5 most impactful newcomers for Nebraska football in 2024

Whether it’s incoming transfers or high school recruits, Nebraska football added some talented pieces to the roster this offseason. Here are five who’ll make instant impacts.

There is a lot of hype surrounding the Nebraska football team, even though the Huskers are fresh off a 5-7 season, which ended with a four-game losing streak.

Yet, Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule has done a masterful job adding to the roster this offseason. Key players were retained on defense, and important needs such as quarterback and wide receiver were addressed on the offense, as well as the offensive line.

I believe the transfer portal is best used to supplement your roster. With just six additions via the portal, Matt Rhule seems to believe that too, especially after he signed more than 30 high school recruits some of them even as preferred walk-ons (using NIL to cover scholarship costs).

The 2024 recruiting class will define the Matt Rhule era at Nebraska and when you include the 2024 transfers, here are five newcomers who’ll have a big impact this season for the Huskers.

5. Carter Nelson, top-100 recruit

We’ll start on offense and freak athlete Carter Nelson. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end who runs the 40 in 4.5 isn’t enrolling early. He’s playing hoops right now but I still expect him to be an impact player for Nebraska football as a freshman.

Nelson showed in the Polynesian Bowl that he could shine against elite competition. Rhule has talked about a “positionless” offense and using Nelson at running back, tight end, or in the slot could be part of the equation.

There is always an adjustment period going from high school to college, particularly when you play 8-man football. But Nelson isn’t an ordinary player. He’s extraordinary and he’ll be one of the newcomers to make a big impact by season’s end.

4. Isaiah Neyor, transfer WR

Nebraska needed to address the wide receiver position after Scott Frost totally botched recruiting at the position. The Huskers needed some playmakers and some dudes who can stretch the field.

The Huskers have guys who can do that like Malachi Coleman, and Jaylen Lloyd, as well as freshmen such as Jacory Barney, Isaiah McMorris, as well as Dae’Vonn Hall.

The trio of freshmen wideouts could work their way into the mix. It wouldn’t shock me at all if they developed around the same rate as Coleman and Lloyd, which means making an impact later in the season.

Part of that is because Neyor, Banks, Coleman, and Lloyd will be at the top of the depth chart. Neyor had 848 yards with Wyoming in 2021, before missing the entire 2022 season due to injury.

Neyor caught just one pass last season for Texas, but now that he’s 100 percent, I think there’s a decent chance he leads Nebraska football in receiving yards.

3. Jahmal Banks, transfer WR

Banks went over 600 yards receiving in each of the past two seasons for Wake Forest and his addition was one of the most important from the transfer portal. He’s 6-foot-3 and will give Dylan Raiola a proven target on the outside. He also didn’t see his numbers drop off last season without Sam Hartman who left to play for Notre Dame after the 2022 season.

With a five-star QB throwing him the ball,  I have a feeling that Banks will either lead Nebraska in receptions or at least be in the top 2-3. He’ll probably be among the top 3 in yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns, so yes, he’ll make a big impact in 2024.

2. Dante Dowdell, transfer RB

The former Oregon running back who ranked among the top 10 at his position according to the 247 Sports composite rankings coming out of high school, is another impactful addition for the Huskers.

Emmett Johnson did a solid job down the stretch last season. Gabe Ervin and Rahmir Johnson are also back in the mix, but the Huskers need a bell-cow and Dowdell can be that guy.

Nebraska hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since the first season of the Frost era back in 2018. Yet, behind an improved offensive line, thanks to the transfer addition of Micah Mazzccua, my prediction is that Dowdell eclipses that mark for the Huskers this season.

1. Dylan Raiola, 5-star QB

The biggest addition for Nebraska football this offseason was the signing of five-star QB Dylan Raiola. The Huskers flipped him from Georgia right before Early Signing Day and that’s a move that could drastically change the fortunes of the program immediately.

Nebraska quarterbacks accounted for 25 turnovers last season. If Raiola, say accounts for 10 this season, which would be a high number based on his high school career, the Huskers will win 8-9 games easily.

Not only that, the offense will be able to threaten defenses down the field in a way it hasn’t been able to for years. The offensive line is solid and Raiola is surrounded by playmakers, plus most of the key players are back from a top-20 scoring defense last season.

A great defense, a great quarterback, and a running game will take you a long way, which is a realistic formula for the Huskers in 2024.

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