One week down, eight to go until Nebraska convenes as a football team to start spring practice.
Coach Matt Rhule’s second team is taking shape. The spring semester opened in Lincoln this week. Twenty-three early enrollees made it to campus. The Huskers added Glenn Thomas from the Pittsburgh Steelers as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator and shifted OC Marcus Satterfield to work with the tight ends.
Meanwhile, coaches are busy on the road, seeing recruits.
Thursday, special teams coordinator Ed Foley saw 2025 quarterback Alex Manske in Algona, Iowa. And defensive coordinator Tony White visited defensive lineman Keona Wilhite, who was granted a release from Washington after he signed with the Huskies last month.
He rates as the only known target of Nebraska remaining among 2024 prospects. Wilhite, from Tucson, Ariz., visited Nebraska last week.
This contact period runs through Feb. 3.
More recruits are converging this weekend in Lincoln as the Huskers build their 2025 class, which includes four commitments.
Here are 10 questions for Rhule and his staff to tackle during this spring semester:
Who are the leaders? It’s an easier question to answer than a year ago, when Rhule was new to Memorial Stadium and some of the young players and newcomers saw an opportunity to rise amid the vacuum of established expectations. In 2024, many of the veterans possess equity not just in Nebraska as the program but in this system. The core leadership will come from a group that includes — but is not limited to — Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler, Isaac Gifford, Tommi Hill and Marques Buford on defense and Gabe Ervin, Rahmir Johnson, Bryce Benhart, Ben Scott and Thomas Fidone on offense.
How has the culture changed in Year 2? This is where the established expectations enter play. Nebraska conducts an intense offseason training program in the winter. Strength coach Corey Campbell is set to work the Huskers just as hard, if not harder, than a year ago when he established expectations. Now, the standard has been set. If the next eight weeks weed out a group of players, Nebraska might be better for it. It has the luxury, with added depth, to demand more of players.
What is Thomas’ impact? The Huskers’ new quarterbacks coach faces a heavy lift in his first months. At Baylor, alongside Satterfield and Rhule, Thomas exerted more influence over the offense than Satterfield. But here, Thomas’ hands are full as he works with Dylan Raiola, Daniel Kaelin and Heinrich Haarberg, who can better the offense with his versatility if the situation allows. Satterfield will run the offense. Thomas will provide support, as indicated by his co-OC title, and they will lean on their history together to manage the details.
Do the linemen on both sides rate as a strength? Looking at it today, yes. But the Big Ten is only growing more competitive with the addition of four former Pac-12 heavyweights in 2024. In areas that rate as a strength for Nebraska, it has to be even stronger to take advantage. Florida transfer Marcus Mazzccua could help solidify the O-line. His presence at guard reduces the likelihood that Nebraska would have to turn to an untested lineman in a starting role. And on defense, the front looks solid, with a mix of proven experience and exciting youth.
How are responsibilities spread among the support staff? Omar Hales and C.J. Cavazos left the program after last season, opening positions in recruiting and player personnel. Phil Simpson and Keith Williams have advanced in their work with the Huskers. Simpson and Williams spent time this month recruiting away from Lincoln as circumstances prevented assistant coaches from traveling. Anthony Crespino, formerly the general manager at TCU, is joining Nebraska as operations director. GM Sean Padden and chief of staff Susan Elza remain in the top administrative roles for Rhule.
Is the QB room full? Full, perhaps. Ready? No way. With two true freshmen, returning eight-game starter Haarberg and a pair of walk-ons this spring, more work is required at quarterback than at any spot on the roster. It’s no surprise, considering the uneven production from the position last year — before Nebraska lost two of its top three players to the transfer portal. Was it addition by subtraction? Only if the freshmen, starting with the physically mature Raiola, adapt quickly.
Can momentum continue in-state? Rhule signed eight Nebraskans in each of his first two recruiting classes. And the coach is aiming to do it again. Defensive lineman Tyson Terry of Omaha North, safety Caden VerMaas of Millard North and athlete Conor Booth of Wahoo Neumann are committed. Among the uncommitted are national-level recruits Christian Jones, a linebacker at Omaha Westside, and Millard South tight end Chase Loftin. The Huskers are also pursuing athletes Pierce Mooberry of Millard North, Jackson Carpenter of Lincoln Southwest and tight end Reiman Zebert of Platteview.
Will recruits nationally pay attention before the wins accumulate? Last spring, Nebraska convinced several four- and five-star prospects to visit amid the excitement generated by Raiola’s interest. The QB, after a May commitment to Georgia, landed on the Huskers. But they whiffed on most of the elite prospects from outside of Nebraska and Iowa who visited early. With Raiola on board and others like Carter Nelson and Grant Brix who picked Nebraska over top programs, perhaps the Huskers can hit a couple of home runs this spring.
Where can the roster be trimmed? A smaller roster is coming. Nebraska can’t manage 150 players too far into the future and stay in compliance with Title IX equity. As the Huskers’ list of newcomers creeps above 40, there won’t be room for everyone. Nebraska’s got 23 offensive linemen and 23 defensive backs on its projected 115-player preseason roster. No matter the positions targeted for a reduction in size, competition will be fierce on the practice field and in the weight room to earn fall spots in the locker room.
Are there portal priorities during the next window? The Huskers could probably still use an offensive tackle. And if the right player comes along at almost any position, Nebraska won’t hesitate to look. Rhule tells the Huskers he’ll never apologize for working to recruit their replacements. But if the coach doesn’t add anyone through the portal after spring practice, consider it a sign that he likes his roster.