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Former 4-Star OL Peyton Joseph to Enter Transfer Portal After Geep Wade Takes Nebraska Job

Nebraska immediately becomes a favorite to land former top 20 offensive lineman via the transfer portal in January.
Trevor Tarr|
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets offensive lineman Peyton Joseph, formerly coached by Geep Wade, plans to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets offensive lineman Peyton Joseph, formerly coached by Geep Wade, plans to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2. | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

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Nebraska CornhuskersGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Nebraska’s offensive line overhaul under new position coach Geep Wade may already be creating ripple effects across the college football landscape.

Just hours after the news broke that Wade would be Nebraska’s next offensive line coach, Georgia Tech redshirt freshman and former four-star offensive lineman Peyton Joseph entered the transfer portal. That instantly raised eyebrows in Lincoln for several reasons.

Joseph, one of the most coveted interior linemen in the 2025 class, had been considered a future building block in Atlanta. The former ESPN300 prospect played a reserve role this season, earning time on Georgia Tech’s field-goal protection unit while developing behind an experienced offensive front. With Tech graduating All-American Keylan Rutledge and veteran Joe Fusile, Joseph was trending toward a much larger role in 2026.

But the timing is impossible to ignore. Wade, the coach who recruited Joseph, developed him, and spoke glowingly about his physical upside, is now leading Nebraska’s offensive line rebuild. And with the Huskers set to aggressively reshape the trenches after four seasons of inconsistency, Joseph’s intention to enter into the portal sets up an obvious storyline when transfer recruiting opens on January 2.

For Nebraska, this isn’t just a name to monitor; it’s potentially the first high-upside offensive lineman linked to the Wade hire. And for Joseph, the move signals a reset as he looks for a new school to call home next fall. With that in mind, here's everything you need to know about the Warner Robins, GA native.

Formerly ranked as a four-star prospect across Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN, Joseph arrived at Georgia Tech with significant expectations. Rated No. 163 nationally in the ESPN300 and the No. 19 interior offensive lineman in the country, he anchored a powerful Houston County (Ga.) program that captured a regional title during his senior year.

Joseph flipped to Georgia Tech late in the 2025 cycle after being committed to Florida State, proving a major recruiting win for Wade. His blend of athletic power, leverage, and raw strength made him one of the highest-ceiling linemen in the class. Off the field, he earned all-state honors, made the honor roll, and planned to major in business administration with aspirations of becoming a sports agent after football.

Athletics runs in the family, too, as Joseph is a cousin of former Georgia Tech linebacker Quez Jackson, New York Giants receiver Kearis Jackson, and longtime NBA veteran Terrance Ferguson.

Though he didn’t play a major role yet in the Yellow Jackets’ rotation, Joseph made a strong early impression on Georgia Tech’s coaching staff. His appearance on special teams this season signifies that the 6-foot-4 frosh has proved himself to the staff enough to earn playing time.

With the bulk of Tech’s starting line expected to open up in 2026, Joseph was positioned to compete for meaningful snaps. Instead, the departure of Wade seemed to have become a turning point.

Coming out of high school, Joseph was described as exactly the kind of lineman recruit that has seemed to escape Nebraska's roster in recent years. His physicality, attitude, and relentlessness were documented time and time again. It even caught the attention of some of the most connected prep recruiting analysts in the country. "[Joesph] plays mad with an angry field demeanor that fuels block-finishing conviction.", said 247Sports Scouting Analyst Gabe Brooks.

When watching the tape, you can see it, too. Blocking defenders five and even 10 yards down the field was a recurring instance for Joseph playing in Georgia state 5A football throughout his prep career. He played both guard and tackle in high school, proving himself as a player with a versatile background, making him even more attractive to a Nebraska staff that could use the help anywhere they can get it.

Nebraska offensive lineman Rocco Spindler prepares to block against Michigan.
Nebraska's starting left guard, Rocco Spindler, prepares to block against Michigan. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

After the bowl game, Nebraska is set to graduate three of its five starting offensive linemen, leaving room for a player like Joseph to see the field right away. More importantly, both of the Huskers' starting guards will no longer be with the team, making the position the former Georgia Tech lineman plays a high priority.

The perspective move, at this point in time, is all just pure speculation. However, it wouldn't be the first time a collegiate coach brings a player or two with him to their new school. Wade has proven he knows how to recruit, develop, and, more importantly, retain the players he brings into his room, and the fact that Joseph made his intentions clear just hours after his former coach's move doesn't seem like a coincidence at all.

Regardless of whether Joseph ends up at Nebraska or not, expect Wade's room to grow in January. The Huskers' head coach and athletic director have made it very clear where Nebraska stands financially heading into the offseason, and I can only think of one position group that rivals the urgency for reinforcements that Wade's new group has.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule heads into his fourth offseason as the Huskers head coach. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

When it's said and done, the Huskers' 2026 season may ultimately be defined by how resourceful they prove themselves to be along the trenches. Wade's background as a proven builder of men should give Nebraska fans reason for optimism this time around.

For Rhule, January stands as a defining moment in his Nebraska tenure. For Wade, a chance to save the day. What this staff, along with general manager Pat Stewart, is able to do has implications for the Huskers for years to come. And nailing down as many high-profile, instant-impact players as they can over the two-week portal period in January seems to be the clearest path to sustained success next fall.

Consistent blocking is not rocket science, and Wade's proven at several stops throughout his career. For now, he gets himself adjusted to Lincoln, but before you know it, he'll be adding his first wave of reinforcements to his squad. The transfer portal opening date is just under four weeks away; expect more news to be had as soon as it hits.

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Trevor Tarr
TREVOR TARR

Trevor Tarr is the founder of Skers Scoop, a Nebraska football media outlet delivering original coverage through writing, graphics, and video content. He began his career in collegiate athletics at the University of South Dakota, producing media for the football team and assisting with athletic fundraising. A USD graduate with a background in journalism and sports marketing, Trevor focuses on creative, fan-driven storytelling in college football.

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