Exclusive Tunnel Talk: 5/3/2024
Welcome to the latest edition of HuskerOnline.com’s most popular member feature, Tunnel Talk. Our staff gives you the latest inside information on Nebraska football, basketball, volleyball, and recruiting.
Now, on to the scoop…
Callahan’s weekly nuggets
***You’ve heard head coach Matt Rhule reference teams that have aggressively reached out to players at schools that have not entered the transfer portal. One school I’ve heard that’s been very aggressive in that regard is Washington.
They lost so many guys to the NFL and the portal with the coaching change. It sounds like they are really scrambling to backfill their roster, and after playing for the national championship, they have quite a bit of NIL money to use right now. When portal targets take visits, you will notice the Huskies are listed as the first visit a lot of times.
***Edge Chief Borders was the only scholarship Nebraska player who entered the portal this week,, along with Ru’Quan Buckley on Thursday. Another one I know they were worried about was running back Gabe Ervin Jr. I’m told things went back and forth with him, but at the end of the day, he didn’t enter the portal.
This is very common among players everywhere. People would be shocked if they knew how many guys debate a decision like this. Then you add the NIL element, and things can get very crazy.
Nebraska’s NIL program with 1890 has helped stabilize roster attrition in general.
*** One-time Nebraska LB commit Hayden Moore entered the transfer portal this week after just one season at Michigan. There’s no doubt Rhule and his staff would’ve honored his spot in the class if he still wanted to come to NU last year.
But I always got the impression they were never too beat up about him leaving. In terms of length and explosion, he didn’t fit the body metrics or speed metrics they generally recruit.
***2026 Buford, Georgia, quarterback Dayton Raiola plans to work out and throw at Nebraska’s Friday Night Lights camp on June 14. His physical growth has been incredible over the last two years. I know he’s excited to compete for the starting job at Buford this fall.
When Dylan Raiola first committed to NU, many people asked the Raiola family if Dayton would play his high school football in Nebraska. They never really considered it because the competition level and overall development are so good at a program like Buford.
In 2026, you already have another Dylan Raiola-Daniel Kaelin situation brewing again with Dayton and Millard South QB Jett Thomalla. It will be interesting to see if any Power Five schools move in on Thomalla this spring/summer.
***Speaking of Dylan, I know he did some things to tweak his diet throughout the spring. He played the Red-White game at around 228 pounds. He had been 10 to 15 pounds heavier at one point. This is the perfect weight for him to move around well behind the line of scrimmage.
As for going to Kansas City to work out with trainer Bobby Stroupe and Patrick Mahomes, Dylan plans to be down there for about a week after classes and final exams wrap up.
***Nebraska looks to have caught a huge break with the injury to cornerback Blye Hill. Right now, it appears Hill will be back at full go sometime this summer.
***The days of publicly announcing walk-ons on scholarship are probably over, with NIL now involved behind the scenes. I was told this week that tight end Luke Lindenmeyer will have a full NIL scholarship-type package. That will cover his tuition and provide enough for a monthly stipend similar to what a scholarship player would get. This type of NIL is going to keep quality walk-ons in the program.
A good example of that in the past was Kearney native and safety Isaiah Stalbird. He was a promising walk-on in the program. NU didn’t have a scholarship for him, so he left and became one of South Dakota State’s best defensive players. Those types of situations will be much easier to prevent now with NIL involved.
***A while back, people expected Notre Dame to be a factor with Omaha Westside LB Christian Jones. I’m told that the Irish have already filled up quickly at his position, so that’s why you don’t see them in the conversation with him like you did last fall.
***It still looks very likely that Florida State will leave the ACC in the coming months. I spoke with one FSU source this week who thinks the Big Ten remains a more likely landing spot than the SEC. Obviously, schools like Florida don’t really want the ‘Noles in the SEC.
***Borders’ decision to enter the portal came as a surprise to most fans. But behind the scenes, it was a very amicable break-up. Borders was not a projected starter; his move was more about life after college. He wants to be a social media influencer and don’t be surprised if he lands in a major market like Los Angeles at UCLA.
