Matt Rhule held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the signing of the 2026 class. The class seems small considering there are schools out there that signed twenty plus players. But you need to stop and remember how young Nebraska’s team is. The Huskers have almost 40 players who are sophomores or younger. With only 19 players leaving through graduation and not yet knowing for sure how many you will lose off your 105-man roster through the portal, it only allows Nebraska to add 20 players or so. Which adds up to 10 high school commitments and 10 to 12 experienced portal players.
Rhule emphasized that Nebraska concentrated on its needs when recruiting by targeting players that can make an immediate impact. Four of those guys are defensive back Danny Odem, wide receiver Nalin Scott, tight end Luke Sorenson, and running back Jamal Rule. The surprise of the class was a last-minute addition of another kicker from Australia’s ProKick. When asked about the addition Rhule said special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler liked competition, and you can never have too many good kickers. The class includes the players listed below.
DB – Danny Odem 6’2” 200lbs, 5-Star
OT – Claude Mpouma 6’7” 308lbs, 4-Star
RB – Jamal Rule 6’0” 205lbs, 3-Star
WR – Nalin Scott 6’1” 200lbs, 3-Star
WR – Larry Miles 5’11” 170lbs, 3-Star
TE – Luke Sorenson 6’4” 245lbs, 3-Star
OT – Rex Waterman 6’5” 295lbs, 3-Star
IOL – Hayden Ainsworth 6’5” 295lbs, 3-Star
LB – Jase Reynolds 6’2” 206lbs, 3-Star
K – Michael Sarikizis 5’10” 190lbs, NR
Claude Mpouma was highly sought after and is said to be a gifted athlete for his size. But like most offensive lineman will need development before seeing playing time. Jase Reynolds is the only in-state recruit in this cycle. The class doesn’t rank well nationally or in the Big Ten, but we’ve seen players have great success without being highly ranked. This is a good group of players.
Targets in the portal are possibly one each at the QB, RB, WR, and TE positions. They could also use at least one linebacker and one Jack linebacker. But the focus will be bolstering both the defensive and offensive lines. A minimum of two guys on each side of the ball is needed there. When talking competition, STC Mike Ekeler may also look to bring in another long snapper.
Development of some of the younger players hasn’t happened as quickly as desired and this holds true for several positions. Again, this is a young team, but according to Rhule Wednesday, it’s not about schemes, it’s about getting players to compete and play hard. The lack of intensity we saw on the field this year is concerning. And it was that lack of intensity that led more to the firing of DC John Butler than perhaps anything else. But it was interesting that Rhule almost seemed heated when talking about his expectations.
“It’s easy to put it on the players. Do not put it on the players. Don’t ever tell me the players aren’t good enough. Don’t ever tell me that…I want a coordinator that gets 11 guys to play as one.”
He didn’t come out and say it, but it almost sounded as if there had been words between him and Butler as he mentioned their personalities don’t mesh. The new defensive coordinator, whoever it is, will need to have more fire and be someone who players can rally behind. Like Bo Pelini’s players, who were willing to run through a brick wall for him.
Now the question becomes, will there be other changes in the staff with a new DC. How important is it that Rhule retains assistant coaches to maintain players and recruits. On defense, I anticipated keeping Addison Willimas as a must, and Rhule validated that in his press conference. He also suggested that retaining Williams was vital in keeping Danny Odem locked in. I’m sure the same holds true for 2027 DB Tory Pittman. On top of it all, we saw real improvement from the defensive backs this season, which Willimas must be given credit for.
After Willimas, Rhule made it sound as if the next defensive coordinator will have say on bringing in his own people. He added that Phil Snow won’t be a candidate, he’ll stay on with his same title and coach the defense for the bowl game. Rhule did mention that Snow had asked Mike Ekeler to help with the linebackers in preparing for the bowl game. Ekeler coached linebackers at Nebraska under Pelini. The linebackers struggled this season, and while Rhule wouldn’t say it, it’s hard to imagine him getting rid of Rob Dvoracek. Current linebackers Chistian Jones, Pierce Mooberry, and Vincent Shavers are here due to Dvoracek. It’s safe to say, there will be guys waiting to see what happens.
Rhule has banked on Phil Simpson with Florida recruits, how badly does he need to keep him to maintain those relationships? Simpson is a first-year college coach and coaches the Jack position. The Jacks had a disappointing season and there was clearly a drop off from Tony White. If Simpson doesn’t fit into the coaching plans, will he be satisfied with more of a recruiting consult role?
As a first-year college coach, defensive line coach Terry Bradden hasn’t yet had time to build a reputation with recruits, and we will see how his players feel about him when the portal opens. It’s hard to say where exactly the problem was on the defensive line this season. Was it Butler’s scheme, Bradden’s inexperience at the college level, or just the fact the players are so young.
It’s hard for me to imagine many changes, but then again it depends on who Rhule hires as DC. How much autonomy will he be given and like Holgorsen with Shorts, will there be some of his own guys he wants to bring in.
I don’t foresee much change in the offensive staff, I think Dana Holgorsen, Daikiel Shorts, Glenn Thomas, and EJ Barthels will all be retained. Rhule respects Holgorsen too much not to give him a second year after specifically bringing him in to improve the offense. He won’t give up on him that easily.
Shorts won’t be going anywhere because he is a Holgorsen guy and the fact that his position group was one of the most improved this season. He also has a good relationship with players and recruits.
Barthel has shown real value as a recruiter, recruiting both OT Claude Mpouma and 2027 QB Trae Taylor. You also can’t ignore what we saw from Emmett Johnson this season, it’s the kind of development Rhule always talks about. He’s also part of the reasons RB Jamal Rule, and 2027 commit Amir Brown are coming to Nebraska.
Speaking of 2027 QB commit Trae Taylor, he is high on Glenn Thomas and Dana Holgorsen, and Dylan Raiola isn’t going to want to start over with a new position coach or OC either. Both coaches shouldn’t be going anywhere unless they choose to.
That leaves OL coach Donavan Riola and tight end coach Marcus Satterfield. I think Rhule saw enough improvement from the offensive line this season that I doubt he’ll make a change. But you never know, the O-line gave up 30 sacks this season.
Satterfield staying or going will depend on him being happy with a pay cut. His OC salary is ending. I do know he is well thought of as a recruiter. If money isn’t an issue, look for him to still be around.
It once again will be an interesting winter and spring with new coaches and the transfer portal. Until then we’ll wait to find out if the Huskers are officially headed to the Las Vegas Bowl. We already know Rocco Spindler will not be playing and if Emmett Johnson decides to turn professional there is a good chance he won’t play. The question now is how many players may opt out because of entering the portal.
GO BIG RED!!
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal.
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