3 thoughts on Dane Key’s commitment to Nebraska football

Christmas came early for Nebraska football on Tuesday as the Huskers landed the commitment of Dane Key, one of the top players available in the transfer portal.

After losing Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor to graduation, Nebraska football needed to reload at wide receiver and the Huskers certainly did that with Nyziah Hunter from Cal and now Key, who is ranked 10th overall and No. 1 among wide receivers according to 247 Sports.

Last season, with Kentucky, Key caught 47 passes for 715 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound wide receiver also considered Georgia, among many others, but the experienced wideout with 126 career receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns decided to come play with Dylan Raiola.

Here are three thoughts on a massive commitment for Nebraska football.

Nebraska football will have an elite wide receiver group

The Huskers will have one of the most dynamic wide receiver groups in the country next season. Key, Hunter, and Jacory Barney were all proven producers last season. Nebraska also has uber-talented recruits such as Carter Nelson, Isaiah Mozee, and Cortez Mills waiting in the wings, plus Jalen Lloyd and Quinn Clark.

Flat out, the Huskers are loaded with talent. They have size, speed, and playmakers everywhere. Outside of Oregon and Ohio State, this might be the best WR room in the Big Ten next season.

Dylan Raiola is a draw

Nebraska football is willing to spend NIL money to get talent. There’s no debate about that after some of the additions the Huskers have made so far or the fact they were willing to pay Isaiah World more than Oregon.

But there’s another draw to Nebraska for wide receivers and other players outside of NIL and it’s Dylan Raiola. The former five-star quarterback had a solid freshman season. He’s poised for a breakout season in 2025 and plenty of coaches/players are hitching their wagon to the 6-foot-3 quarterback.

Nebraska probably doesn’t land Hunter or Key without him.

Huskers are doing serious work in the portal

Nebraska has now landed a top-5 player at linebacker, EDGE, and wide receiver. Hunter and Key were targeted by a ton of programs. Dasan McCullough and Williams Nwaneri could have gone anywhere they wanted.

In terms of transfer rankings, Nebraska has four of the top 73 overall (according to 247 Sports) and it has six new starters (counting long-snapper and punter).

It’s been an impressive haul. Andrew Marshall, the Idaho cornerback has been projected to the Huskers too, and could be committing soon too.

Nebraska is serious about winning right now and it shows.

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