Concerns over a Mike Ekeler exit from Nebraska grow as Big Ten rival goes on the hunt

In three years at the helm of Nebraska, Matt Rhule has made no better decision than when he convinced Mike Ekeler to come back to the Huskers and take over the special teams unit. Likewise, if a reported attempt by USC to steal Ekeler away comes to fruition, it will almost certainly be the biggest mistake Rhule has made.

It's not just that Ekeler immediately improved NU's special teams and continues to reshape it to make it even better. It's not that Ekeler was hired away from a perennial College Football Playoff contender in Tennessee to come try and help the rebuild, for a second time, of the Huskers. It's not even that Rhule's program should never be straight outbid in a lateral move for any assistant it really wants to keep.

What would make Mike Ekeler's leaving Nebraska for USC untenable is that he's a native Nebraskan who has come home for a second time. If he leaves again, one has to wonder if the Matt Rhule ship isn't sinking even faster than fans thought.

USC interest puts Nebraska assistant Mike Ekeler firmly in the spotlight

Is there a real reason to be worried that the Nebraska assistant is on his way out? That's hard to answer definitively, and that's a good thing. However, there's a very real interest from USC. The question is whether the Trojans will be victorious in luring him away.

Twitter user Husker Wave pointed out a posting by a USC insider on Monday that detailed Ekeler is a real target for the Trojans' special teams coordinator.

The insider, Gerard Martinez, pointed out that Ekeler has some ties to USC, as he served in LA on Lane Kiffin's staff in 2013. Martinez added that there are some other names being thrown around. Still, he believes the Nebraska coach is the "direction USC is going."

As the insider also pointed out, Ekeler is still under contract with Nebraska. The situation doesn't sound like he would get a promotion either, so it's unclear what kind of package the Big Ten rival is offering.

Still, the rumblings of a potential move are growing. Nebraska fans are getting nervous, and Matt Rhule has to figure out a way to keep Mike Ekeler in Lincoln if at all possible.