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Three Transfers to Watch as Nebraska Gears Up for Spring Football

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Three Transfers to Watch as Nebraska Gears Up for Spring Football


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, 202

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 pursues Missouri quarterback Drew Pyne during the Sooners' 2024 game against the Tigers.

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

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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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


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...
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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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

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“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

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“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

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Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

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Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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