2025-26 #PortalSZN Thread

[djw004]

I'll give RT and LB to you. I don't know if you can say if that ILB matters if the DL is still a sieve. And being better at RT is a pretty low bar.

I don't know if they are bringing in a guard that's better than Spindler to improve that position.

I don't think Colandrea is better than Raiola. I think he's more exciting than Raiola because he's a wildcard but not better.

I don't know if they replaced Dane Key or Ceyair Wright with better players. I realize they brought in guys but I'm not sure they are better. We will see if the SDSU safety is better than Singleton.

They had zero difference makers on the DL last year and have decided to hope that RVP and a bunch of guys who got minimal or no reps last year to make a big jump and supplemented them with a guy that is best described as a journeyman and another guy that was injured in 2025.

How did they improve the pass rush? How did they improve the offensive backfield?

Did they try to find someone better than Lindenmeyer? I like Lindenmeyer but why not try to get better there?

They brought in 7 starters..OK. How many of those 7 starters could start at any Big 10 school that can actually compete?

Probably the best Nebraska did in this portal was they retained Hunter, Marshall, Barney, Pritchett, Evans and Shavers.

I'm far more concerned with on field coaching and development than I am talent level when we are not able to go toe to toe with the Minnesota's and Cockeye's when we have higher evaluated talent across the board.

Nwaneri is seemingly left out of your summary - I think expecting a large jump from him is not crazy. But that's not me defending the lack of support either. I'm with you whiffing on a couple of needs.

I just was pointing out, it's pretty wild to replace 1/3 of your starting positions through the portal and call that a D. People want to say what did we do to improve Y.O.Y. and while I'm not sure we got much better talent, I do know our prospect is better than it would be without those we picked up.

I guess I'm in "coach 'em up" mode. Because I've watched us bring in top 20 classes, win offseasons, and it hasn't meant a darn thing. So, let's improve the coaching - Aurich, Manning, Geep, Teasley. And let's see what this new iteration of our team schemes up/draws up for our base and game planning.

 

[djw004]

I did think that Geep would bring a couple of OL with him - seems the ones we'd want headed south to Florida. I was VERY excited at the prospect that I made up in my head with no info of taking 40% of GaTech's line.

 

[vailhusker]

Tim trying to keep things positive about the portal DL class "they at least raised the floor of the room" or something along those lines.

I think he was pretty spot on with what most on here feel about the class overall good but misses on RB and DL.

Using my old corporate ratings I would say.
QB, OL - Exceeds Expectations
LB, DB - Meets Expectations
DL, RB - Below Expectations

 

[Herbie]

That’s bullshit.

Hard to be upset when it’s because the kid is bad at math and can’t pass a class

 

[Jim14510]

 

[Frogsker30]

Dude must really suck at math.

It really isn’t that high of a bar to qualify

 

[Kaladin]

 

[Jim14510]

Already did it. I missed though.

 

[Cash68847]

They had zero difference makers on the DL last year and have decided to hope that RVP and a bunch of guys who got minimal or no reps last year to make a big jump and supplemented them with a guy that is best described as a journeyman and another guy that was injured in 2025.

How did they improve the pass rush? How did they improve the offensive backfield?

Did they try to find someone better than Lindenmeyer? I like Lindenmeyer but why not try to get better there?

Lack of money would be the simple answer. You’re right when you say Nebraska isn’t spending like they want to win anything of significance. Is it going to be a common theme whoever coaches, or are some boosters not willing to spend with the product they have seen on the field?

 

[biscuitgaze01]

Just keeping it real, posters who are familiar with my posting history will know I’m fair on this staff, the portal class was nowhere near needed to ensure this roster is competitive next year. DL should have been approached and treated like the house fire that it is. Instead, the haul along our front was not commensurate with the sense of urgency that it necessitated.

Unless something very unexpected happens vis-a-vis development, next year is going to be status quo on defense.

 

[vailhusker]

Dude must really suck at math.

It really isn’t that high of a bar to qualify

Just college Algebra isn't it? I shouldn't say too much though I took all my college math classes at the local community college after graduating a semester early from high school with all their basketball players and the coach was the teacher so everybody was passing 🤣.

 

[BradWesley]

Just keeping it real, posters who are familiar with my posting history will know I’m fair on this staff, the portal class was nowhere near needed to ensure this roster is competitive next year. DL should have been approached and treated like the house fire that it is. Instead, the haul along our front was not commensurate with the sense of urgency that it necessitated.

Unless something very unexpected happens vis-a-vis development, next year is going to be status quo on defense.

 

[Havoc34]

Lack of money would be the simple answer. You’re right when you say Nebraska isn’t spending like they want to win anything of significance. Is it going to be a common theme whoever coaches, or are some boosters not willing to spend with the product they have seen on the field?

They’re too busy paying an over inflated and over staffed AD. Go look at home many six figure “administrators”’ are on the AD payroll. They need to cut the fat and stream like this bitch. The AD spends too much money on other things that aren’t winning.
Also this over inflated coaching staff. Use the money you’re spending on a safeties only coach in the portal

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Just college Algebra isn't it? I shouldn't say too much though I took all my college math classes at the local community college after graduating a semester early from high school with all their basketball players and the coach was the teacher so everybody was passing 🤣.

 

[Carm]

They’re too busy paying an over inflated and over staffed AD. Go look at home many six figure “administrators”’ are on the AD payroll. They need to cut the fat and stream like this bitch. The AD spends too much money on other things that aren’t winning.
Also this over inflated coaching staff. Use the money you’re spending on a safeties only coach in the portal

There is a cap on school funding of player compensation (revenue sharing). I'm pretty sure just about everyone in the P2 is spending the cap.

What is needed is more 3rd party money.

 

[rsmacke]

DL, RB - Below Expectations

I’d argue the two most important aspects in the B1G

 

[vailhusker]

It wasn’t because I was smart I just had all my credits and peaced out. If I was smart I should have stayed and taken the AP classes and not payed for them at the community college. That was back in the stone age though so I don't remember if they were offered in high school or not.

 

[SOHusker11]

They’re too busy paying an over inflated and over staffed AD. Go look at home many six figure “administrators”’ are on the AD payroll. They need to cut the fat and stream like this bitch. The AD spends too much money on other things that aren’t winning.
Also this over inflated coaching staff. Use the money you’re spending on a safeties only coach in the portal

I think those are two different bags. Coaches aren't taking away NIL money. Those salaries come from the AD.

NIL is the extra pot from boosters, etc.

 

[Bulldog10]

They’re too busy paying an over inflated and over staffed AD. Go look at home many six figure “administrators”’ are on the AD payroll. They need to cut the fat and stream like this bitch. The AD spends too much money on other things that aren’t winning.
Also this over inflated coaching staff. Use the money you’re spending on a safeties only coach in the portal

Do you not pay attention at all? We need donors willing to waste 10s of millions of dollars on buying players, trimming the fat in the athletic department doesn’t help achieve this goal at all as we already meet the revenue sharing max.

 

[Cash68847]

I’d argue the two most important aspects in the B1G

You have one right. The other is the OL. A Nebraska fan should know that by now with the shitty offensive lines we have had in recent history.