Matt Rhule’s top early transfer portal targets in Nebraska football
More and more college football programs are using and will continue to use the transfer portal in quest of an overnight rehaul or upgrading of their squad. The Nebraska Cornhuskers hope to make a dramatic comeback in 2024, and the transfer portal can assist.
Matt Rhule will be in his second season as a coach at Lincoln, after going 5-7 in his first. However, that record may be deceiving, since the Huskers ranked in the top 20 in yards allowed per game and points allowed per game.
They were also 1-5 in games decided by one possession, which was most likely due to poor quarterback play. Nebraska quarterbacks completed only 52.1% of their throws and threw more interceptions (16) than touchdowns (10).
If Nebraska wants to retool swiftly, they must not just find a quarterback through the transfer portal, but they must also acquire weapons for that quarterback. In 2023, the Huskers had the fifth-lowest passing yardage per game. That only followed the service academies (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and Iowa. Nebraska’s passing attack needs to be completely overhauled. Fortunately, they will have alternatives via the transfer site to do so.
Kyle McCord
It’s possible that Nebraska won’t be able to land a quarterback of Kyle McCord’s caliber through the transfer portal. They should at least try now that McCord is in the gateway. The quarterback’s season at Ohio State was up and down, but generally, he performed admirably.
McCord finished the 2023 season with 3,170 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He averaged 9.1 yards per attempt and completed 65.8% of his attempts. Of course, having former high school classmate Marvin Harrison Jr. at your disposal helps; Harrison Jr. ended up accounting for almost 38% of McCord’s passing yards (1,211). However, McCord continued to contribute for the Buckeyes in 2023.
This past season, the Huskers got the most out of their quarterback play. With how great their defense played, if Nebraska had gotten the level of quarterback performance McCord displayed this season, they might have made the Big Ten Championship Game. It’s unclear whether McCord would consider Nebraska at all, but getting McCord would be a game-changing home run for the Huskers.
Julian Fleming
Why settle for just one former Ohio State Buckeye? When a wide receiver from the factory becomes available, it’s probably a smart idea to pursue that player. That is the situation with Julian Fleming, a former five-star prospect who has recently joined the transfer portal.
Julian Fleming’s Ohio State career did not proceed as planned. During his four seasons in Columbus, the former No. 3 overall prospect in the class of 2020 caught 79 passes for 963 yards and seven touchdowns. However, it is not entirely his fault. It’s difficult to get playing time when the competition includes *checks notes* Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jameson Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka.
Yes, four prior first-round picks attended Ohio State when Fleming was there. That number will almost certainly be five once Harrison Jr. declares for the NFL Draft, and it might (should) be six with Egbuka.
Of course, Fleming did not obtain the playing time he desired at Ohio State! It’s a credit to him that he stayed at Ohio State for so long, despite the abundance of skill at wide receiver throughout his time there. He needs a location to establish himself, and Nebraska may be that place.
Trey Palmer, a receiver in a comparable position to Fleming, recently did so. Palmer was an LSU player who played alongside Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Terrace Marshall Jr., and Kayshon Boutte, among others. Palmer later transferred to Nebraska, where he racked up 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns on 71 receptions before being picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and carving out a decent niche for himself.
Julian Fleming may be on a similar road, so why not go where Palmer went? Nebraska should make that pitch. A receiver of Fleming’s caliber would be a huge coup for the Cornhuskers.
