Despite some claims that Nebraska football didn't have as much success as it should have in the Transfer Portal, Tree Babalade, Brendan Black, and Owen Chambliss show the Huskers have some serious talent.
In fact, according to Saturday Blitz, the pair of offensive linemen and the Rob Aurich disciple all made the site's All-Big Ten Transfer Portal team on Thursday morning. In the process, they helped NU be one of the leaders in the entire conference when it came to the number of players on that squad.
Babalade and Black are part of Nebraska's offensive line rebuild and are among a group of 17 Transfer Portal additions this winter. Likewise, Chambliss came over from San Diego State, where the linebacker played under Aurich for the Aztecs this past fall. According to Nicholas Rome, Rhule hit homeruns with all three.
All-Big Ten portal team features Nebraska additions Tree Babalade, Brendan Black, Owen Chambliss
"Incoming Nebraska transfer Owen Chambliss will fly under the radar, but he may end up being one of the best additions in the Big Ten," Rome wrote while noting the 'backer had 109 tackles in 2025 and could be one of the best at his position in the conference, not just among transfers.
As far as Iowa State transfer Black, Rome noted there's room for growth, but talent is there, saying he, "will instantly upgrade this unit. Black has been at his best as a run blocker, and he'll need to get better in pass protection, but the experience will be key for this team."
Finally, of South Carolina transfer Babalade, Rome noted that the likely starter at offensive tackle, "comes to Nebraska with a chance to play several positions with experience at both offensive tackle positions."
The trio of All-Big Ten Transfer Portal Team additions has the Huskers tied for second in the conference. Only defending national champion Indiana has more with four.
Nebraska is tied with Michigan and Penn State and has more than Big Ten powers like Oregon and Ohio State (two each), as well as USC (two), Wisconsin, UCLA, and Washington (one). Most notably, neither Iowa nor Michigan (two teams the Huskers will play this year) scored a single addition to the team.