With These 9 Weapons, Matt Rhule Might Not Give Scott Satterfield a Chance in Nebraska-Cincinnati Opening Clash

At least nine of Nebraska’s projected starters in 2024 could be transfer portal pickups. With the primetime opener at Arrowhead Stadium against Cincinnati looming, it’s clear that Matt Rhule is betting big on reinforcements. Nebraska is scheduled to open its 2025 season against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium. This will mark the second meeting between them, with the first one being in 1906, where the Cornhuskers defeated the Bearcats 41-0. And Matt Rhule is intending to maintain the status quo of the scores this season as well.

The Huskers, now charging into Year 2 of the Rhule era, are starting to look less like a rebuilding project and more like a reengineered machine. Rhule has handed the cultural reins to his players, leaning into a leadership model that puts summer accountability on their shoulders. And QB1 Dylan Raiola, the five-star face of the program’s future, has already handpicked several leaders to run offseason workouts and team bonding sessions.

“I thought this was interesting,” former Husker Adam Carriker said while breaking down his top-5 Nebraska’s transfer portal impact on Carriker Chronicles. “Before we dive into our top five as well, the top 20 programs in the country that are taking steps backward and the top 20 programs in the country that are taking steps forward—Oklahoma State at number one, USC number two, there’s Texas Tech again—at number four is Nebraska.” Carriker’s point is hard to ignore: nationally, the Huskers are turning heads. With at least 15 portal additions and over half of them in line to start against Cincinnati on August 28 on ESPN, Rhule’s roster is swimming in new blood. “There’s lots of guys that could be on this list,” Carriker added. “I narrowed it down and I look forward to some surprises along the way as well.”

The first name on that list? Marques Watson-Trent. The former Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year might be the most decorated defender to hit Lincoln in years. “Via Pro Football Focus, their grades, he actually graded higher than any Nebraska defender the past couple of seasons,” Carriker noted. With 365 career tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 49 games under his belt, Watson-Trent brings veteran instincts and sideline-to-sideline burst. If you’re looking for someone to set the tone in Tony White’s 3-3-5, it starts with No. 5.

Next up is Andrew Marshall, the under-the-radar Idaho transfer who could become a dual-threat weapon on defense and special teams. “Started 13 games last year as a sophomore… averaged 41.4 yards per kickoff return over his nine kick returns… also returned 14 punts, averaged 10.7 yards per return,” Carriker explained. Marshall may not have the name recognition yet, but the production is electric. “He’s got that type of explosive ability,” Carriker said. “Kick return, punt return—you want a first down, and he averages that.” With a wide-open cornerback competition and Nebraska’s special teams in dire need of juice, Marshall could fill two needs with one scholarship.

Then there’s Dasan McCullough, the Swiss Army knife every defensive coordinator dreams about. At 6’5”, 230 pounds, McCullough can cover, rush, hit, and spy—all in the same drive. “He was a freshman All-American [at Indiana], led their team in sacks, was second on the team in TFLs,” Carriker said. “We need that type of impact from him this fall.” Originally a five-star, McCullough gives Nebraska schematic flexibility they haven’t had in years. He’s a pressure package waiting to happen.

Fourth on the list is Dane Key, a proven SEC wideout who’s coming off back-to-back 15+ yards-per-catch seasons at Kentucky. “Had he gone to the NFL draft, he probably would have been a third or second-round pick,” Carriker stated. At 6’3”, 210 pounds, Key wins on contested catches and brings a possession element the Huskers have lacked. Having bagged 1,870 receiving yards so far in his 3 years in CFB, he’ll become a security blanket for young QBs like Raiola. Plus, fellow transfer Nyziah Hunter, who averaged nearly 15 YPC last year, changes the calculus.

But the headliner is Elijah Pritchett. “Former number one offensive tackle out of high school, according to 247Sports,” Carriker emphasized. At 6’6”, 310 pounds, the Alabama transfer is expected to anchor the offensive line and protect Nebraska’s most valuable asset in Raiola. “He’s played in 29 total career games, had 11 starts during his time at Alabama. He’s a year older. He’s a year more experienced,” Carriker added. The ceiling? First-round pick. The expectation? Immediate dominance. “He probably needs to make as big of an impact for Nebraska as any transfer portal player there is.”

Not in the Top 5, but still will be on top of Matt Rhule’s mind

Sure, they didn’t crack Carriker’s Top 5 list—but don’t let that fool you. These remaining four Nebraska transfers are poised to play critical roles this fall for Matt Rhule. Even if they’re flying a bit under the radar.

Let’s start under center with QB Marcos Davila, who’s still getting the hang of Dana Holgorsen’s offense. It’s early, but the safe projection right now is that Davila will be the Huskers’ No. 3 quarterback in 2025, behind Dylan Raiola and Jalyn Gramstad. Think of the former Midland Legacy QB with a total of 8,799 yards as a future investment—learning, growing, and waiting for his moment.

On the O-line, Rocco Spindler is a plug-and-play guy. After starting the last two years at Notre Dame, he brings big-time experience and toughness. Spindler didn’t transfer to ride the bench—he will be a Day 1 starter at right guard. Williams Nwaneri, the former five-star edge from Missouri, is more of a mystery. After redshirting in 2024, the talent is undeniable. One would think Nwaneri is a projected starter, but even if he rotates with guys like Huskers’ defensive linemen Cameron Lenhardt and Keona Davis, expect him to flash.

Meanwhile, Gabe Moore (Mississippi State) and Jaylen George (ETSU) are wild cards. Moore adds depth after missing 2024 due to injury, while George—despite being sidelined this spring—has buzz around his potential to fight for snaps this summer.