Nebraska is nice. Perhaps obscured by a wild week of quarterback twists and turns — both in the open market and high school recruiting — is mounting evidence of a culture of stability new to Nebraska in the free-agent era. Few players are seeking opportunity elsewhere. Many are putting off pro plans or work life to stick around longer.
Three scholarship Huskers in December have transferred out — deposed quarterback Jeff Sims, rotational cornerback Tamon Lynum and reserve linebacker-turned-tight end Jake Appleget — in a number on par in the Big Ten with College Football Playoff qualifiers Michigan (one) and Washington (two). Iowa (five), Wisconsin (eight) and Oregon (eight) all have more. Coaching changes at Indiana (22) and Michigan State (19) have spurred a mass exodus while Purdue (19) and Ohio State (15) are seeing major turnover too.
Across the sport, more than half of the 82 bowl teams have double-digit portal entries. Nebraska — coming off its seventh straight losing campaign — is retaining talent better than many 10-win Power Five programs.
“Obviously the losses aren’t fun but I had fun all year,” senior safety Omar Brown said in the moments after his final college game on Black Friday. “I had fun every day at practice. I had fun in meetings. I had fun just being around these guys. These guys are great men to be around. I’m happy to have them going on in life and just knowing them. Yeah, I love them.”
It starts with Rhule, Brown said. Players have praised the physical midweek practices during the season starting with “Bloody Tuesdays.” The Monday team dinners where coaches and players can bring family. Rhule meets with every Husker one on one multiple times a year. “Team compete” workout sessions allow every level of the depth chart to participate in full football.
Individual breakout stories buoyed everyone on the roster. Like James Williams, the summer-camp find who arrived late as a walk-on and bagged two sacks during a redshirt season. Freshman wideout Jaylen Lloyd filled an injury void to pile up 237 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. Frosh D-linemen Riley Van Poppel and Sua Lefotu had their moments in limited action.
“It makes you feel like everything you’re doing is always important,” said receiver Alex Bullock, who earned a scholarship this fall. “Every single rep, everything you do from film to the classroom to the practice field, everything you do is always being evaluated. You’re going to give everything you have because you know somebody’s always watching.”
Position changes played out that way as well. Tommi Hill settled back at cornerback after looks as a receiver. A host of defenders oscillated between defensive line and the hybrid “Jack” role. John Bullock and Javin Wright thrived as linebackers after moving down from defensive back.
“I think the players are really willing to trust the coaches on the (position) movement,” Wright said in October. “And it’s actually paying off. It’s seeing that we trust the process and everything will go good.”
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