Nebraska football had the 11th ranked transfer class nationally for 2025, according to 247 Sports, and the 13th ranked class according to Rivals. After losing nearly 40 players to graduation and the transfer portal, it was critical that the Huskers restock the roster with a strong combination of high school recruits and transfers of their own.
We recently discussed Nebraska’s transfer class with Husker247’s Brian Christopherson on the Common Fan Podcast. Brian provided insight on a wide range of topics, especially when it comes to Nebraska’s roster for the 2025 season. Last week we looked at four true freshmen who could see the field for Nebraska football in 2025; today we’ll take a look at three transfers to watch as spring ball approaches.
Rocco Spindler
Notre Dame’s Rocco Spindler during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Ohio State on Jan. 20, 2025. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Huskers made a huge splash in landing Spindler, who transferred from Notre Dame after being a major contributor for the Irish in their run to the national championship game. He started the majority of games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons in South Bend, including all four playoff games this past season.
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As Brian told us: “I thought the (late) addition of Rocco Spindler from Notre Dame was huge. And I know we were really locked in around here on the tackle spot in particular and…obviously they got the big kid from Alabama too (offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett). But I think Rocco on the interior allows you flexibility.”
“I mean, if you can say, okay, we got two of the five, 40% of the whole line through the portal here, and we feel pretty good about it, that’s a big step. I felt like the fact that he (Spindler) just came from a program that made it to the national championship game. He’s a very personable guy. I think he’s going to fit really well in the locker room and be someone that other guys can look up to. I thought that was a big deal in the process.”
Dasan McCullough
Oklahoma linebacker Dasan McCullough (1) pursues Missouri quarterback Drew Pyne during the Sooners’ 2024 game against the Tigers. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Huskers got a big win out of the transfer portal when they snagged Dasan McCullough from old rival Oklahoma. McCullough was a freshman All American at Indiana, before playing the next two seasons in Norman. Brian is extremely high on McCullough, ranking him at the top of Nebraska’s transfer portal class.
In BC’s words: “I did a recent ranking of the portal guys, and I had him number one. And I just think it’s because…if it works out, he’s the type of player who, no matter what type of front they want to use, they can leave him out on the field. And he’s bulking up. The challenge he has, and this is real, is that he’s never had a home base sort of a position. He’s been moved around. He’s a guy who, his first year at Indiana was pretty good, but he’s been moved around like where he’s been considered (both) a DB or a linebacker. You know, could he be a rush end type guy? And so I think Nebraska is going to bulk him up a little bit. I think he’s going to get some work with Phil Simpson at that outside backer Jack spot. And they’re going to see what he can do and if he can wear all those hats that they hope he can. But if he does…that is going to check a lot of boxes for this defense, you know, with one guy who can have that type of versatility.”
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Brian went on to note all the attributes McCullough brings to the table. “Yeah, he’s very intriguing with his build. I mean, he’s like, isn’t he like 6’4”, 6’5”? Just long and athletic…I mean, I could see why he’d been moved around a lot. He’s just got that frame that…you know, and the speed. Is he a DB? Is he a linebacker? But yeah, I’m excited about him.”
Jaylen George
Jaylen George / @JaylenGeorge7 on X
As the Huskers faced the loss of numerous major contributors on the defensive line, including Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, and Jimari Butler, they set out to rebuild that position group early in the offseason. Enter Jaylen George from East Tennessee State. George was first-team All-Southern Conference in 2024, after making the freshman all conference team the year before. He’ll have two years to play in Lincoln.
BC casts George as a sleeper in the class who could be a major contributor: “I mean, if you want a sleeper: Jaylen George from East Tennessee State. Sometimes you’ve got to pay attention to when they bring guys in…December was such a busy month, it’s easy to lose track of it, but he was in on one of the first weekends. So he was high on their board and he wasn’t like a guy, like if you look at even 247 Sports or anybody’s portal rankings, they’re not gonna just gush about like ‘Oh Nebraska got this guy.’ But he’s got two years to play and if he can be just a strong guy in your rotation to go with, hopefully growth from (Riley) Van Poppel, Keona Davis. Elijah Jeudy’s still got to give some good reps. But if he can fit right in there and just be solid, that’s going to go a long way for (new defensive line coach) Terry Bradden in his first year working with that group.”