-Sean Callahan
As Sipple sees (and hears) it
***I’m told sophomore Emmett Johnson was easily the best Nebraska running back throughout spring ball. That doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but it’s still worthwhile to mention. That tidbit comes from someone who watched a lot of practices over the past few weeks.
This person also feels strongly that Johnson is the clear-cut favorite to start at the position come fall. That again makes sense, although this staff (particularly the head coach) always speaks highly of 2023 starter Gabe Ervin Jr., who sat out the spring recovering from a hip injury incurred last September.
It seems like Emmett Johnson took full advantage of Ervin and Rahmir Johnson (shoulder) being limited this spring.
***I talked to a former Husker (he played many years in the NFL) who said matter-of-factly that Jacory Barney is the “real deal.” No hesitation.
***As one might expect, Nebraska third-year offensive line coach Donovan Raiola recently had his older brother, Dominic Raiola, address the team’s offensive linemen. A couple of players have told me Dominic makes a lasting impression with his messages.
I don’t know exactly what Dominic tells players, but based on our conversations over the years, it largely concerns urgency and the need to sacrifice to be great. Greatness requires extra work and doing it when it’s not exactly convenient. I’ve heard that message from Dominic time and again over the years.
It’s what he tells his son, Dylan, who’s poised to become Nebraska’s starting quarterback as a true freshman.
There are few guarantees in athletics. However, one aspect of Dylan’s makeup that I never worry about is his work ethic. He’ll go the extra mile to be great. He was raised that way. Keep in mind that Dom played in the NFL for 14 years.
***I had a brief one-on-one conversation recently with Kaelin. Like Dylan, he’s a true freshman QB being asked to lead veteran players such as transfer receivers Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor.
Is that part of the job a challenge for Kaelin?
“Just the way our culture is here, I think everyone just kind of holds themselves to the same standard,” Kaelin said. “In that regard, it doesn’t really matter if you’re a freshman or a senior. Obviously, you kind of have to know your place. But if someone’s not holding themselves to that standard, it’s kind of OK for everyone to get on each other.
“As for those two guys, they’re really good at being OK with being led. But just overall, with this team, it’s been easy to step into a leadership role.”
“It especially helps when you get reps with the ones,” he added.
***I was struck by Kaelin’s (and Raiola’s) seemingly high level of comfort this spring, including in their media sessions. “I don’t have a great answer for why that is,” Kaelin said. “It’s just kind of our personalities. I definitely feel confident.”
Of course, serious pressure won’t arrive until autumn.
Step by step, right?
***How would one define Rhule’s culture? I’ll save that little project for another day. But if you listen closely to him and others in the program, it involves putting past failures behind you and thinking positively. “Don’t walk around waiting for bad things to happen,” as Rhule puts it.
***Another culture clue, if you will, is Rhule recently mentioning that Nebraska’s program “has a caring, and not a coddling, environment.” That’s a critical distinction.
I’ve also heard Rhule say that disciplining someone is one of the greatest forms of love.
The man knows how to lead.
***Upon his hiring, I was told by coaches in the industry that he was not easy to work for. One of his staffers recently told me that he challenges you pretty much daily. You could probably say that about a lot of very good coaches. Rhule will tell you he needs assistants who can handle the pace that he sets and also handle a high level of expectations.
Sometimes, I wonder if Rhule sleeps.
***You perhaps noticed that Rhule was on stage with folk-and-country singer Zach Bryan on Monday night in Omaha. Interestingly, Rhule mentioned that he’s not necessarily in love with doing that sort of thing but does it in the name of building Nebraska’s brand. Makes sense.
***Keep those catches by freshman receiver Keelan Smith late in the spring game in mind. His athleticism was striking. I haven’t seen his dad, all-time Husker great Neil Smith, around. It’s possible that the elder Smith comes around and keeps a low profile – which is also Dominic Raiola’s style.
-Steven Sipple
Munson’s musings
***The portal news has been limited out of Lincoln, but Borders hitting the portal was big news. I have had a little time since the news broke to dig, and Sean was right about it during the chat. Borders is looking to move to a larger market. It sounds like UCLA is a very likely destination, as he wants to pursue a path to become more of an “influencer.”
