Steven Sipple: Matt Rhule successfully walks tightrope in discussions about Nebraska QBs
Things I know, and things I think I know: As his session with media wound down Saturday, Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg was asked a critical question: Does he approach this summer as the team’s No. 1 quarterback, or as a backup trying to overtake the No. 1 QB?
His answer provided a window into his competitive mindset.
“I’m approaching it as I’m the incumbent,” he said. “I’m going to keep working as the starter.”
A 6-foot-5, 215-pound junior from Kearney, Haarberg was 5-3 as Nebraska’s starter last season after Jeff Sims faltered badly. Sims is gone, as is Chubba Purdy. Now it’s a competition involving Haarberg and two touted freshmen — Dylan Raiola and Daniel Kaelin.
Haarberg said both Raiola and Kaelin are competing hard, “and that’s what’s going to drive this room to be great — all of us every day competing for that No. 1 spot, each of us having the mindset that we’re going to be the starter.”
The Weekly Rundown: Putting a wrap on a home run weekend for Nebraska
Nebraska needs Haarberg to stay in the fold
This is where we need to give voice to two competing realities. One, it’s become eminently clear that Raiola — who was superb in Saturday’s Red-White Spring Game — has the inside track to the starting job. The second reality is this: Nebraska needs Haarberg to stay in the fold and out of the dreaded transfer portal. My read is, he’ll stay put.
Haarberg also looked good on Saturday. His 61-yard completion to tight end Nate Boerkircher — an absolute bullet down the seam — was one of the prettiest plays during a day full of them. Yes, most definitely, Nebraska needs Haarberg in the QB room. He has a big, veteran presence. He can legitimately push Raiola daily, and also provide an all-important security blanket — especially as the youngster Kaelin continues to learn the ropes.
We all know the perils of the physical Big Ten. Chances are a backup QB will be needed in a key moment or moments.
As for those competing realities, Nebraska second-year coach Matt Rhule is playing the situation perfectly. That’s my read, anyway. He’s effusive in his praise of Haarberg, who obviously needs to improve on his 49% completion rate from last season. But he’s easily the best runner of the team’s three scholarship QBs, and he does looked improved as a passer, as Rhule points out.
Rhule, though, also keeps it real in discussing Raiola’s obvious talents.
Long story short, Rhule is in no rush to name a starting quarterback. He likes the room as it is, or so it seems based on his comments. He’s convincing in saying Nebraska is going to need multiple quarterbacks, and Haarberg sounds ready to compete in 2024 for his home-state school.
Sure, he might find a starting job elsewhere, in a less-prestigious conference. But his value for Nebraska is enormous, and he seems genuinely happy here.
“We’re going to work together,” Haarberg said of the QBs, “but at the same time compete.”
Coach offers insight into NU’s portal plans at QB
Although Rhule likes his quarterback group, that doesn’t mean he’s completely closed to the idea of adding one from the portal.
“I think we have our starter sitting in that room right now, let me say that,” he said. “I think we have three guys we believe in. But if a young player comes along, or a ‘depth’ player comes along … you know, I don’t go looking in the portal, but I’m also not stupid.”
If there’s a good fit, he’d be silly to rule it out.
“But I think we have quarterbacks capable of winning for us, and I think the quarterback play is significantly improved from last season,” Rhule said.
That certainly was my read from the Red-White Game.
Rhule’s tampering comments raise eyebrows
I’m generally amazed by the amount of tampering in college football. So, yes, Rhule’s comments on the subject Saturday raised my eyebrows.
I’m also amazed by many people’s attitudes toward the subject. This is just my perception, but there’s a lot of shoulder shrugging going on. We do a lot of that in this world these days. We see something that’s blatantly wrong, shrug our shoulders and say, “What are you going to do?”
One thing I can do write Rhule’s comments. He says “every team in the country” is trying to steal Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone from the roster. Rhule is exaggerating, but you get the point.
“It is what it is. It is what it is,” Rhule said. “They’re going to call (Demitrius) Bell and say, ‘Come here.’ But when he’s hurt, who’s with him? We are. I’ve just got to coach them all like they’re my younger brother. I don’t want to say ‘sons’ because that’s a weird dynamic.”
Rhule does coach players hard. He also tries to give them advice, as an older brother would do. He listens to them. But, hey, sometimes another team offers so much money “that you’ve got to leave,” Rhule said.
“It’s a sad state (of affairs), I’ll just say that,” the Nebraska coach said.
I appreciate him saying that. Heck, I appreciate anyone saying it.
Maybe it’ll lead to some change.
Or maybe people will just keep shrugging their shoulders.
Raiola and Barney talented roommates
So, it turns out Raiola and speedy wide receiver Jacory Barney are close friends and roommates. That was an interesting revelation by Raiola on Saturday considering both are immensely talented rookies in the program.
In fact, they’re arguably the most exciting freshmen on the team, at least until Carter Nelson arrives this summer.
As for Raiola and Barney, “We wake up in the morning at the same time pretty much every day, and he makes a choice to go be great,” Raiola said of the 6-foot, 170-pound Barney.
Barney, a Miami native, also was superb Saturday.
“He’s got a different kind of speed,” Raiola said. “He’s got a chip on his shoulder; he plays tremendously hard. What he did (Saturday), I’m not surprised by it. He’s been doing it all spring.”
Borders seemingly built momentum at NU
Chief Borders also enjoyed a strong spring for Nebraska, with Rhule at one point calling him “probably the most improved player on our team.”
Borders transferred to Nebraska from Florida before the 2023 season and immediately made a positive impression in winter conditioning with his character and work ethic.
So, yes, his decision to enter the portal was somewhat surprising.
On the other hand, he plays a position — the “Jack” — that also has senior MJ Sherman (16 tackles in 2023) and a rising star in sophomore Princewill Umanmielen (22).
Borders, who had nine tackles last season, graduates in May. Based on what I’ve heard, his split with Nebraska was an amicable one.
Some program will get a good player and apparently a pretty good dude.
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