Because Nebraska doesn't have a ton of bodies in the running back room, they needed to reel in Jamal Rule on signing day. However, the true freshman has shown coaches that he's got the stuff to go beyond just depth. Head coach Matt Rhule believes he could challenge for quite a bit of playing time in 2026.
Earlier in the spring session, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen made it clear he was impressed with Rule. On Saturday, it was Rhule's chance to opine on Rule. The head coach said the biggest thing that stood out to him was that the young ball carrier is adding some serious muscle in a short period of time.
"I think all of us have been really impressed with Jamal," the Nebraska head coach said in his latest spring practice press conference. I think he's... He's a natural runner. You know, he's... He's a freshman, and I think he's already 210, 208, 210. So he's big. He's fast. He has good vision."
Jamal Rule is making Nebraska football coaches take notice early in spring practice
One of the other things that's stood out to Rhule is that the young running back clearly wants to get on the field as early and often as possible. That shows in the work he's putting in off the practice field as well as on it.
"I was walking out. I was leaving the other night, and he was... I think it was Wednesday night, he was coming in to... go back through the install one more time and catch some balls in the jug. So he wants to play. Thank you. So I think he's a really good prospect and a guy that is competing to play."
Rule rushed for more than 1,200 yards as both a junior and senior at Charlotte Christian. He had 173 carries for 1,362 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, according to MaxPreps. He was also a threat in the passing game, catching 25 passes for 327 yards and one touchdown. As a junior, Rule had 1,236 rushing yards in only seven games, averaging 176.6 rushing yards per game. He scored 15 touchdowns as a junior while adding 12 receptions for 121 yards and one score.
Now, he's looking to compete for a wide-open starting running back position for Nebraska. While there's a way to go, he's made an impression.