2025-26 #PortalSZN Thread

[Husker1]

If they spent all they had (and it sounds like they had $10M more than last year) they are wasting money. Probably paying way over market value for a number of guys, particularly retention pieces.

🎯

 

[Flabio]

If this is what an additional $10mm NIL looks like then we’re $20 off the pace for top programs.

 

[Fargo Husker]

disaster

Now I agree with you.

 

[RedSavage]

If they spent all they had (and it sounds like they had $10M more than last year) they are wasting money. Probably paying way over market value for a number of guys, particularly retention pieces.

If they spent all the money they had they REALLY suck at this

 

[BradWesley]

Is this is what an additional $10mm NIL looks like then we’re $20 off the pace for top programs.

Amateur hour.

 

[Lionsfan93]

I have been as positive and optimistic as anyone here, and I still think that things are quite as bad as many are making it out to be.

But there is no denying that today was a hell a blow. Losing the IWCC kid and Green commiting to Bama means that we likely lost our on what would have been our two starting DTs. Sucks for sure.

 

[Hotcarl]

Here’s an unpopular take. I think with the new DL coach, scheme, and Chambliss at LB helping to make sure we’re fuckin lined up correctly, we’ll see Van Poppel, Lenhardt, Nwaneri, and some combo of the others look better next year. Nash and Ty looked like ass their first few years too.

Lot hinges on Van Poppel. Always raises an eyebrow when someone plays a ton their freshman year, then needs a redshirt, then comes back and looks just ok (looking at you too Mubenga). Remember when it was a battle between RVP and George for the last blackshirt? Just odd.

 

[HCFord1]

Here’s an unpopular take. I think with the new DL coach, scheme, and Chambliss at LB helping to make sure we’re fuckin lined up correctly, we’ll see Van Poppel, Lenhardt, Nwaneri, and some combo of the others look better next year. Nash and Ty looked like ass their first few years too.

Lot hinges on Van Poppel. Always raises an eyebrow when someone plays a ton their freshman year, then needs a redshirt, then comes back and looks just ok (looking at you too Mubenga). Remember when it was a battle between RVP and George for the last blackshirt? Just odd.

Yeah I’m willing to wait and see what aurich can do with the defense, but I certainly can’t say I’m excited about the DL personnel changes going into the season.

 

[Irv]

Here’s an unpopular take. I think with the new DL coach, scheme, and Chambliss at LB helping to make sure we’re fuckin lined up correctly, we’ll see Van Poppel, Lenhardt, Nwaneri, and some combo of the others look better next year. Nash and Ty looked like ass their first few years too.

Lot hinges on Van Poppel. Always raises an eyebrow when someone plays a ton their freshman year, then needs a redshirt, then comes back and looks just ok (looking at you too Mubenga). Remember when it was a battle between RVP and George for the last blackshirt? Just odd.

It’s possible that the existing DL will be better.

But hope isn’t a sound strategy, especially for a team that allegedly had all of the money it needs to compete.

Everything you said is plausible. Imagine a program that would take that and add to it some healthy players at DL with proven production (like all of our competition does).

 

[vailhusker]

Nebraska going to hit the trifecta today?

 

[Hotcarl]

Yeah I’m willing to wait and see what aurich can do with the defense, but I certainly can’t say I’m excited about the DL personnel changes going into the season.

Yeah we whiffed on the portal for sure. How do you not do any homework on Burburija to the point you realize he’s a gonner in the 11th hour? I think we had the money we just don’t have a DL coach and our price offerings didn’t overcompensate enough for the “we suck come save us” tax. Our GM set price points on the portal players’ market value but didn’t factor in we need to convince good players we can make them better despite a revolving door at DL coach

 

[Carm]

If this is what an additional $10mm NIL looks like then we’re $20 off the pace for top programs.

there are a couple of programs with beau coup donor bucks for NIL (Indiana and TT) but most of the top programs are not trying to pull 15-20 contributors from the portal each year. You only do that when you have a lot of holes. It's generally cheaper NIL-wise to recruit and retain top people.

 

[Carm]

didn’t overcompensate enough for the “we suck come save us” tax

That's a good name for it. That can be a huge number. You're not going to overcome a probable .500 season with 200K more a year than someone would get at a likely CFP team

 

[Seaofred92]

there are a couple of programs with beau coup donor bucks for NIL (Indiana and TT) but most of the top programs are not trying to pull 15-20 contributors from the portal each year. You only do that when you have a lot of holes. It's generally cheaper NIL-wise to recruit and retain top people.

What’s absolutely massive for NU on the recruit and retain front is we have the dead last high school recruiting class in the Big Ten for 2026

 

[Hotcarl]

What’s absolutely massive for NU on the recruit and retain front is we have the dead last high school recruiting class in the Big Ten for 2026

That’s the next coach’s problem

(ducks)

 

[Huskers0119]

What’s absolutely massive for NU on the recruit and retain front is we have the dead last high school recruiting class in the Big Ten for 2026

Good thing we punted high school recruiting to focus on the portal and a ‘27 class that’s over an entire year and another mediocre season away

 

[vailhusker]

 

[Blbmeb]

I’m as disappointed as anyone in our D line misses but if you have a different teacher with a different scheme it just might make a difference. Hell, just getting lined up in the correct spot should do wonders.

 

[Cookiemonster]

The roster development is going to have to happen this off season.

Dts imo : Simpson at 285 needs to be that dude he was expected to be. Terry needs to be a 310 pound rotation guy. Van Popple needs to take a leap as he is pegged to be the leader. Bc transfer will need to be a solid run stopping gap filler. Peitrzak showed flashes in moments.

If development occurs like it is supposed to then at Dt we should be ok.


Our de’s:
rushend you can have Merrit and McGahee
The strong end you have nwaneri and lenhardt.
If they develop into their ceilings it will be ok.

If development doesn’t happen then the line is fucked and our season will be terrible. Time is now for some of these guys.