LINCOLN, Neb. — With the conclusion Friday of final exams, summer is here at Nebraska.
The Huskers, set to disperse this week, got big news Saturday as 2024 quarterback Daniel Kaelin pledged to Nebraska, one day after his decommitment from Missouri.
The next few days rate as one of the quietest periods on the calendar at Memorial Stadium, behind only the stretch around Christmas. Nebraska players will get some time off again in July. But on the cusp of preseason camp, that time of the offseason is not exactly for relaxation.
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The upcoming Memorial Day weekend will bring a return of energy to campus as a swarm of newcomers begin to arrive.
Here, a full mailbag requires answers. Thanks, as always, for your questions.
(Note: Submitted questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Nebraska placed a lot of emphasis on the recruitment of Dylan Raiola. But what is the staff’s plan on going after four- and five-star linemen? I’ve always felt it starts and ends with good line play. — Aaron M.
It’s pretty simple, Nebraska wants quality linemen. It focused extensively on defensive linemen with the transition class. When coach Matt Rhule was hired in late November, the Huskers counted only Riley Van Poppel as a defensive line commit. It closed the recruiting cycle with six defensive linemen out of high school in addition to one junior college transfer and one Division I transfer.
That’s not to mention two others — Georgia transfer MJ Sherman and Elkhorn South graduate Maverick Noonan — who play linebacker but will shift into looks that place them as edge rushers at the line of scrimmage. Of the 10 newcomers who can play up front on defense, five participated in spring practice.
Offensively, the Huskers are looking for a similar influx. They signed five offensive linemen, including early enrollees Gunnar Gottula out of Lincoln Southeast and Arizona State transfer Ben Scott. Nebraska is prioritizing offensive linemen with the Class of 2024. Its six commitments include Noonan’s former prep teammate, Ashton Murphy, and Gibson Pyle of Klein (Texas) Cain.
Notably, Nebraska brought five-star tackle Brandon Baker of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei to Lincoln for two unofficial visits in the spring. He hasn’t set a return date for an official visit. But close to home, the Huskers remain in hot pursuit of Omaha Central’s Caleb Pyfrom and Grant Brix, the No. 1 prospect in Iowa, from Logan-Magnolia High School. Coaches from Nebraska will visit the schools of both offensive linemen in these closing days of the spring evaluation period.
Yes, the Huskers see things as you do, Aaron. Somewhere in its transition to the Big Ten more than a decade ago, Nebraska lost its edge in producing NFL-caliber linemen on both sides of the ball. Rhule wants to catch up as soon as possible.
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Why QB Daniel Kaelin flipped from Missouri to Nebraska
The Athletic’s research shows that the vast majority of highly rated quarterbacks transfer. Is a re-recruitment of Raiola likely to happen in two years? — Brandon S.
More than 70 percent of the top quarterbacks signed from 2017 to 2020 opted to transfer by February of this year, a number that continues to rise.
Nebraska’s pursuit last week of the No. 1 prospect nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite, ended with Raiola’s pledge to Georgia. While he once looked to me like a decent bet to land in Lincoln, this decision came as no surprise after he opted not to attend the Huskers’ Red-White game April 22.
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Just because most quarterbacks transfer — and Raiola has jumped twice while in high school, landing for the second half of his junior year at Phoenix Pinnacle — I don’t expect him to follow the transfer trend. He possesses elite skills and could turn into a transcendent quarterback because of his combination of arm talent, maturity, high-level training and exposure to the NFL game.
If he stays healthy, I see him winning the job early in his career at Georgia. Others, even if top prospects in their classes, won’t stack up to Raiola’s special combination. In fact, if Raiola had picked USC, I think he could have leaped over Malachi Nelson, a five-star prospect in the 2023 class, to replace projected No. 1 NFL Draft pick Caleb Williams in 2024.
So I don’t see it as likely that Raiola enters the portal. Of course, the possibility can’t be discounted. If it happens, will Nebraska go after him? Perhaps, but so much can change in one year, let alone two or three. The Huskers figure to stay in touch with the Raiola family as long as Donovan Raiola remains on staff for Rhule as the offensive line coach. And Dylan’s brother, Dayton, a 2026 prospect, holds a scholarship offer from Nebraska.
Much less complex to forecast is the situation with Kaelin, whose progress will help dictate decisions for Rhule. After Raiola made his commitment, Kaelin worked out at Bellevue West last week in front of multiple Nebraska coaches.
His pledge is solid. It feels right. He grew up as a fan of the Huskers. And he’s in a good spot, entering in 2024. If Jeff Sims plays well enough this fall to get a shot at the NFL next year, the Huskers might go after a veteran in the portal next winter. Still, with just two other quarterbacks on scholarship, the depth looks good for an incoming freshman ahead of Rhule’s second season.
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What could Riley Van Poppel, Vincent Carroll-Jackson add to Nebraska defense??
What is the upcoming summer schedule, and how much interaction can players and coaches have before preseason camp starts? When does camp start? Are there sanctioned workouts with strength coach Corey Campbell? And finally, with Muchachos opening in Omaha, I’m interested in hearing your top three burritos in Omaha. — Ross V.
I don’t have the specifics yet on the start of summer conditioning drills. If it follows the pattern of previous years, many of the Huskers will return around Memorial Day, May 29, with informal workouts set for next week and full team drills with Campbell to begin the week of June 5.
