The NIL and transfer portal era sounds like a dream for young players. But for coaches, it’s more like “Fallout”—a relentless scramble for survival as richer programs throw around megaton offers. Huskers’ HC Matt Rhule works tirelessly, successfully recruiting players like Arizona’s Groves-Killebrew. But even with those wins, he hits a brick wall. Other programs, flush with cash, always seem to dangle a shinier, more tempting deal. Just look at Bryce Underwood, whom Michigan snagged from LSU with a can’t-refuse package. Rhule’s had enough of this arms race, and now he’s about to make a massive, game-changing move.
But what’s that? Well, the upcoming Huskers spring game might face a serious blow, and Matt Rhule can see the consequences coming. Nebraska’s spring game may not survive the aftermath. The head coach is determined not to let his team’s roster become a marketplace for rival programs flaunting generous NIL checks. Last year, an incredible 60,000 fans filled Memorial Stadium for the event, an astonishing turnout for a team coming off a 5-7 season.
Now, Rhule weighs the possibility of scrapping the event altogether, fearing another wave of departures. “I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that. So to go out and bring in a bunch of new players and showcase them for all the other schools to watch? Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” he said. Looks like not every spectator came to cheer! Some came with ulterior motives, aka recruiting motives. It’s pretty evident knowing the fact that six Nebraska players entered the portal after last year’s spring game, and Matt Rhule admitted that could be a real threat this time.
Although Rhule didn’t mention any names, his message was clear: Nebraska’s spring game exposes players to potential poachers. With the portal’s spring window closing on April 25, just one day before Nebraska concludes its practice, Rhule sees it’s not worth the risk. So, no packed “traditional” Spring Games for now. But Nebraska AD Troy Dannen hinted in an interview that the team will likely have “some type” of fan showcase. What does that look like on April 26th? Neither Rhule nor Dannen are saying just yet.
Moreover, Matt Rhule is well aware of the dangers of injuries, but that’s not what worries him at night. Nebraska experienced the loss of receiver Demitrius Bell and cornerback Blye Hill for the entire season after last year’s spring game. And undoubtedly, that was painful. However, Rhule sees a more significant issue—his players are not only at risk of getting injured but also at risk of being poached. But his fear goes even beyond that.
Matt Rhule’s ‘tampering’ issue
It’s evident that Nebraska’s diving headfirst into the NIL deep end, but so far, it’s been more belly flops than smooth entries. Believe it or not, top-tier offensive linemen in today’s market earn exorbitant amounts, some even comparable to quarterbacks. Despite targeting high-profile recruits such as Isaiah World (Oregon), Shiyazh Pete (Kentucky), and Fa’alili Fa’amoe (Washington State to Wake Forest), Nebraska came up short. That’s exactly why Matt Rhule is fearing this situation again.
Talking about the flashy deals taking over good players, Matt Rhule didn’t hold himself back from addressing the issue. “The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s just an absolutely free, open, common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him,” he said.
In fact, the Nebraska Cornhuskers finally snapped their bowl win drought this season, their first since 2015—a moment that should have been a pure triumph. But the reality? They faced a mass exodus of 31 players via the transfer portal, with 23 already finding new homes.
Ever since the transfer portal became a thing, it’s not only shaken up the landscape for schools but it’s also forced head coaches like Matt Rhule to rethink their entire approach. Will you believe it’s the same person who used to say, “I just don’t believe in running kids off.”? And see, even he is bound to build his rooster through it. Well, at this moment the only good news Huskers have is Notre Dame’s guard, Rocco Spindler, who’s making a visit to Lincoln.
Let’s see if the Huskers have a shot with him or not, because at this moment only a strong roster can save them from future misery.
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