Nebraska football loses late QB signee, continuing bizarre 2026 trend

A late flip leaves Nebraska football without its expected quarterback signee.
Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

While Nebraska's signing of Dylan Berymon was a big win for the Huskers on Wednesday, it seems they've lost out on a quarterback signee in Tanner Vibabul. In the process, NU's 2026 quarterback recruiting looks officially jinxed.

Vibabul was a very late commitment to the Huskers, not long after Dayton Raiola decommitted. Dayton's departure was the second of three Raiolas who departed the program just ahead of Dylan Raiola, who hit the transfer portal and signed with Oregon.

He was, in fact, too late to sign during the December period. Still, it was expected he'd put his ink on the bottom line for Nebraska on Wednesday. Then James Madison came calling, and the Las Vegas dual-threat QB is headed to one of the most recent Group of 6 College Football Playoff teams.

What Tanner Vibabul’s decision means for Nebraska’s quarterback room

On3's Sean Callahan was among the first to point out that Huskers didn't get Vibabul officially on Wednesday. At that time, it was expected he was headed elsewhere. Callahan officially put in a prediction for James Madison on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, five other analysts all predicted the quarterback will be under center for the Dukes when the 2026 season rolls around.

According to 93.7 The Ticket, the change came thanks to JMU coming in late with a decent offer of both revenue share and NIL money. According to insiders, neither one of those things was on offer from the Huskers, and he was just getting a good old-fashioned full ride to NU.

Rhule and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas likely told the 3-star recruit that he'd have a chance to show what he can do in an offense more geared towards a dual-threat attack. However, Vibabul probably looked at the quarterback room, as well as Trae Taylor coming in 2027, and decided his chances to shine were extremely limited.

For Nebraska, the loss of Tanner Vibabul isn't a back breaker. However, it does make the quarterback room a bit lighter with Anthony Colandrea, TJ Lateef, and Daniel Kaelin the only scholarship QBs. Despite that, it's almost certain the Huskers won't look for a replacement before the February signing period is over.

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