There are two big measuring sticks for success in college football. First, your win loss record. Second, the number of players you have selected in the NFL draft. It’s no secret that the Nebraska Cornhuskers are struggling at both, and we witnessed it again this past weekend.
The battle for dominance continued between the Big Ten and the SEC at the NFL draft. In 14 of the last 15 drafts the SEC has led all conferences in first round picks. However, that ended this year. The Big Ten has won the last three national championships and has now taken over the NFL draft as 10 of the 32 first round picks were Big Ten players. Indiana’s Heisman winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick and Ohio State topped all schools with 11 total players selected. Still, the SEC had the most players selected overall for the 20th straight year.
Putting all of it in perspective for Nebraska fans, the Huskers had one player selected, running back Emmett Johnson was the 161st pick. The last Nebraska running back selected before Johnson, Ameer Abdullah, who was the 54th pick overall in 2015. To put things in greater perspective, the Cornhuskers have only had 16 total picks in the last ten drafts while Iowa has had 43. Iowa had 3 offensive linemen taken in the first four rounds of this year’s draft. Nebraska has only had 6 offensive linemen taken higher than the fourth round since 1984. Other Big Ten schools with a single player selected, Rutgers, Maryland, and Minnesota. So how telling is a single player, the Naval Academy had two players selected. Meanwhile the Cody Campbell effect at Texas Tech saw the Red Raiders qualify for the CFP and had 9 players selected in the draft.
It all points to Nebraska’s lack of talent and explains their record over the last 9 seasons, 42-64. Nebraska must be better at recruiting if they want to get back to winning. The talent level has improved under Matt Rhule, but the Huskers still aren’t close to the same level as Ohio State and Alabama.
Earlier this week Matt Rhule appeared on ‘Hurrdat Sports Live’ with Damon Benning and mentioned he and his team were sick of hearing people talk about the 2026 schedule and how difficult it was. He said he was using the schedule as a recruiting tool, telling players that if they wanted to compete against the very best like Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and Indiana, then they needed to come play for him at Nebraska. I agree with Rhule, to be the best you must compete against the best. But for Rhule, he’s kind of talking out of both sides of his mouth. He seemed more than willing to drop the series against Tennessee, explaining that such games could keep a team out of the CFP. It sounds like he’s okay with playing the best in his conference because he can’t get out of those games, but he isn’t willing to take on all comers. Sorry coach, that isn’t the Nebraska way.
In doing research for a new project I recently ran across an article from November of 1970 when head coach Bob Devaney announced Nebraska would be playing a home and home series against LSU in 1975-76. “This series will add a great deal to our fine football program,” said Devaney. “We try to play the best possible football each fall, and we want to meet the best possible opponents. We certainly have scheduled a school with great football tradition like Nebraska when we get LSU.”
Nebraska has always perused excellence, but you need top-tier talent to do that. Shying away from top competition won’t make you a winner. Rhule knows that and it’s why he tries to give the impression of embracing his Big Ten schedule. For now, Rhule is the head coach of a Nebraska team that is in the middle of the pack of the 18 team Big Ten. If he wants to start competing for Big Ten Championships he’ll need to recruit better, develop better depth, and win games. Winning solves everything. Even $600 million stadium rebuilds.
Look for my next article ‘Big Swings, Big Misses’ for more on Nebraska recruiting.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST VIOLENT!!
Photo courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home – Falls City Journal – Falls City, NE
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