He went on to talk about how the defensive line is shaping up as a whole: “Matt Rule has always had confidence that they can…continually be good on the D line, no matter what question marks those of us on the outside may say are attached to that group. And I do have some (questions). But if Jaylen and Dasan and Williams Nwaneri come along and…you know, maybe not all of them…just jump off the page right away. But if two of those three are really good…you know, we can erase some of the questions we have about that unit.”
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Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)
KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.
They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.
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The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.
“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”
Students representing UNK include: Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano Minden – Evan Porter, percussion Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute
Not even more sickness could stop the No. 12 Nebraska men’s basketball team.
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With a nasty flu strain ripping through the Huskers and the UNL campus as a whole, Nebraska needed a little more time to take care of Maryland, but freshman star Braden Frager and his team-high 21 points and eight rebounds led a late NU surge for a 74-61 victory over the Terrapins. Forward Pryce Sandfort added to the effort with 16 points and eight rebounds while both Rienk Mast (13) and Sam Hoiberg (12) also reached double figures.
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Now with just three games remaining in the regular season, the Huskers venture west for a two-game road trip to L.A., where they start off against a USC team in the middle of a long losing skid. Here’s all you need to know for Saturday’s mid-afternoon showdown between the Huskers and Trojans.
How to Follow Along
Matchup: Nebraska (24-4, 13-4 B1G) at USC (18-10, 7-10 B1G)
When: Saturday, February 28
Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Watch: Big Ten Network
Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
USC head coach Eric Musselman has already surpassed the wins total from his first season in charge of the Trojans. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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USC Scout
Head Coach
Eric Musselman | 2nd season at USC; 11th as HC
35-28 (.556) at USC; 256-121 (.679) College Career Record
Previous head coach at Arkansas, Nevada, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors
Previous assistant at LSU, Arizona State, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-2025 Record & Awards
Record: 17-18 (7-13 B1G, T-12th)
Finish: L, 60-59 to Villanova in CBC Quarterfinals
All-B1G: 1x Honorable Mention
All-Time Series
USC leads 6-5
Jan. 22, 2025, last matchup, 78-73 USC
Washington guard Desmond Claude (1) was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick last year at USC before transferring. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Key Returners
Terrance Williams II | F | Gr. | Was off to a great start with 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year before getting knocked out for the season just seven games in; has not been the same with just 2.5 PPG in 27 contests this season.
Key Departures
Desmond Claude | G | Transfer | Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season for the Trojans after leading the team with 15.8 points per game, but transferred to Washington over the offseason.
Wesley Yates III | G | Transfer | Another player that transferred to Washington, the Texas native was second on the team last season in scoring (14.1) and steals (40) as a redshirt freshman.
Chibuzo Agbo | G | Graduated | Veteran guard that scored 11.8 points per contest while leading the team with 76 made three-pointers as part of his final college season.
Saint Thomas | F | Graduated | The Omaha native and Millard North graduate scored 9.5 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per game in his final college season.
Rashaun Agee | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-8 veteran forward who proved to be USC’s most dangerous threat off the bench by scoring over nine points per game.
Josh Cohen | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-10 post that started in 25 of his 33 appearances while adding 5.9 points per game for the Trojans.
Clark Slajchert | G | Graduated | Another key reserve for the Trojans who put up four points per game in 11 minutes across 27 games.
Kevin Patton Jr. | F | Transfer | After scoring 9.8 PPG at San Diego, the California native saw limited action for USC off the bench to prompt his transfer to New Mexico over the offseason.
Matt Knowling | F | Graduated | Played in 27 contests with an average of over 18 minutes, but added little production with three points and 2.6 rebounds.
Another standout guard for USC last season, Wesley Yates III (9) transferred to Washington ahead of his redshirt sophomore year. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Impact Transfers/Newcomers
Rodney Rice | G | Jr. | The third leading scorer from a Sweet 16 Maryland squad last season, the transfer scored over 20 points per game for the Trojans before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December.
