Nebraska
‘Great Players Love Competition’: Nebraska Football Coach Matt Rhule Sees Added Depth in the Secondary
Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule wants his defense to be better on third down this fall.
In 2024, Husker opponents converted on 35.2% of third downs. That rate was good for 31st in the nation and fifth in the Big Ten Conference.
But in the first five losses last year, the opponents converted at a 40.4% clip. Iowa, the sixth loss of the season, went 0-for-10 on third downs.
Rhule said the defense this fall, now under the direction of new defensive coordinator John Butler and with help from associate head coach Phil Snow, won’t “just sit in a 3-3.”
“We’re going to put five corners on the field at times, five safeties,” Rhule said at his Saturday media availability. “I want different groupings out there. I want a ton of guys playing.”
Rhule said the depth in the secondary is “really strong.”
“We can start six different guys at corner right now,” Rhule said. “We could start four or five different guys at safeties.”
Rhule acknowledged that the dynamic of the secondary and depth could change this coming week with the spring transfer portal window. Still, the addition of multiple transfer defensive backs, the return of guys like Marques Buford, Malcolm Hartzog, DeShon Singleton and Ceyair Wright, as well as the development of Jeremiah Charles, Mario Buford, Caleb Benning and more, the secondary is primed for a solid 2025.
“But for the most part, great players love competition,” Rhule said.
On the front end, Rhule has been impressed with what the pass rush is beginning to look like.
“We have some guys I know can rush. I think we have some really athletic guys. Phil’s doing a great job with those edge guys. (Defensive line coach Terry Bradden) is doing a great job with the other guys and they’re working together. I see a comprehensive rush plan starting to come together,” Rhule said.
You can watch Rhule’s full media availability from Saturday below.
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Nebraska Game and Parks is offering residents a chance to win prizes simply for getting outside and moving, as part of a challenge honoring America’s 250th birthday.
The Outdoor Nebraska 250-Mile Challenge invites participants to log miles through activities like walking, running, kayaking, horseback riding and more using any fitness app. The goal is to reach 250 miles before the end of the year. Once completed, participants fill out a form on the Nebraska Game and Parks website to become eligible for prizes.
Mike Selman, a regular walker at Zorinsky Lake, said the challenge caught his attention.
“I think it’s great, as long as you put in the time and effort,” Selman said.
Selman said getting outdoors is already a big part of his routine.
“I absolutely love it, I love being outdoors, just the beauty, the nature, the trees, the water,” Selman said.
He said one of his favorite aspects of the challenge is the opportunity to explore Nebraska’s many outdoor spaces.
“Especially here, around Zorinsky, Standing Bear, Flanagan, you got great opportunities and great places to go,” Selman said.
When asked if he planned to submit his miles, Selman did not hesitate.
“I’ll definitely think about it, most definitely,” Selman said.
Between Memorial Day and the end of the year, logging just over 1 mile a day would be enough to reach the 250-mile goal and qualify for prizes.
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We’ll have to wait a bit longer to get into the Cowgirls’ Super Regional.
A rainy night in Lincoln meant the teams only managed to get four outs into the Super between Oklahoma State and Nebraska. The game is tied at 0. The weather delay lasted about two hours before they called it.
The game will resume at 4 p.m. Friday and be televised on ESPN2. They will not play another game Friday, as Game 2 will now take place at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Nebraska football team added its third 2027 offensive line commitment and addition from the state of Georgia on Wednesday.
Loganville (Ga.) Grayson offensive lineman KD Jones officially announced his commitment to NU this week. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Jones picked the Huskers over Georgia Tech, Auburn, Kentucky and Virginia Tech. He visited Lincoln on May 6 and is scheduled to take his official visit to Nebraska on June 6.
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The Huskers first offered Jones in April, after offensive line coach Geep Wade had previously been recruiting him at Georgia Tech.
“Coach Wade called me and offered me today,” Jones told HuskerOnline on Apr. 25. “He has been on me for a long time, ever since he was at Tech. So his interest wasn’t anything new to me. He came to watch me train at school and was amazed. He offered the next day.”
Jones joins safety Corey Hadley from the state of Georgia in NU’s 2027 recruiting class.
“I knew nothing about Nebraska before the offer,” Jones said in April. But now that Coach Wade and Coach (Lonnie) Teasley are there, I know I can trust them.”
Jones had planned to take official visits to all the schools recruiting him, but his early commitment to NU appears to have shut down those visits.
He jones Omaha (Neb.) Millard North’s Matt Erickson and fellow Grayson product Jordan Agbanoma are the other offensive linemen in the Huskers’ 2027 recruiting class. He’s now the 10th commitment in Nebraska’s class of 2027.
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