On the same day that the Nebraska football team officially lost defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, it also lost yet another defensive lineman to the transfer portal. Or at least the program can expect to lose another defensive lineman when the portal opens next Monday.
Kai Wallin announced he’s departing the Huskers just a few hours after NU announced its signing class. And a few hours after Knighton specifically said he was headed out the door as well.
Wallin is the 3rd defensive lineman and the sixth defensive player to announce he was leaving the Nebraska football team since news of Tony White’s leaving for Florida State and Knighton likely following him broke on Monday. Yes, it’s been a long week and we’re only halfway through it.
Nebraska football loses another defender in Kai Wallin
Respect My Decision#4YOU#LLSW pic.twitter.com/DkU96RI7TF
— Kai Wallin (@kai_wallin) December 4, 2024
One thing is clear with all the departures, whether talking about graduation or transfers, the Huskers’ defense is going to look quite a bit different in 2025.
With the departure of Kai Wallin today, this is what the #Huskers defensive two deep against Iowa looks like with the transfers and graduations. Butler, or whoever is the new DC has a FULL rebuild on his hands. pic.twitter.com/QpTgskEaDH
— Oliver VanDervoort (@itmeolliev) December 5, 2024
If there is a bit of good news, it’s that while Wallin has gotten to play here and there, he’s not a massive loss as far as the numbers he’s put up. Over his two seasons in Lincoln, he totaled 5 tackles and a sack. In total he had 89 snaps this past season. Last year he had just 40.
As with several of the defensive players who are leaving the Nebraska football team, it’s more about how many bodies will need to be replaced.