Pressure’s cooking hotter than a July sidewalk for Matt Rhule after a 7-6 season, and fans just wanna aren’t buying any big talks this season. With five national titles—1970, ‘71, ‘94, ‘95, and ‘97—gathering dust in the trophy case, it is becoming a distant memory. Coach Rhule came in with big hopes and his golden boy, Dylan Raiola, but 2024 dealt a harsh blow. And Rhule’s gamble on Raiola caught more smoke than fire. Now, the pressure’s on, but Rhule isn’t panicking, as there’s word around the wood that his new QB addition might just finally leave jaws on the turf.

Look, Dylan Raiola might have had a shaky season with the Huskers last year, with 11 interceptions. But no one can deny the fact that despite being a freshman, this guy was firm. He threw for 2,819 yards for 13 TDs with a completion rate of 67.1%. And he is the reason behind the Huskers’ bowl run. So, there’s no way Matt Rhule is letting go of his chosen one this soon. But that doesn’t mean he won’t bring in his successor, right? And finally, Nebraska rolls in high with their 2027 QB commit Trae Taylor, who’s the 15th overall recruit in the nation and the 11th 2027 prospect.

But Trae Taylor’s entry in the team wasn’t that straightforward. Matt Rhule didn’t just have to lay out a plan for him, but also had to set the stage. And On3’s Steve Wiltfong states it out loud, “6’3″, 190 pounds, uber competitive, very seasoned on the camp and seven-on-seven trail. Plays for 24K in the seven-on-seven realm out of Mundelein, Illinois, Carmel Catholic High School. LSU, Illinois, Texas A&M—some of the finalists. But Matt Rhule and company got their guy to campus numerous times, including a few this calendar year. He’s been to games in the past. He loves Nebraska’s pro-style offense, the NFL pedigree from Matt Rhule on down on the coaching staff, the vibe in Lincoln, the fans, the program’s trajectory, and then being able to be a day-one starter”.

So, that’s just the first part.” He talked about that. Dylan Raiola is going into his sophomore year. He’ll be a junior when Trey Taylor is a senior. Obviously, you’re hoping that goes right and Dylan Raiola is off to greener pastures as a first-rounder following his junior season. Then, Trey Taylor gets to come in there and compete for the starting job as a true freshman. All those stars aligned for him to commit to Nebraska.” That’s what a masterstroke looks like. Matt Rhule lays out a perfect plan to back him up under Raiola, and then he will give him the keys.

No wonder Matt Rhule got him this early. But the top 2027 quarterback recruit Taylor, can’t officially join Nebraska until December 2026, but that didn’t stop the 6’3″, 185-pounder. He fully embraced Coach Rhule’s vision, committing early and establishing a foundation for Nebraska’s future offense. This early commitment anchors the Huskers’ 2027 class and positions Taylor as a potential future star.

Carmel Catholic’s star sophomore quarterback lit up Illinois defenses, throwing for 3,061 yards and 20 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. Taylor thrives under pressure; he calmly navigates the pocket like a veteran, keeping his eyes downfield and avoiding sacks with grace. Instead of scrambling recklessly, he finds open space and delivers precise throws, showcasing his powerful arm. But something makes him stand out.

Taylor’s controlled aggression, particularly given his age, is his biggest strength. He avoids unnecessary pocket climbs and premature runs. Just when Nebraska needed it, Taylor’s commitment ignited the program. Matt Rhule’s desire for a stable quarterback situation makes this commitment perfectly timed. Especially with such mass exclusion this spring season.

Matt Rhule’s Huskers are facing a massive roster exclusion

Looks like Matt Rhule’s prediction regarding the transfer portal manifested in an anticipated yet undesirable manner. During the early offseason, Rhule anticipated the Nebraska shakeup and said, “Think this year, we’re going to end up with 30-50 guys (Nebraska players) in the portal with the roster (limit)… I don’t want any of them to go into the portal. I want them all to stay here and develop. It’s just the new world we’re in. It’s going to be different.” And the teams have already lost 17 players to it this offseason.

The departures didn’t end there. Nebraska suffered a stunning blow on April 29th, losing tight end Ian Flynt, offensive lineman David Borchers, wide receiver Hayes Miller, and cornerback Evan Taylor before noon. It was a devastating day for Coach Rhule and the Huskers, who faced a crippling loss of talent and depth in just a few hours. Adding to the frustration, several players left the program after spring practices. This included defensive back D’Andre Barnes, kicker Nico Ottomanelli, and offensive lineman Grant Seagren. To make matters worse, Nebraska lost out to Miami in the recruitment of Omaha native CharMar Brown.

Now, Matt Rhule doesn’t care much about the players hitting the portal, but when punter Jack McCallister entered the portal, Rhule felt compelled to explain punter Jack McCallister’s transfer as he just joined hands with the Huskers, coming from Washington. McCallister, a three-year starter, wasn’t at fault; the move resulted from a schematic shift under new special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler. Ekeler prefers a rugby-style punter, a departure from McCallister’s traditional style.

“I just want to be very clear. This is a young man who I feel terrible about the circumstances,” Rhule said. “When I met with him, he was so professional — obviously deeply disappointed. He said, ‘Coach, I’d love to stay here. I love the culture. I love everything that I’m experiencing, but I feel like I probably need to go look for something.” Even though things went wrong, McCallister’s still in the game. He stuck around for practice, finishing up the semester in Nebraska.

But Matt Rhule made one thing pretty clear to his players: he values transparency. “I’ll tell you the truth all the time. I don’t mind disappointing you, but I hate to have you say, ‘You lied to me.’ It’s better he knows now than in the fall.” Now that McCallister’s left, Nebraska only has one punter. Kamdyn Koch (Sam Koch’s son) has potential, but he’s lacking college game experience. It will be interesting to see how they cope with a shaky roster and future hopes, and how this season shapes up for Matt Rhule’s Nebraska.