Jaylen Lloyd, a versatile athlete who excelled in both football and track, has surprisingly entered the transfer portal after two seasons with Nebraska. Lloyd, a two-sport star, concluded his high school career at Omaha Westside after starting at Omaha Central. A late addition to the 2023 recruiting class under Matt Rhule, Lloyd made an immediate impact during his freshman season.
Lloyd also shined on Nebraska's track team. During the 2023-2024 indoor season, he placed fifth in the long jump (24-3 1/2) and seventh in the triple jump (50-0) at the Big Ten Championships. Outdoors, he claimed fourth place in the long jump (25-1 3/4) and 12th in the triple jump (50-1 3/4), further cementing his status as an elite multi-sport athlete.
In 2023, Lloyd appeared in ten games, emerging as a deep-threat receiver late in the year. He recorded 6 catches for 237 yards and three touchdowns, averaging an impressive 39.5 yards per reception. This season it was expected that he would build on that foundation and post big numbers. However he came up with just 13 total receptions despite playing in every game for the Nebraska football team and starting three.
Nebraska football’s wide receiver room taking hits
Lloyd’s departure comes as Nebraska’s wide receiver group undergoes significant changes. Freshman standout Jacory Barney Jr. emerged as a key player in the slot, notching a team leading 55 receptions while the Huskers added to their receiving room through the transfer portal with the additions of Kentucky’s Dane Key and Cal’s Nyziah Hunter.
His exit marks the third recent loss from Nebraska's wide receiver room, following Isaiah Neyor’s and Malachi Coleman’s entry into the transfer portal.
Lloyd becomes the 29th player from Nebraska’s 2024 team to enter the portal, as the Huskers work to balance roster building with the NCAA’s 105-man scholarship limit. Nebraska football has added 11 players from the portal.