While the Nebraska football team has reeled in some big names through the Transfer Portal in recent days, there's at least one under-the-radar potential pickup who could be a Husker soon. When the smoke clears from this winter, Andy Burburjia could be one of the best gets for Matt Rhule and company. Assuming they can close the deal.
Burburjia isn't someone that Husker fans were likely familiar with before January started. However, the JUCO All-American out of Iowa Western has gotten a ton of attention from several Power 4 programs in the last few weeks.
Earlier this weekend, several recruiting analysts predicted Nebraska to win the recruiting battle for the defensive tackle. Brian Christopherson from 247 was joined by Bryan Munson and Sean Callahan from On3 as analysts who believe the Huskers will beat out the likes of Clemson, Penn State, Kansas State, and Texas Tech for Andy Burburjia.
I’m truly blessed to receive an offer from Nebraska!!! @CoachAaronTerry @CoachStrohmeier @BlackbournMike @JuCoFootballACE @HuskerFootball pic.twitter.com/PuYrUj2a7U
— Andy Burburija (@BurburijaAndy) January 8, 2026
Nebraska trending to land JUCO defensive tackle Andy Burburjia
2025 was a monster year for the defensive lineman. He finished his second season with the Reivers with 11 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive tackle finished his junior college career with 14 total sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss, being a player with game experience who wants to take the next step.
247Sports ranks Burburija as the No. 20 overall junior college prospect in the country in 2026 and the No. 6 junior college defensive lineman in the country.
He took visits earlier this month to Michigan State and Clemson and was in Lincoln to check out NU on Saturday. After his visit with the Huskers, the predictions came rolling in that NU will win this big battle.
Should a commitment come soon, it will mark Nebraska scoring a player at a position of extreme need. Many around Lincoln have also wondered why Matt Rhule and his staff haven't spent more time looking at nearby Iowa Western. The pursuit of Andy Burburjia could mark a positive shift in that direction.