Chad Baker-Mazara | G/F | Gr. | A veteran transfer that aided Auburn’s run to the Final Four last season, the Dominican Republic native leads all active Trojans with 18.6 points per game and 71 total assists.
Ezra Ausar | F | Sr. | The 6-foot-9 forward transfer from Utah scores over 15 points per game and grabs over six rebounds per contest in an elevated role after the injury to Rice.
Alijah Arenas | G | Fr. | The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, the true freshman missed the first 18 games of the season, but he’s been highly productive with a 13.9 points per game average in his first 10 college games.
Jacob Cofie | F | Soph. | A massive 6-foot-10 forward from Seattle, the Virginia transfer gives USC a weapon inside with 9.8 points and seven rebounds per game as a full-time starter.
Kam Woods | G | Gr. | A mid-season transfer from Robert Morris, where he led the program to its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Alabama native has added over eight points and four rebounds in 16 contests this year.
Jordan Marsh | G | Jr. | The 2025 Big South Conference Newcomer of the Year last season at UNC-Ashville, Marsh acts as the sixth man for the Trojans with 6.7 PPG to lead all reserves.
Jaden Brownell | F | Gr. | A 6-foot-10 bench forward, the USC big man was a 14-point scorer at Samford last season before making his way to L.A.
Jerry Easter II | G | Fr. | An Ohio native who went to the heralded Link Academy in Missouri, Easter II has earned six starts in his 26 appearances by scoring 4.4 points per game.
Gabe Dynes | C | Jr. | The 7-foot-5 center led the country in blocks (104) last season at Youngstown State before transferring to USC, where he’s putting up three points per game, but has collected 30 blocks while only averaging 12 minutes per appearance.
Outlook
A veteran head coach at both the college and NBA levels, Eric Musselman was at the center of one of college basketball’s wildest coaching carousel moves following the 2023–24 season, leaving Arkansas for USC and paving the way for the legendary John Calipari to take over the Razorbacks program.
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While Calipari marched his team to a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season, Musselman’s debut season in L.A. ended with a quarterfinal loss in the CBC for an underwhelming year. What followed was an exodus from the program, with top-two scorers Desmond Claude (15.8) and Wesley Yates III (14.1) both transferring to Washington despite standout seasons. Six others graduated, including Omaha native Saint Thomas (9.5) as well as Chibuzo Agbo, a veteran guard who scored 11.8 points per game in his final college season.
That resulted in a whole new crop of transfers to join the team, including the crown jewel of the haul in Rodney Rice, who played a big part in helping Maryland reach the Sweet 16 last season. The junior started out hot for the Trojans, logging over 20 points per game, but a devastating shoulder injury ended his season just seven games in, which immediately lowered the ceiling for a USC team with decent talent. Chad Baker-Mazara has stepped up in the place of Rice with 18.6 points per game and a team-high 71 assists after transferring from Auburn, where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four.
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Rodney Rice (1) was scoring over 20 points per game for USC before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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Utah transfer Ezra Ausar has produced at a high level with over 15 points and six rebounds per contest. Despite missing the first 18 games of the season, true freshman Alijah Arenas has averaged 13.9 points per game as a starter. Sophomore and Virginia transfer Jacob Cofie is the muscle in the post, scoring 9.8 points per game and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds per contest. Similar to Arenas, Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods has been a big mid-season addition with over eight points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Plus, Jordan Marsh (6.7), Jaden Brownell (5.3), and 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes give Musselman the opportunity to mix-and-match his lineup off the bench depending on the matchup.
The Rice injury is massive, and could end up being one of the primary reasons for the Trojans missing the NCAA Tournament, for which they are a bubble team in the latest projections. It’s crunch time for USC, which is in the midst of a four-game losing streak after dropping contests to Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois, Oregon, and UCLA. Three of those four were winnable for the Trojans and games that could really haunt them as they search for key wins down the stretch to lock up a spot in March Madness.
Against a Trojan team that doesn’t defend well, but ranks as one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, USC is an interesting matchup for Nebraska. Being on the road and dealing with more sickness isn’t helpful, but I’m riding the Huskers for this one to reach 25 wins on the year.
LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.
On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.
Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)
During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.
After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.
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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)
Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.
Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.
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