Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule, Pat McAfee unlikely allies in roster size fight

Since the first rumblings of the House vs NCAA settlement started strutting around social media, Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule has made it clear where he stands. While he likes the idea of revenue sharing, he’s not a fan of another major aspect of the settlement.

Rhule, a staunch advocate for the walk-on program, has vehemently opposed the proposed roster size limits. His concern is not just about the Huskers potentially losing access to the program, but also about the impact it could have on the college football landscape. This week, the Cornhuskers head man joined other college football voices to once again speak out about the roster limits that could be put in place as soon as 2025.

Nebraska football head coach skeptical about roster limits

Speaking during his summer press conference, Rhule pulled no punches about how he feels regarding the Nebraska football team essentially having to do away with walk-ons.

“I don't understand why we have a roster limit. But if we're gonna have one, I'm just waiting to see what they are,” Rhule said Thursday. “I hear a lot of people saying ‘I heard they're gonna do this.’ I'm just telling you right now: I'm in those meetings, Troy's (Dannen) definitely in those meetings, none of us know anything right now about what's gonna happen. So it's gonna be a really unique time. It’s a time where we have to be really nimble between revenue sharing and roster limits.”

Last month, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that power conference leaders were considering a significant reduction in the allowed roster sizes for college football programs as part of the House vs NCAA. As a consequence of that new model, those leaders were reported to be considering a potential reduction – from a roster of more than 115 players to as few as 95 or even 85 players. 

If the number goes down to 85, it would mean it would sit at the current number of maximum scholarship spots allowed by the NCAA. That is likely why people like Rhule and even Pat McAfee are making their voice heard on this more right now.

McAfee, who is in the middle of a contract battle around ESPN Gameday, came out in support of walk-on programs around college football on Friday. 

“It also makes me believe that a lot of the people making these decisions don’t know ball. If we’ve got people who don’t know ball making decisions in this transition era of college football, we need to figure that out, we need to cut that out and we need to preserve this sport and make this sport as great as it possibly can be.”

The Nebraska football head coach likely agrees with that sentiment.