Campbell and his staff are allowed access to the Huskers during the summer — in the weight room and for conditioning work. Players can spend time in the office with Rhule and the Nebraska assistant coaches, but no on-field work is permitted.
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The Huskers, as you know, open the season Aug. 31, a Thursday night, at Minnesota. Last year, Nebraska began camp exactly one month before the opener in Ireland. Look for something similar, around that weekend of July 29-30 or Monday, July 31.
I’m not properly equipped to answer your burrito question. That qualifier stated, the 4-pound Pipeline Burrito and the Hatch Mac Burrito at Muchachos are equally awesome. I’m thrilled that Nick Maestas brought his Lincoln shop to Omaha’s Little Bohemia.
The PBJ Burrito at Burrito Envy in Benson is fantastic. (It’s not made with peanut butter and jelly.) And the Burrito Mananero at Taqueria Tijuana is just one of many in South Omaha that are worth your time.
Finally, I’ve not tried this, but I’d like Block 16 to bring it back soon.
this summer weather has us feelin all Californiaish. Cali burrito! House carne asada, fries, scallion slaw, guac, Muenster, queso fresco & guajillo salsa in a super legit tortilla. Beer cheese soup too. the patio is closed. Don't want anyone to get a sunburn! Get down here! pic.twitter.com/oJCwvc4pEl
— Block 16 (@Block16Omaha) February 16, 2023
A number of the coaches who’ve come to Nebraska seemed unprepared for the scrutiny and attention the Huskers receive — even Scott Frost, who experienced it as a player. Understanding that Rhule has not coached a game, he appears more comfortable and prepared to embrace the pressure. Do you think that’s a result of his experience in college and the NFL? — Robb B.
Frost was uncomfortable with the lack of privacy afforded to his family, something that he mentioned on the day he was introduced in 2017. Rhule places his family front and center. His wife, Julie, is accustomed to the spotlight. They embrace it. One way is not better than the other, but Rhule’s out-in-front style matches naturally with Nebraska.
And it’s not forced. That’s just Rhule. He’s an excellent communicator. He’s an extrovert. I didn’t know him when he took over at Temple a decade ago, but from talking to people who’ve long spent time near the coach, he always has enjoyed meeting people and getting to know their stories. I’m sure the past decade in charge of two college programs and his time with the Carolina Panthers has prepared Rhule for the Nebraska spotlight.
It earns him points with the fans and media. Because of his nature and interpersonal skills, he’s quick to get a gauge on people. It helps in recruiting. But his personality won’t directly contribute to any victories on the field. That comes down to coaching ability.
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With Tony Petitti taking over as Big Ten commissioner, what changes do you see coming for the league? What do you think the schedules will look like? Do you think Nebraska will continue to schedule Power 5 teams to play out of conference? — Thomas T.
Petitti has been in command for less than a month, so it’s difficult to forecast changes ahead as the league sits in a great place financially. Petitti’s first major move involves the football schedule. It long has been expected that divisions will go away when USC and UCLA enter. We’ll learn soon about the structure of protected rivalries, the most compelling element of future schedules.
Nebraska is set to continue playing Power 5 non-conference opponents. On the schedule are Colorado in 2023 and 2024, Cincinnati in 2025, Tennessee in 2026 and 2027, Arizona in 2028 and 2031, Oklahoma in 2029 and 2030, and Oklahoma State in 2034 and 2035.
In a 12-team College Football Playoff environment, it makes sense to keep playing games that fans want to see.
What is Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts doing to get ahead of gambling issues similar to what’s happening at Iowa and Iowa State? Nebraska can’t afford that kind of scandal, given the state of its football and basketball programs. — Michael S.
Sixty-seven athletes at Iowa and Iowa State are under investigation after information provided by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission pointed to their involvement in sports gambling.
The problem extends beyond the state of Iowa, where sports betting is legal online and in casinos. Alabama recently fired its baseball coach for his connection to suspicious gambling activity. As sports betting is legalized in more states, concerns will escalate.
Sports betting, although legal in Nebraska, is available only at licensed casinos, none of which yet have the apparatus in place to accept bets.
Alberts is involved in Nebraska’s work to educate athletes about rules that prohibit them from gambling on sports in which the NCAA holds a championship. More will have to be done as the access to placing bets expands. And problems are likely unavoidable.
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If Nebraska wants to break the all-time record for a women’s sporting event, does the potential exist to make it happen at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30? — James N.
When Nebraska planned the Volleyball Day in Nebraska event, its intent was to place out of reach the NCAA attendance record for a regular-season collegiate volleyball game. It is held by Wisconsin at 16,833.
When the school announced that fans purchased 82,900 tickets in a few days, objectives changed.
Capacity at Memorial Stadium is 85,458. The stadium attendance record is 91,585, set in 2014 when Bo Pelini’s Huskers beat Miami 41-31. Interestingly, as you noted, James, the world record for a women’s sporting event was set in March 2022 — 91,553 in Barcelona for a UEFA Women’s Champions League match.
And the U.S. record of 90,185 dates to the 1999 World Cup final at the Rose Bowl.
Does the potential exist to fit another 8,700 people into the stadium? It does, with club-level tickets and seats on the stadium floor not yet purchased. Players, staff, coaches and media will count in the attendance figure, too. Look for Alberts and Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook to aim to break any available record.
And then hope it doesn’t rain.
(Top photo of Matt Rhule: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images)