Another Nebraska football starter hits the portal, plus a Terrance Knighton update

Monday was a whirlwind day for Nebraska football. There was some positive news as the Huskers retained offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.

Nebraska football was also blindsided by the departure of Tony White to Florida State. Blindsided is the word that Matt Rhule used to describe the White’s exit in a team meeting on Monday night according to Sean Callahan of Husker Online.

Maybe White didn’t like Phil Snow looking over his shoulder. Or maybe he thinks that Florida State is the better path to a head-coaching job. We don’t know and it doesn’t matter.

What does is what happens next. ‘

One bit of good news, for now, is that Terrance Knighton is still on staff. Callahan reports that he was at the meeting — all of the coaches were except White — so take that for what it’s worth.

Nebraska football loses another starter to transfer portal

However, there was another player departure on Monday night as Mikai Gbayor, an 11-game starter for the Huskers this past season, has also entered the transfer portal.

Stefon Thompson and Gabe Ervin are understandable. Vincent Jackson is a young player who felt like he was going to be part of the rotation next season, but losing two defensive starters (Jimari Butler and Gbayor) is less than ideal.

Now, transfers were always going to happen. Gbayor and Butler are both solid starters but they are replaceable. Neither was going to be All-Big Ten by any means.

Yet, that doesn’t mean their departures don’t hurt. In terms of White, he was up and down as a defensive coordinator. There were good showings against Iowa, Colorado, and Ohio State. Rutgers too.

However, Indiana, USC, Illinois, Wisconsin, and UCLA had success against the Nebraska defense. Each of those teams scored at least 25 points.

Some important 2024 recruits such as Christian Jones and Malcolm Simpson have affirmed their commitments, despite all the movement.

Expect more movement in the portal. There’s going to be more staff changes but the key is Rhule getting a top-notch DC and making sure the best players on the roster aren’t poached.

Buckle up.

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