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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Nebraska’s Team Culture “Rhules” Over Portal Madness

Matt Rhule’s defiant stand against tampering with a better culture was a resounding success

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Aug 31
Aug 31

By Rock Westfall 

Matt Rhule’s defiant stand against tampering with a better culture was a resounding success. Chief Borders was the only notable Husker to hit the transfer portal. Now Nebraska turns its attention to the season ahead and Prime Revenge.

Thomas Fidone Stands Ground for Big Red  

During spring camp, Matt Rhule commented on how tight end Thomas Fidone has been the target of perpetual tampering attempts. But Fidone was never a threat to leave Nebraska. Fidone has repeatedly made it clear that he is a committed Husker and has no interest in leaving, especially with Nebraska poised for a breakout season in 2024. Fidone grew up in a family of Husker fans and is living the dream. After the spring game, Rhule showered Fidone with praise.

“He’s loyal. Every team in the country is trying to get him to leave and go there,” Rhule said. “The kid’s a Nebraska Cornhusker through and through. .. I love that guy. It’s so good for our players to see a guy who’s so obsessed with being great and never happy.”

With the exception of freshman phenom quarterback Dylan Raiola, no player on the Huskers is facing higher expectations than Fidone. Fidone ranked second in receptions for Nebraska last season while going through the growing pains of on-the-job training. Also, keep in mind that Fidone was coming off two ACL tears that slowed down his development.

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Fidone is investing time and effort to become great. In fact, Rhule said that Fidone wants to become the best tight end in the world. Scouts see Fidone as a freak physical specimen who has the potential to emerge as a dominant tight end in the mold of Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce. And with Raiola heading to KC to work with Patrick Mahomes, the comparisons of Raiola-Fidone to Mahomes-Kelce are impossible to avoid.

Malachi Coleman’s New Beginnings 

Malachi Coleman threw a scare at the Big Red Faithful this week with a seemingly cryptic X-post about “new beginnings,” which led to worries about Coleman entering the portal. As it turned out, the post was all about nothing. Coleman sent a subsequent post claiming that his “new beginnings” were all about the future of Nebraska football.

Coleman was the crown jewel of Matt Rhule’s first recruiting class. Rhule worked hard to earn Coleman’s commitment after the Lincoln East High School product de-committed when interim head coach Mickey Joseph was not retained after the 2022 season.

https://twitter.com/HuskersTopPlays/status/1765075053442715688

Coleman missed spring practice due to injury, keeping him out of the spring game. Coleman saw limited action as a freshman last year. Still, he averaged 17.4 yards per catch on eight receptions, which is indicative of his speed and big play potential, especially considering the QB room’s instability for Nebraska last year. It is expected that Coleman will emerge as a playmaking threat for Raiola. 

https://twitter.com/ChiColeman23/status/1785441053757395207

Veteran Offensive Line Takes Great Leap Forward To Become a Key Asset 

Often overlooked in the spectacular spring and Raiola hype was an experienced offensive line that could become a key asset for the Huskers. Nebraska showed improvement last year, but the Big Red expects an even greater presence in 2024.

With the hopes of Husker nation pinned on Raiola, a line that can protect the freshman phenom is essential for Nebraska’s success. On average, the Huskers starting O-line has nearly three years per player of starting experience. Nebraska linemen frequently say they came back to the Big Red for “unfinished business.”

Offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, Dylan’s uncle, has formed close bonds with his group. Donovan is teaching the unit new schemes to enhance protection for Dylan, who has completely changed the dynamics of the offense and its capabilities. By all accounts, Donovan is a demanding taskmaster, yet he is still revered by his group, a perfect combination emblematic of Rhule’s culture.

https://twitter.com/NBNRPodcast/status/1775905316590235708

Competition Formula Grows Improvement, Depth, and Confidence 

Despite the mania for Dylan Raiola, he has not yet officially been named the Nebraska starting QB. Matt Rhule is demanding that all players compete for every spot in the lineup and on the depth chart. And that spirit of competition is breeding noticeable improvement and confidence among the players.

When Rhule brought the Baylor program back from the ashes, he forced quarterback Charlie Brewer to continuously compete for his job. These tactics ignited Baylor’s run to a Sugar Bowl berth and program renaissance.

The combination of improved player quality and competition has made the Huskers better and deeper at almost every position. That is why when Chief Borders entered the portal, few were concerned. As much as Borders improved during spring camp, he still could not win a starting job either as a defensive lineman or at the Jack position.

Competition is keeping Raiola on his toes and is undoubtedly one of the reasons he wants to train with Mahomes. Dylan’s lack of entitlement and privilege is one of the reasons the true freshman is so respected and admired by teammates. Those traits are essential for a championship quarterback and epitomize Rhule’s leadership excellence. 

Prime Ironies for Big Red 

For the millions of real college football fans wanting an escape from the incessant tumult and chaos of Deion Sanders and his cult following, there is none to be found, especially for Big Red loyalists.

In the August 31 season opener against the UTEP Miners, Nebraska will encounter the presence of Xavier Smith, who has been in the news this week for his social media wars with Sanders & Sons. Smith did not like how Coach Prime handled him during his time in Boulder. In turn, Prime and his son Shedeur Sanders, the Buffs QB, were unnecessarily dismissive in their responses to Smith.

Last year, after Colorado beat Nebraska in Boulder, Shedeur took shots at Matt Rhule, claiming “disrespect.” But in typical Sanders & Sons form, standards of showing respect to others do not apply to Prime and his boys.

For a man who loves to wear his supposed Christian faith on his sleeve, Deion flashed more of his perpetual hypocrisy, as did Shedeur, by playing the respect card drawn from under his sleeve while giving none to others.

When Nebraska hosts Colorado on September 7, it will likely be the marquee event of the weekend. Husker fans have been talking about the game since last season ended. Now, with the 24/7 news cycle at CU and the momentum of a successful Nebraska spring performance, the showdown between the Huskers and Buffs will be the main topic of conversation in the Cornhusker State for the next four months. 

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