Things are heating up for Nebraska Cornhuskers football. The team faced a significant roster shakeup in the winter transfer window, losing 22 players. However, the challenges didn’t end there. More players have opted to leave for the NFL, adding to the pressure on head coach Matt Rhule as he navigates the upcoming season.
Matt Rhule’s Unique Pregame Tradition
While player departures have created uncertainty, Rhule has introduced a new pregame tradition that could bring some much-needed stability. A video posted on X captured Rhule discussing his new game-day ritual, which he believes will be part of Nebraska’s future success. He stated:
Nebraska Football Head Coach Matt Rhule says he’s adopting a new game day tradition thanks to the legendary Coach Broyles favorite treat. @coachmattrhule @huskerfootball pic.twitter.com/RxVduIcCGt
— The Broyles Award (@BroylesAward) February 15, 2025
“We plan on being pretty good next year, and I know this is live-streamed, and I’m probably getting myself in trouble, but now we’ve got the seven wins this year — we plan on making a jump. And when we make that jump, people are going to say all kinds of things, but I believe that the ice cream with the frosted flakes before every game is going to be part of it because that’s now part of my routine.”
He also added:
“So thank you for introducing me to that. They keep trying to get me to eat kale and all this other stuff, but I’m going with that. If it’s good enough for Coach Brewer, it’s good enough for me.”
Despite this lighthearted moment, Nebraska faces serious challenges ahead.
Nebraska’s Key Departures and Challenges
Several of Nebraska’s top players are heading to the NFL Combine, including defensive lineman Ty Robinson, cornerback Tommi Hill, tight end Thomas Fidone, and wide receiver Isaiah Neyor.
While their success highlights Rhule’s ability to develop NFL-ready talent, it also presents a major challenge for the Huskers. Losing experienced players like Robinson could leave a significant gap in the defensive lineup.
Nebraska’s defense already feels the effects of key departures, with Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, and Jimari Butler all moving on. Rhule brought in players like Jaylen George and Gabe Moore to fill these gaps. However, some remain skeptical about whether these additions will be enough.
Former Nebraska player Jason Peter voiced concerns about the team’s ability to replace Robinson. Speaking on the Carriker Chronicles podcast, Peter stated:
“Ty, he really played strong for us last year. Was a really good player. Losing both him and Nash who also was successful — that’s tough. It’s tough to replace one of those guys, let alone two.”
At 6’6” and 310 pounds, Robinson proved himself as a dominant force, tallying 37 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks in his final season. His leadership was also a key component of Nebraska’s defense, something Peter believes will be difficult to replace.
“When you talk about leadership, Ty is one of the guys that kind of assumed the reins as a leader. Leadership now is going to be more important than ever right because now you’ve got so many guys that are coming in transfer portal guys.”
KEEP READING: Matt Rhule Speaks On New Coaching Hire
With Robinson gone, Nebraska needs a new leader. Quarterback Dylan Raiola, once compared to Patrick Mahomes, has yet to prove himself on the field. After a 7-6 season and an exodus of players, Rhule is relying on new faces to step up.
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