Husker Big Red Daily: A new RB1 candidate, 2029 QB priority, plus baseball roster movement

Welcome to Husker Big Red Daily, your daily stop for the latest Nebraska football news, recruiting buzz, transfer portal updates, and Huskers headlines. Here’s a quick look at the latest storylines surrounding Nebraska athletics.

Nebraska football has a new running back in the RB1 conversation after Tikey Hayes joined the team out of the transfer portal. 

Hayes entered the portal after one season with Penn State. He had three carries for 18 yards in the bowl game, while also showing off some solid pass-block skills. He has four years of eligibility, and in the eyes of some, including long-time Nebraska columnist Steve Sipple, who suggested Hayes could start.

At the very least, he could work his way into the mix.

“I will jump the gun on a lot of stuff. What I’m saying is: This (Tikey Hayes) could be your starter. He could be… what would set any of those (current Nebraska RBs) apart from Hayes?… Now, why do I say that? Because he’s good!” Sipple said on 93.7 The Ticket on Wednesday. 

Hayes starting, at least right away, seems like a long shot. I’ve still got Mekhi Nelson or Jamal Rule, with Isaiah Mozee set to play a key role off the bench, getting 10-15 touches per game as a runner/receiver.

The running back room has more depth, though, which is a big positive.

2029 QB Nebraska football fans need to know

Trae Taylor is ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2027 class. That’s a massive development for the Huskers. Taylor won the Elite 11 MVP.

Nebraska football has started to focus on a quarterback in 2028, but the next big-time get could be in 2029. The target is Lord Malik Heru, who threw for over 3,000 yards as a freshman last season. Heru was offered last month and told Bryan Munson of Husker Online that Nebraska made a positive impression. He also plans to visit again during the fall.

Heru had 40 touchdown passes last season, too. Alabama offered a week after Nebraska, with Auburn and Vanderbilt following. Yet, the Gameday visit is important. It could give the Huskers an early leg up. They built an early advantage with Trae Taylor, which led to a major commitment.

Maybe the same thing will happen with Heru, who could be the next big quarterback recruit for Nebraska football.

Baseball roster movement

After Case Sanderson announced his return on Tuesday, the Huskers suffered a loss as Mac Moyer signed with the San Diego Padres. Moyer hit .353 last season and would have had a major role in the 2027 season for Nebraska baseball. Grant Cleavinger, a Nebraska reliever, also signed with the Chicago White Sox. He didn’t have any eligibility.

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