It’s always painful to see a Nebraska football legacy go anywhere else. It’s even more painful in the case of Correll Buckhalter Jr. because not only did he commit to the Huskers, but he went to Kansas State, one of the most hated programs in Husker Nation.
For NU fans who don’t remember the Big 8 and Big 12 days, the Wildcats were hated at a level reserved for Iowa these days. There was even a stretch (though not as long) where the Wildcats couldn’t lose to the Cornhuskers. In the last years of the Big 12, K-State was a school NU fans loved beating when it happened. And yet, now the son of one of the better running backs to come through Lincoln in the last 30 years is going to school in Manhattan, Kansas.
In Correll Buckhalter Jr’s defense, the Texas running back didn’t garner a Nebraska offer. Still, it has to be interesting for his father to watch his son commit to one of the school’s hated historical rivals.
While the Huskers never officially came calling, the running back has plenty of interest from teams from all over the country. Buckhalter boasts offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Houston, Iowa, Kansas State, Memphis, Missouri, North Texas, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Sacramento State, SMU, Stephen F. Austin, TCU, Toledo, UCLA, UNLV, UTEP, UTSA, and Virginia Tech.
Correll Buckhalter Jr. picking Kansas State revives Nebraska football rivalry pain
The 3-star 2027 running back ranked No. 867 nationally, No. 64 at running back, and No. 113 in the state of Texas. His profile could grow significantly as he prepares for his senior season. He’s making a move to Liberty Christian for the 2026 season after spending the last two years with Colleyville Covenant Christian.
He had a breakout sophomore season in 2024, tallying 808 yards and 18 TDs on 5.57 yards per carry. He improved on that in 2025 when he posted over 2,100 all-purpose yards (1,276 rushing, 382 receiving).
The younger running back’s father, Correll Buckhalter Sr. played for Nebraska from 1997 to 2000 and was part of the Huskers’ last national title team in his freshman season. In four years, he carried 413 times for 2,587 yards and 27 touchdowns. While he tended to be a guy who offered depth more than being “the guy” in Lincoln, he still got plenty of playing time and put up the kind of numbers that plenty of starting running backs in that era would be jealous of.
If there’s anything to take the sting away from Correll Buckhalter Jr choosing to go to one of Nebraska’s truly hated historical rivals, it’s at least that the two teams aren’t slated to meet up and are no longer conference rivals.
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