the 2026 recruits will be here, and all three 2027 commits, QB Trae Taylor, DB Tory Pittman, and OL Matt Erickson will also be here peer recruiting. While the list changes daily, those expected to visit are listed below.
2026 Nebraska Commits Visiting
Danny Odem, CB 6’2” 180, 4-Star
Claude Mpouma, OT 6’7” 308, 4-Star
Luke Sorenson, TE 6’4” 245 3-Star
Nalin Scott, WR 6’1” 200, 3-Star
Leon Noil Jr., IOL 6’4” 255, 3-Star
Larry Miles, WR 5’10” 170, 3-Star
Hayden Ainsworth, IOL 6’5” 305,3-Star
Dveyoun Bonwell-Witte, WR 6’1” 190, 3-Star
Jase Reynolds, LB 6’1” 206, 3-Star
Jamal Rule, RB 6’0” 205, 3-Star
Dayton Raiola, QB 6’1” 205, 3-Star
Rex Waterman, OT 6’5” 295 3-Star
2026 Potential Flips Visiting
Kamron Wilson, Edge 6’5” 210, 3-Star, Syracuse
Julian Walker, DT 6’6” 252, 4-Star, Michigan
Devin Jackson, S 6’2” 195, 4-Star, Oregon
Tedarius Hughes S 6’2” 170, 3-Star, Florida State
2027 Nebraska Commits Visiting
Trae Taylor, QB 6’3” 186, 4-Star
Tory Pittman III, ATH 6’0” 185,4-Star
Matt Erickson, OT 6’8” 280, 3-Star
2027 Recruits Visiting
Bryson Brown DB 5’10” 175, 4-Star
Ahmad Hudson, TE 6’6” 230, 5-Star
Kennedy Brown, 6’4” 280, 5-Star
JuJu Johnson, CB 5’11” 170, 4-Star
Duvay Williams, CB 6’1” 170, 4-Star
Kylonn Haynie, RB 5’10” 200,NR
Kamarui Dorsey, LB 6’3” 200, 4-Star
Kennedy Green, S 6’2” 195, 3-Star
Corey Hadley Jr., S 6’1” 180, 3-Star
Matthew Gregory, WR 6’1” 170, 4-Star
Mason Halliman, IOL 6’5” 280, 3-Star
Jackson Roper, IOL 6’5” 285, 3-Star
Will Slagle, IOL 6’4” 280, 4-Star
Justyn Lindsay, WR 6’3” 175, NR
Jamar Thompson, DL 6’3” 305, 4-Star
Josh Johnson, DL 6’4” 260, NR
Lukas Rhoa, IOL 6’5” 305, 4-Star
Kobe Rhymes LB 6’1” 220, 3-Star
Isaiah Rogers, RB 5’10” 180, 4-Star
Zykee Scott, LB 6’1” 220, 3-Star
Semaj Stanford, S 5’11” 180, 4-Star
Brody Pfannenstiel, DE 6’4” 245, NR
2028 Recruits Visiting
Jevyn Severson, TE 6’5” 230, 4-Star
Declan Heying, OT 6’5” 270, NR
Marcus Fakatou, DL, 6’6” 275, 4-Star
Carter Barrett OT, 6’6” 288, 4-Star
It’s a big weekend and there are names listed here that would put Nebraska at the top of the 2027 rankings if they were to sign them. A win against Michigan would go a long way in making that happen. With a convincing win, who knows what could be possible.
UCLA Opens the Portal Door
The firing of Desan Foster at UCLA allows players who have committed to the program to look elsewhere. There were a couple of defensive lineman Nebraska looked at early on who may decommit from UCLA. Defensive linemen are still a priority for Nebraska after missing out on Titan Davis and Valdin Sone. Will Marcus Alemeda a 6’4” 280lb 3-Star and Carter Gooden, a 6’4” 260lb 4-Star, who are both from Tabor Academy in Marion, MA give the Huskers consideration. A win over Michigan could make the Huskers more attractive.
Also, Foster’s dismissal allows Nico Iamaleava to redshirt this season and re-enter the transfer portal if desired. NCAA rules allow a player to play in four games and still redshirt. Iamelava has only played three games thus far. One would have to think Nico has kept track of how things are going for Joey Aguilar at Tennessee. Does it sting just enough for him to decide he can do better elsewhere. It’s something to watch for.
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