Matt Rhule tells it like it is with Nebraska looking to reload for its 2026 roster

Matt Rhule knows what the expectations are at Nebraska, and he's committed to building a roster that will meet those expectations. 

Rhule talked about his philosophy on roster building on the Huskers radio network. He said the ultimate goal is to simply build the best team possible, and he could utilize both high school recruiting and the transfer portal to accomplish that goal.

These statements come on the heels of Nebraska signing a very small recruiting class in 2026 (10 players), but also putting together a 2027 class that looks like it could be special. 

"Our job is to put together just the most competitive team full of great players," Rhule said. "And guys can't be afraid of that. They have to want to be one of the best."

Rhule's plan is a delicate balancing act

Recruiting can be tough for Nebraska sometimes. The state (and surrounding states) don't offer a high number of top-end P4 talent, so Rhule has to look at talent-rich states like Texas, Florida and California, along with trying to get pieces out of the upper midwest in states like Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. 

Rhule uses the example of Emmett Johnson as a recruiting success story. Johnson arrived at Nebraska as the top player from Minnesota and the redshirt junior worked his way from being a rotational player to the Big Ten Running Back of the Year over a four-season span. 

Players like Johnson are more the exception to the rule these days, so Rhule has to rely on the portal to restock the roster with experienced players as the roster suffers turnover from players like Dylan Raiola deciding to leave. That's where additions like wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (California) and cornerback Ceyair Wright (USC) come in.

"So we'll develop our own, but we're also going to attack the portal when the portal opens to get the right couple of guys that can get us over the hump," Rhule added.

Fans just want a winning team in Lincoln

If we're being honest, as long as the product on the field is winning, no one cares how it was built. If Rhule decides to have a roster with 80–90% portal kids and Nebraska makes the playoffs, no one is concerned with how the bread was made.

But if the roster that's constructed isn't winning, that's when the criticism comes in and the questions start being asked. Is Rhule focusing too much on the portal? Why isn't Nebraska developing more homegrown talent? It's the same story at every program that isn't competing for a playoff spot right now.

Roster building is as complicated as its ever been and it's Rhule's job is to figure it out. If he can do that, wins will follow and fans will be happy.