Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
In Trev We Trust
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Since he was hired by Husker A.D. Trev Alberts last month, every Husker fan wants to know if new Husker head football coach Matt Rhule is "the" guy to return the Husker football program to conference and national relevance. The answer is: it may take some time to find out. But we need to believe in the process and support both Rhule and Alberts' wisdom and experience.
With less than a full month in his new position Rhule has shown he's pulling out all the stops to find and retain players who will fit his formula for winning. He's already received several commitments ('23 class and transfer portal players). He's also extended a lot of offers to other recruits.
But here's the kicker: Rhule has even engaged the help of his wife and the wives of a couple of other coaches to help recruit players!
Wives? Who even does that? That's amazing!
But what about the players Rhule has lost recently, you ask? The Huskers did lose linebacker Ernest Hausmann to the transfer portal (Michigan) and '23 tight end recruit Ben Brahmer (Pierce, NE). Brahmer decommitted from the Huskers and will sign this week with Iowa State.
Losing players to the transfer portal is something that doesn't just affect teams like Nebraska. College football programs throughout the country are being affected by the portal every year. It's no secret the portal and NIL have created a new normal.
Did Hausmann and Brahmer leave a sinking ship? Is that why they found new programs to play for? Who knows.
If players who transfer are running away from something, then why did five-star QB recruit Dylan Raiola recently decommit from Ohio State? The last time I checked, the Buckeyes are in the College Football Playoff and will be vying for a national championship next month. Why would a five-star QB not want to play for such a great program?
Good question.
Consider this: Dylan Raiola's leaving OSU just might open the door for him to sign next year with the Huskers. Does that sound crazy? Maybe. But his dad, Dominic, was a consensus All-America center at Nebraska. In fact, he was a two-time first team All-Big 12 and even won the Rimington Trophy (2000). Dominic had his jersey (#54) retired at Nebraska. He was selected by the Detroilt Lions in the 2001 NFL draft (2nd round). During his 15-year career there, Dominic played in 219 games with 203 starts.
And by the way, Dylan's uncle, Donovan, is the Husker O-line coach. So far, he's the only assistant retained by Coach Rhule from Mickey Joseph's staff. Will Dylan's dad and uncles' ties to Nebraska be enough to sway Dylan to commit to Nebraska?
Don't know. But it sure can't hurt.
Dylan has a full year to decide where he's going to play college ball. Until then we can all dream, right?
Don't-look-now department
The saga of former Husker quarterback Luke McCaffrey continues. As you may recall, Luke used to be a backup QB (and two-time starter) for the Huskers. But he decided to transfer to Louisville after the 2020 season. Luke spent a cup of coffee there before opting to play for the Rice Owls. The move was a head-scratcher for a lot of college football fans - especially Husker fans.
But it turns out, Luke - who switched to wide receiver - may have had the last laugh. As you know, Nebraska has gone without a bowl appearance since 2016. But McCaffrey's 5-7 Rice Owls team actually qualified for a bowl this year, losing to Southern Mississippi, 38-24, in the Lending Tree Bowl. The game was played Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. McCaffrey had a good game, rushing once for 11 yards and catching seven passes for 67 yards.
So how did the Owls qualify for a bowl game with a 5-7 record? Probably the same way Nebraska did after the 2015 season when it played in the Foster Farms Bowl despite having an identical 5-7 record. (NU beat UCLA 37-29 to finish Mike Riley's first year at 6-7. That's the Huskers' last bowl win.)
Has it really been that long?
Believe it or not, it's been 50 years this month that Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers won the Heisman Trophy-Nebraska's very first winner. He's still the most exciting football player I've ever seen.
I can still hear Husker radio play-by-play man Lyell Bremser's words of Rodgers' 72 yard punt return in the '71 "Game of the Century."
"Holy Moley! Man, woman and child, did that put 'em in the aisles!
Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers just tore 'em loose from their shoes!"
I still get chills. Congratulations, Johnny! BTW, JR "Super Star" never signaled for a fair catch. Ever.
How ’Bout Them Huskers
On our latest podcast, grandson Will and I review how the players who transferred into the Husker football program fared this past season.
Note: Thank you to all of you for taking time to read my columns and sending me your comments. You are more than I could ever hope for.
I hope you get to spend the holidays with those you love.
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