It has been quite some time since the Nebraska football program has made any noise, but with some very positive offseason acquisitions many are wondering if this could be the season the Cornhuskers return to prominence. The glory years of the 1990s when Head Coach Tom Osborne roamed the sidelines and national championships were commonplace, seems like a distant memory for many of the Cornhusker faithful.
Though there have been flashes of progress, for the most part, the Cornhuskers have languished in mediocrity. The immediate results after Osborne’s departure seemed to indicate a continuation of the dynasty, as they recorded a 33-5 record from 1999 to 2001. However, since that time the program, with few exceptions, has hovered around 500. Yet now entering into the 2024 season, there is reason to be optimistic about the Cornhusker’s prospects.
A Solid Recruiting Class
Nebraska’s 2024 recruiting class was ranked 23rd overall, according to on3.com. And while that may not be impressive when comparing to the juggernaut classes of Ohio State and Michigan, the Cornhusker class was very solid and clearly showcased quality and not just quantity. It also was a very strategically put together class, that was meant to fill some of the key gaps that needed attention.
Fox Sports had Nebraska’s total defense ranking at an impressive 11th in the nation in 2023, but while that stat was eye-catching, most of that was due to a staunch rushing defense. Therefore, the Cornhuskers focused on putting pressure on the quarterback to shore up their more forgiving pass defense. In doing so, Nebraska brought in highly recruited edge rusher Willis McGahee IV, and corners Evan Taylor and Larry Trevor Jr.
In addition to their defense, Nebraska looked to fix an anemic pass offense that only averaged 135 yards per game. There 2023 recruiting efforts nabbed four-star tight end Carter Nelson, and wide receiver Dae’vonn Hall. All in all, this year’s class demonstrated marked improvement, moving up 8 ranking points from the previous year and showcasing that Nebraska has begun to regain some of its previous swagger.
Nebraska Went Back Into the Transfer Portal
Last year, the Cornhuskers decided on making concerted efforts in acquiring experience from the transfer portal, bringing in a total 14 new players. Though they did not acquire those kind of numbers this year, they still managed to gain some outstanding talent. This is especially true on the offensive side, as they were able to land former four-star recruit, running back Dante Dowdell from soon to be conference rival, Oregon. His presence should provide the Cornhuskers with a very potent running offense that will help free up the pass offense when opportunities present themselves.
They Got Their Quarterback of the Future
There was a lot of buzz around the Cornerhusker recruiting class but nothing compared to the jubilation of fans when they landed the number two quarterback in the nation, Dylan Raiola. The Georgia product who was pursued by practically every big program in the SEC, instead opted for Nebraska. The 6’3″ 230 QB already has an NFL caliber arm in terms of strength. However, his accuracy is uncanny as well, only tossing a single interception in 250 attempts his senior year. Though he has many adjustments to make as he moves into his college career, he has all the tools necessary to lead a powerful Nebraska offense of the future.
The Coach Is Getting His System in Place
Last year was Coach Ruhle’s first at the Cornhusker helm, after returning to college football from a short stint with Carolina Panthers. There was a lot to repair in the Nebraska program, as the previous five years under Scott Frost had been dismal, with the Cornhuskers compiling a 19-37 record. Rhule, in his first season was 5-7 but there were noticeable improvements, especially on defense. However, on the field challenges were not the only ones the first-year coach faced as the athletic director Trev Alberts left to take over at Texas A&M. However, Rhule calmed nervous fans, as was reported by Andrew Kusleika of Grid Iron Heroics, reassuring them he would return.
A Schedule Ripe For A Return to Prominence
As Big 10 schedules go, Nebraska has one of the better ones. Avoiding powerhouse schools like Michigan, Oregon and Penn State, the Cornhuskers are in a very favorable position. They will have to face Ohio State back in Columbus as well as USC in LA, but overall, this is definitely a schedule in which the Cornhuskers can make a statement. Nebraska will open the season against UTEP on August 31st.