3 thoughts on Nebraska’s transfer portal craziness

The transfer portal has officially gone mad. Nebraska football fans thought it was just them, and the whole Kenny Minchey fiasco, but that’s nothing compared to Demond Williams.

Williams, who starred for Washington last season, signed a deal to return as the Huskies’ starting quarterback, only to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday night.

This is the new world of college football, and it stinks. Nobody should like this, except for the Texas Techs of the world, which are suddenly relevant due to all that oil money.

Regardless, Matt Rhule cleaned up the mess that was Kenny Minchey going to Kentucky with expert timing. Nebraska football needed another quarterback, and acted quickly to secure Anthony Colandrea, the 19th-ranked QB in the portal via Rivals. 247 Sports has him ranked 22nd.

The Huskers also landed Tree Babalade (OT), Will Hawthorne (LB), Dexter Foster (LB), Dwayne McDougle (S), and Colandrea (QB) — all on the same day, Tuesday.

Nebraska has seven transfer portal commitments total, and here are three thoughts on all the craziness so far.

Nebraska made the best of a bad situation

One thing Nebraska couldn’t do is have a starting quarterback who was doing on-the-job training this season. That would have been Minchey to a point. Nebraska was placing a big bet on his upside, but the fact he could have been the starter for the next two years was an added bonus.

There’s a reason Minchey was ranked among the top-10 transfer quarterbacks. He’s got a higher ceiling than Colandrea. Who knows, Minchey could be the steal of the transfer cycle. Or, he could be a complete bust.

There was always a little unknown. There is less of that with Colandrea, who is a 5-foot-11. That doesn’t mean he can’t succeed. Its just a reminder that this is a different quarterback. He can run, with over 600 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Colandrea was the Mountain West Player of the Year. That doesn’t mean he will be Big Ten Player of the Year, but if Curt Cignetti has taught us anything, it’s that production matters. This kid has it, throwing for over 7,500 yards. Yes, he has 29 interceptions, including at least nine in each college season. He also had 61 career touchdowns, and has accounted for 8,693 total yards.

The interception issue is probably not going to fix itself next season, although it could. There’s a little gunslinger mentality. He tries to do too much at times, but after a statue at QB for two seasons, it will be nice to have a playmaker at quarterback.

All in all, Matt Rhule made the best of a bad situation.

The O-line is better

Nebraska fans have been clamoring for the program to improve the offensive line. Not only did Rhule hire two offensive line coaches, but he also landed solid players at guard and tackle.

Brendan Black will be a plug-and-play starter. He’s started over 30 games, and will be just fine as Rocco Spindler’s replacement. Tree started the last five games at right tackle for South Carolina. I see him as this year’s Elijah Pritchett.

Pritchett improved the offensive line. Babalade can, too. Then, Nebraska guys like Grant Brix, Gunnar Gottula, Gibson Pyle, and others can compete for the other guard spot. There is some depth, and a chance for guys to continue to develop.

Defensive upgrades

Rob Aurich clearly wanted some different players in the linebacker room. Depth was an issue. Now, it’s not. Owen Chambliss can be expected to start. At least one would think. That leaves another spot for Vincent Shavers, Dexter Foster, who was just added from Oregon State, Hawthorne, the Iowa State transfer, as well as Christian Jones and Dawson Merritt.

Some of these guys, Chambliss, Merritt, and Shavers in particular, could be used to help supplement the pass rush. Chambliss had four sacks last season. Merritt was a Jack, which isn’t quite an EDGE in Nebraska’s old defense, but it was similar.

Either way, the linebacker room is better. McDougle will be a nice addition to the secondary, too. He adds familiarity, and a ball-hawking presence with six career interceptions, with four last season.

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