Coaching Nebraska Cornhuskers football comes with high expectations. The responsibility of restoring the Huskers’ national prominence and reviving their once-feared reputation in the Midwest falls on Matt Rhule. Entering his second season with freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, there have been signs of progress, but the pressure remains. Nebraska has added 15 transfers, including former Alabama right tackle Elijah Pritchett, yet a major concern lingers—perhaps best symbolized by a 325-pound lineman in the trenches.
Rhule’s longtime associate and newly appointed offensive coordinator, Dana Holgorsen, has crafted an efficient offensive system. But Nebraska’s 7-6 record leaves much to be desired. While they improved significantly from the previous year, questions remain about their ability to reach nine or ten wins. The offensive line is a glaring weakness, and the running back depth is concerning. Protection issues plagued the team throughout the season, placing them near the bottom of the Big Ten in sack percentage allowed. Nebraska needs more than just a patch-up job—they need foundational pieces.
Help could be on the way, as Notre Dame’s Rocco Spindler, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound interior lineman with one year of eligibility left, is set to visit on Tuesday. He has also drawn interest from Indiana and Michigan. However, whether or not the Huskers land him, a larger issue looms. Former Nebraska standout Adam Carriker and HuskerOnline insider Sean Callahan have weighed in on why the program has struggled to secure high-impact players from the transfer portal.
The reality is simple: the market is too expensive. “Why have we struggled to get offensive linemen in the portal?” Carriker asked. “Because we’ve been trying.” Callahan explained the steep financial stakes: “The elite tackles in the portal—what I call ‘Unicorn tackles’—command at least $1.5 million, with some nearing $2 million. Nebraska hosted three this year.” In short, Nebraska’s recruiting efforts weren’t the problem—the financial arms race was.
This is the new era of college football, where top linemen command quarterback-level NIL deals. Nebraska pursued elite talent, including Isaiah World (now at Oregon), Shiyazh Pete (Kentucky), and Fa’alili Fa’amoe (who transferred from Washington State to Wake Forest), but ultimately fell short. That’s why Spindler has become a priority.
“This would be a starting-caliber interior lineman, which would unlock a lot of options,” Callahan noted. “Interior players don’t demand the same price tag as tackles—just like in the NFL. There’s still a premium on someone like Spindler, but he would solve major issues for Nebraska’s offensive line.”
Spindler isn’t just another name in the portal—he’s a proven asset. A former top recruit, he has started 23 games for Notre Dame over the past two seasons, logging 1,325 career snaps and allowing just two sacks. In 2024 alone, he played 747 snaps, including 402 in pass protection, surrendering zero sacks and just 10 quarterback pressures.
The son of former NFL defensive lineman Marc Spindler, he brings toughness, experience, and—perhaps most crucially—an affordable price tag. In a program that still values its walk-on culture, he represents one of the best realistic options available. Under Rhule, Nebraska has made strides and intends to continue doing so, sticking to its traditional approach.
Old habits die hard, and apparently, so do grudges. Matt Rhule took his time but finally delivered a sharp response to ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, who criticized him the previous week. The back-and-forth began when Rhule argued that the Big Ten deserved four College Football Playoff spots. Finebaum, never shy about his opinions, fired back:
“Man, stay in your lane! Win enough games to make a bowl before worrying about the big boys. You don’t belong at the table with Ohio State and Georgia! We saw your disaster in Carolina. Just try winning six games, quit choking in big moments, and leave the analysis to the professionals. Thank you.”
Now, with Ohio State fresh off a national championship, Rhule finally responded—without breaking a sweat. “Looking forward to another exciting year of football in 2025 with everyone who makes this game so special like my friend @finebaum.” His subtle jab may be the highlight of his offseason—unless, of course, the transfer portal continues to drain his roster before the season begins.
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