6 wishlist targets for Nebraska football in transfer portal

So far, much of the focus has been on the players who have departed Nebraska football via the transfer portal. But the Huskers can make additions too, which should start happening relatively soon.

Nebraska football has been active in handing out offers and setting up visits. New players enter the portal daily, except for Dylan Raiola, who confirmed he isn’t going anywhere, so the list of targets is constantly being updated.

However, some clear priorities have emerged. Nebraska is targeting wide receiver as a position of need as four wideouts have been offered already. EDGE is another position that’s emerging along with linebacker.

Nebraska has offered multiple players at all three of those positions. It’s clear the Huskers want some help in the secondary too, and they have even targeted a long snapper — another huge need.

Of course, Nebraska football won’t get every player it targets. Yet, if there was a wishlist for the Huskers in the transfer portal, here’s who would be on it.

Williams Nwaneri, EDGE

You can’t have a Nebraska transfer portal wishlist without the former five-star EDGE from Missouri. Williams Nwaneri signed with Missouri out of high school but had just two tackles and one sack last season.

The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder has immense talent. He also played for Jamar Mozee, who is currently on the Nebraska football coaching staff.

Williams Nwaneri isn’t a proven commodity but after the Huskers lost some talented pass rushers to the portal, it’s clear they are focused on adding EDGE talent.

Nwaneri would take the cake. D.J. Wesolak is another to watch. Nebraska football probably needs more than one, but Nwaneri has to be the top priority. He’s the kind of elite D-lineman the Huskers haven’t had in a long time.

Johntay Cook II, WR

Nebraska is in the mix for a few wide receivers. Honestly, the Huskers could afford to take more than one but I have my eye on Johntay Cook, the borderline five-star recruit (38th overall) in the 2023 class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. He only played in six games this season. In two seasons for Texas, he caught 16 passes for 273 yards.

That’s not out of this world but Cook would be the most talented receiver on the roster. He’s already scheduled for a visit and a group of receivers headlined by Cook, Jacorey Barney, and Cortez Mills would be like nothing Nebraska football fans have ever seen.

Dane Key, the former Kentucky wideout would be a great addition too, and probably more realistic since Oregon and Texas A&M are after Cook. Key has more college production and played for new wide receivers coach Dakiel Shorts.

Either way, this WR room needs a veteran or two heading into next season, which leads me to the next dude on the wishlist.

Duce Robinson, WR

Nebraska has some big wide receivers on the roster but none of them are proven. We have heard good things about Quinn Clark but with Duce Robinson hitting the portal, the Huskers have to do their due diligence.

Dylan Raiola and Robinson nearly teamed up in high school.  The 6-foot-6 wideout is a freak athlete. There was even talk of him playing professional baseball at one point.

In two seasons with USC, Robinson caught 39 passes for 747 yards and seven touchdowns. He caught four passes for 90 yards against Nebraska.

If Nebraska adds Robinson, he might be the only receiver they need. But if they added someone like Cook or Key, Robinson could be the perfect complement. He would also take some pressure off Cortez Mills needing to make an immediate impact, even though I believe he will.

Throw Carter Nelson in the mix and Dana Holgorsen would have an abundance of toys.

Jamaal Jarrett, DT

Nebraska football needs a replacement for Nash Hutmacher. That player isn’t on the roster. One player that the Huskers should consider is Jamaal Jarrett, a 6-foot-5, 350-pounder who played 11 games this past season for Georgia.

The top-100 recruit coming out of high school has played in 14 career games. He had six tackles as a reserve in 2023, plus three pressures this past season.

Jarrett needs more snaps and Nebraska could offer him a starting job. It’s going to take a big NIL deal to get a 350-pounder from SEC country, but this might be the biggest need on the entire roster.

Nebraska has to get a nose tackle and Jarrett could lock down the job for multiple years.

Isaiah World, OT

I’ve been on record saying Nebraska needs an offensive tackle in the portal, badly. There are some talented young options on the roster like Grant Brix and Preston Taumua.

But relying on second-year starters on the offensive line can be a gamble. The lack of experience and depth is worrisome, so why not add a 35-game starter from the Mountain West?

Nebraska football has offered 6-foot-8, 305-pound offensive tackle Isaiah World of Nevada who earned Honorable Mention in the Mountain West after 13 starts this past season.

World is going to have a huge market. NIL will be a factor but Nebraska needs a pass protector and World would be an ideal one-year option.

Long snapper

Poor long snaps might have cost Nebraska football two games this season. Matt Rhule can’t let that happen again and to his credit, the Huskers have offered Kevin Gallic, an FCS All-American long snapper from New Hampshire.

Believe it or not, Nebraska isn’t the only team after him though. A bunch of programs have offered yet Gallic said he was going to visit Lincoln and if that happens, I feel strongly Nebraska can seal the deal.

This needs to be a top priority and if you add a long snapper to some of the other dudes on the wishlist, it would be a perfect haul for Nebraska in the transfer portal.

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