***Nebraska just had a big visitor weekend, but the big story for me was Dawson Merritt moving up his previous official visit date for the spring game. Just two weeks ago, I thought Merritt was Nebraska’s to lose. The post-visit interview practically wrote itself. Merritt is a walking, talking quote machine.
And then he visited Alabama.
The predictions from national experts started to roll in for Alabama. That amazing visit to Nebraska seemingly wasn’t even a memory. I even sent him as tough of a question over text message as I have to a recruit because the prediction, honestly, didn’t make sense to me. I asked him if Nebraska had as little of a chance as some think and if he was really trending to Alabama.
He didn’t answer.
A few days later, the news broke that Merritt was moving up his visit, and I was very interested to know why. Part of his answer was in my post-official visit article. He also included something else that would indicate how serious he and his family are about the possibility of going to Nebraska.
His father works for the Kansas City Chiefs. The NFL Draft was held during the same time as the spring game and Merritt’s official visit.
Merritt may have been open, but Dad had to work. Dawson told me that his father had a conversation with Andy Reid to get approval to skip work last weekend. Based on the lengths that Merritt and his father went through to move up the Lincoln visit, it was clear NU was very much in the picture even before he said it was neck and neck with Alabama.
***Nearly all of the recruits I spoke with about the spring game mentioned Dylan Raiola. It was wild. They offered their opinions about how Dylan played the game, how cool he was in person, and how down-to-earth he was when they were hanging out with him away from campus. Raiola is punching the right buttons. His assistance as a recruiter, combined with the staff’s help with the official visitors this past weekend, could be a successful combination.
***There is a feeling that Nebraska would have liked to have a chance to host Amarion Jackson this summer for camp to evaluate him for an offer. Jackson, who had over 1,000 yards receiving as a sophomore at Millard South last year, picked up offers from Iowa State and Iowa this week. Rhule and NU have tried to typically get out in front of these types of offers from regional schools. When other teams offer first, it can get twisted quickly. It makes it seem that those schools realized Jackson was worthy before the Huskers. It’s a problematic narrative to find yourself up against.
***I took wide receiver Braswell Thomas off this weekend’s visitor list. I finally connected with him on Thursday night, and he said they could not make the trip. He already has or had an official visit set to see NU on June 14. Still, Thomas’s official visit might be dependent on first unofficially visiting Lincoln.
He noted that some things have recently “changed” with Nebraska, as it isn’t showing as much attention as it was before the spring game. But he said he did finally hear from the Husker staff this week. He would like to work towards a way that would allow him to take that official visit. He would also consider coming to a summer camp to work out for the coaches.
-Bryan Munson
Washut’s Nebrasketball news & notes
***Rienk Mast’s decision to undergo season-ending knee surgery was undoubtedly disappointing, but it wasn’t a surprise for Nebraska.
It became evident weeks ago that Mast was likely returning to NU. The more pressing question was whether he could do so and play next season without surgery.
Mast got several opinions, and nearly all suggested it was in his best interest – both for the short and long term – to fix the issue for good.
I’m told that Fred Hoiberg and his staff constantly communicated with Mast and went into the offseason preparing to potentially be without him in 2024-25.
That’s why Andrew Morgan was their first in-home visit of the spring and why landing Braxton Meah was such a critical addition.
***The plan is to add an immediate impact four with one of their two available scholarships. It would be ideal if that power forward could have at least two seasons of eligibility.
They could possibly add a developmental five for more post depth, but my guess is the Huskers will keep that final spot open.
***As for who that power forward might be, I have not heard any reportable names as of this morning. However, I was told earlier this week that Nebraska was keeping an eye on guys who hadn’t yet entered the portal.
That might narrow down the list of potential targets a bit. But again, I haven’t heard any specific names yet.
I do get the sense that they’re looking for more of a stretch four than a true power forward. With Mast sidelined, they need another big who can open up a defense as a 3-point threat.
***One possible player to watch is former San Diego State forward Elijah Saunders, who entered the portal on Tuesday. He’s the one recent transfer I can confirm Nebraska has contacted.
