3 ideal spring transfer portal targets for Nebraska football

Get ready for transfer portal madness, although the spring window should be relatively tame for Nebraska football. The Huskers are expected to lose some players, mostly due to roster limits, and aren’t expected to be a huge player.

Matt Rhule did say Nebraska football would look to add one or two players if it was the right fit and the right opportunity. At this point, with so many players on the roster and uncertainty about the 105-man roster limit this fall, whether there will be one or not, I don’t see Nebraska adding fringe contributors.

If the Huskers are going to make any additions this spring, it should be a clear upgrade at a position of need. There are a few quality candidates out there to add to the roster, though, at offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and running back — the three positions where more depth is needed.

Here are three players in the spring transfer portal Nebraska football should consider.

Joe Cotton, OT South Dakota

Nebraska football fans always want the Huskers to add some offensive linemen, but the program could use another starting-caliber tackle, and one became available this week in Joe Cotton.

The 6-foot-7, 315-pound all-conference player for South Dakota is attracting a ton of attention in the portal. Michigan, Penn State, USC, Wisconsin, and a bunch of other programs are in the mix. Wisconsin and Cincinnati are expected to host him for a visit.

But why not Nebraska football? The Huskers have a need, a talented roster, and a proven quarterback — proven to the point that we know Dylan Raiola can produce at the Big Ten level.

This team could be a playoff contender, and Cotton could help it get there. There might not be any NIL leftover after adding Rocco Spindler and Elijah Pritchett, but if there is, Cotton would be worth spending it on.

Cotton is ranked No. 113 overall in the 2025 transfer portal rankings and is 16th among offensive tackles. Those rankings also include the winter transfer portal prospects.

De’Marion Thomas, DT Vanderbilt

Nebraska football still hasn’t replaced Nash Hutmacher from last season’s roster. Riley Van Poppel can fill the shoes of Ty Robison. Elijah Jeudy is no slouch. Neither is Keona Davis, but Nebraska could still use a massive run-stuffer in the middle.

And Vanderbilt’s De’Marion Thomas would fill that role perfectly. The 6-foot-3, 332-pounder started 13 games for the Commodores last season as a true sophomore, finishing with 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.

Thomas is known as a run-stuffer, which is exactly what Nebraska needs. The Huskers have talent, but they don’t have much starting experience on the defensive front, so trying to add a 13-game starter from the SEC makes sense.

Josh McCray, RB Illinois

Nebraska football coaches have expressed confidence in their running backs. Rhule even said he didn’t think the Huskers needed to add a running back.

However, you wonder if Josh McCray, the entry from Illinois, will change things. The 6-foot-1, 240-pounder would be the perfect complement for Emmett Johnson.

McCray could be the thunder to Johnson’s lightning. That duo would be dynamic. Adding McCray would also give the Huskers a proven No. 2 running back, one who had 609 yards on 117 carries last season (5.2 YPC) in the Big Ten. He rushed for 114 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Cheez-It Bowl in addition to rushing for 1,370 career yards (4.3 YPC). He’s also got three career 100-yard games, including two in the Big Ten as a freshman.

McCray wouldn’t be the starter. Yet, he would add a veteran to one of the most unproven running back rooms in the Big Ten. Outside of Johnson, Nebraska football returns just seven rushing attempts for nine yards in the backfield.

Kwinten Ives and Mekhi Nelson are talented. However, going into the season with them as your second and third running backs is a risk. That could be mitigated by adding McCray. It could hurt some feelings, but that’s why they call it show business, not show friends.

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