Nebraska Schedules Visit with All-CUSA Offensive Lineman

EDITOR'S NOTE: Buchanon reportedly signed with TCU a few hours after this article was published.

Nebraska continues its search to add several ready-made starters at key position groups, notably offensive and defensive line, as day seven of the 15-day transfer portal window unfolds.

To date, the Huskers have seven signees officially added to their ranks for next fall, but it appears this staff is nowhere near the end of making additions to their roster before the spring semester starts.

The most recent target, will-be junior Jaheim Buchanon, received a Nebraska offer Wednesday and shortly after scheduled a visit to Lincoln over the coming days.

Blessed to receive an offer from the university of Nebraska @GeepWade pic.twitter.com/9lj6j91gGq
— Jaheim Buchanon (@BuchanonJahiem) January 7, 2026

Buchanon was a three-star recruit in the 2023 cycle and committed to Florida International out of high school. He spent the last three seasons in Miami before electing to enter the transfer portal on Sunday.

As a true freshman, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound guard redshirted before earning a significantly increased role the next fall. 2024 saw Buchanon earn CUSA All-Freshman Team recognition while he helped the Panthers give up just 17 sacks in 13 games.

With momentum heading into 2025, even being named an All-CUSA Preseason First Team member, Buchanon started all 13 games FIU played. Though he didn't live up to the first-team hype, the redshirt sophomore did earn All-CUSA Second Team honors before electing to find a new home ahead of 2026.

FIU all-conference OL Jaheim Buchanon is entering the transfer portal, his rep @AliBarnes_DSG tells @PeteNakos.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound OL has played over 1,300 career snaps and has allowed only one sack. Has two years of eligibility remaining.https://t.co/kSYG7dZ8sR pic.twitter.com/DBUKaxhcMw
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) December 29, 2025

In over 1,300 career snaps played at FIU, Buchanon has allowed just one sack. He also enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. The combination of proven production, size, and option for continued services for multiple years makes him a hot commodity in the portal, and one that Nebraska immediately pursued.

The Huskers aren't the only school vying for his services. Buchanon has already visited TCU, but he left Fort Worth uncommitted, giving Nebraska a chance to close the deal.

With Buchanon's visit, offensive line coach Geep Wade will have the opportunity to secure his third starting-caliber offensive linemen from the portal this cycle. It's clear Buchanon is this staff's top target at the position, and he could immediately become the frontrunner to start at left guard next fall.

As of Thursday, Nebraska has added two other offensive linemen to its portal class, a right tackle and right guard. Brendan Black, formerly of Iowa State, was the Huskers' first commitment of the class and started 30 games as a Cyclone. He comes to Lincoln with one year of eligibility remaining and appears to fill the starting right guard position left open after the departure of senior Rocco Spindler.

Wade also secured the commitment of Tree Babalade from South Carolina. As a Gamecock under Lonnie Teasley, who was added to Nebraska's staff as run game coordinator in December, he started 15 games in his career. He comes to Nebraska with two years of eligibility remaining and gives the Huskers their presumed starter at tackle opposite of Elijah Pritchett.

If Buchanon were to decide to join Nebraska, it would give the Huskers three offensive linemen fit to make an impact immediately. All three players offer starting experience and a noticeable upgrade in mass and length.

Geep Wade (left) and Lonnie Teasley will work in tandem to coach the offensive line next fall. Wade is presumed to prioritize the interior positions while Teasley takes command of the tackles. | Nebraska Athletics

Wade and Teasley are tasked with shoring up a unit that allowed 33 sacks this fall. Bringing in a player who has surrendered just one sack in his career would be a big step toward significantly reducing that number next season.

The portal additions that Nebraska has already made will look to greatly benefit run blocking for the Big Red as well. This staff is clearly prioritizing the line of scrimmage, and it's encouraging to see them find success early on in the portal window.

Though Buchanon is yet to sign, he is projected to be included in Nebraska's transfer class. The prediction for the will-be junior has a 100% confidence rating per the Rivals transfer portal hub.

If Buchanon does become a Husker, it would signal a big win on the recruiting trail and an provide an early sign that the pairing of Wade and Teasley will create success.

It also would likely end the staff's pursuit of transfer offensive linemen this offseason. With Buchanon on board, the starting lineup next fall would likely consist of Elijah Pritchett (LT), Buchanon (LG), Justin Evans (C), Black (RG) and Babalade (RT).

Buchanon's recruitment does look promising, but the transfer portal is ever fluid. Expect more news from the Florida native sometime soon.

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