However, NU was among several schools that did so, and Saunders has scheduled visits to Washington, Virginia, and Clemson. In portal recruiting, your odds are usually slim if you’re not among the first three visits.
***The more I hear, the more I believe there was a real chance – if only briefly – that Chucky Hepburn, Frankie Fidler, and William Kyle III could have reunited at Nebraska. The problem was that the window didn’t stay open very long.
I’ve heard from several people close to the Bellevue West trio that there were legitimate conversations about committing to NU together. However, that all changed when Louisville got involved with Hepburn.
Once that happened, the package deal pretty much fell apart, and the players all decided to take their own paths. What could have been…
***News on Nebraska’s 2024-25 schedule rolled out this week. The Huskers’ trip to the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii was finally announced, as were their Big Ten matchups.
Here is what we know of NU’s upcoming schedule:
Saturday, Nov. 9 – Bethune-Cookman
Sunday, Nov. 17 – TBA (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Friday, Nov. 22 – at Creighton
Wednesday, Nov. 22 – South Dakota
Diamond Head Classic – Dec. 22, 23, and 25 – Opponents TBD
(Known field: Oregon State, Loyola-Chicago, Charlotte, Charleston, two others TBA)
Big Ten matchups
Home: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa #, Maryland #, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State #, Rutgers, UCLA, USC
Away: at Iowa #, at Maryland #, at Michigan State, at Northwestern, at Oregon, at Ohio State #, at Penn State, at Purdue, at Washington, at Wisconsin
#-Double-Play Opponents
-Robin Washut
Abby’s assists
***Harper Murray is no longer on the USA U21 Volleyball team. Pittsburgh outside hitter Blaire Bayless will replace Murray on the training team.
Murray’s absence on the U21 team is likely due to her DIU, among other infractions.
Whether the outside hitter will play during Nebraska’s spring game is unknown. Husker head coach John Cook said all 12 players on the roster would be available, but he couldn’t say who would play.
Bergen Reilly, Laney Choboy, Olivia Mauch, and Andi Jackson will represent Nebraska on the U21 team. Husker commits Teraya Sigler and Campbell Flynn will also try to make the roster. Jaylen Reyes will be an assistant coach on the team.
***Nebraska Women’s Basketball guard Allison Weidner has been cleared to return to practice after two significant injuries. Weidner tore her left ACL against Kansas in the 2022-23. She then tore her right ACL during practice before the 2023-24 season.
If Weidner returns to health, she could have a huge role next season. With Jaz Shelley moving on to the WNBA, NU needs Weidner as an experienced guard who can shoot and pass at a high level.
***Husker volleyball added its fifth and very likely final piece of their class of 2025. Manaia Ogbechie is a 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, Calif. PrepVolleyball.com has her No. 90 in her class, and PrepDig.com ranks her 123rd.
Nebraska needed another middle blocker on its 2025 roster. 2024 MB Ayden Ames flipped from the Huskers to Texas. They added Leyla Blackwell, who will play her final season in Lincoln after three seasons at San Diego.
The Huskers will have Rebekah Allick (senior), Jackson (junior), and Ogbechie (freshman) during the 2025 season.
Nebraska currently has 12 scholarship players in 2025. Keri Leimbach will likely not be on scholarship during her first season. That is typical for freshmen defensive specialists. However, if we know anything about college athletics, there are bound to be more shake-ups beyond three departing seniors.
Here is the scholarship breakdown for the 2025 season:
NamePositionYearTaylor LandfairOHSeniorHarper MurrayOHJuniorSkyler PierceOHSophomoreTeraya SiglerOHFreshmanRyan HunterOPPFreshmanRebekah AllickMBSeniorAndi JacksonMBJuniorManaia OgbechieMBFreshmanBergen ReillySJuniorCampbell FlynnSSophomoreMaisie Boesiger*DS/LSeniorLaney ChoboyDS/LJuniorOlivia MauchDL/LSophomoreKeri LeimbachDS/LFreshman
*-Walk-on
-Abby Barmore
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