It's been an up-and-down Transfer Portal period for the Nebraska football team. However, the Huskers scored a significant victory on Monday in the form of Owen Chambliss.
Chambliss visited the Huskers over the weekend, and Matt Rhule, Rob Aurich, and the staff always wanted to make sure to keep him from making any other visits. In succeeding in doing that, the Huskers land one of the best players in the portal and someone who will almost assuredly make an immediate impact in 2026.
Chambliss has shown an ability to be both a run stopper and a weapon on pass defense in his two years with San Diego State. He's also obviously someone new Nebraska defensive coordinator Rob Aurich knows well and knows how to utilize in his system.
Owen Chambliss can be de facto player/coach for Nebraska's new defense
Chambliss also becomes a de facto player/coach as he's the first member of the Aztecs' defense to join the team. As the Huskers prepare to transition from the 3-3-5 they've run since Matt Rhule arrived to Aurich's 4-2-5, having someone who has played in that system is a significant pickup, even if he didn't provide eye-popping stats.
Luckily, Chambliss did have eye-popping stats. In his first year under Aurich, the linebacker recorded 109 tackles, 10 for loss, four sacks, one interception and five passes defended.
He's considered a "jack of all trades" type player as he can play linebacker well but can also line up as an edge rusher. He's considered one of the Top 10 players at his position by all recruiting services and Saturday Blitz has him as the No. 6 linebacker in the Transfer Portal class.
Owen Chambliss is now officially the third commit to Nebraska out of the transfer portal. He follows Kenny Minchey from Notre Dame, a quarterback who came very close to beating out CJ Carr for the starting QB job with the Fighting Irish and former Iowa State offensive lineman Brendan Black.