Mitch Sherman

LINCOLN, Neb. — Make no mistake, recruited five-star quarterback to start. And to start early in his career, quite possibly as soon as Aug. 31, when visits Memorial Stadium. But five practices into this spring, the Huskers have put the hype on hold. There is no talk, outwardly from Memorial Stadium at least, of a plan to distinguish any of the three scholarship QBs in camp above another. No stated timetable to identify QB1 exists. There’s no singling out of Raiola, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound tru…

LINCOLN, Neb. — Matt Rhule leaves no room for interpretation on his stance about the importance of visiting coaches and former players to Nebraska football. “This is their program,” the second-year coach said. Nebraska players stand on the shoulders of the people who helped train them and competed before them, according to Rhule. The Huskers hear his message during times like last week when more than 900 supporters, observers and recruits gathered in Lincoln amid the second week of spring practi…

LINCOLN, Neb. — In her three seasons at Nebraska, Ally Batenhorst played on two volleyball teams that came within one victory of the ultimate prize. In December, she started at outside hitter for the Huskers as for the national championship. Then in early January, Batenhorst took a deep breath and called her coach, John Cook. Advertisement “I was nervous,” she said. “The situation was unique. But you never know.” Batenhorst decided to leave the Huskers. The conversation with Cook came immediatel…

LINCOLN, Neb. — During this final week of spring practice at Nebraska, the search continues for clarity at two traditionally high-profile roster positions. The Huskers did what they could in 2023 with the resources on hand at quarterback and running back. Injuries and a barrage of turnover-related problems led to start eight players at the two spots. None of the six combinations lasted more than four games. Advertisement Nebraska scored 18 points per game and gained 5.1 yards per play, figures…

LINCOLN, Neb. — With a straight face after the Red-White game Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone said that not much has changed since the end of last season with the Huskers on offense. They’ve got most of the same plays, players and coaches, according to Fidone. “What’s changed the most,” he said, “is the way we carry ourselves and our confidence.” Advertisement A renewed confidence was evident in this final practice of the spring. Oh, and some important stuff change…

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Matt Rhule enjoyed a meal recently with Eric Crouch, the quarterback who won a Heisman Trophy with the Huskers in 2001. Over dinner, Crouch shared memories of his redshirt freshman season. It was 1998, the second year in Lincoln for Crouch and Bobby Newcombe, former prized recruits, and the fifth season for Monte Christo, a steady hand out of Kearney, Neb. Advertisement The Huskers needed them to win nine games. But what struck Rhule was Crouch’s explanation about…

LINCOLN, Neb. — The door to enter the transfer portal is closed. Unless a late entry slid through that’s gone noticed, will have seen the departure of nine scholarship players in the two offseason periods for undergraduate declarations. In this age of college football, that’s a low number — and a testament to the program that second-year coach Matt Rhule has built with the intention to maximize retention and development. Advertisement But in four months, Nebraska coaches will select a practice…

LINCOLN, Neb. — Under coach Matt Rhule, Nebraska laid out its blueprint last year to build a recruiting class: set the table in April, feast in June and enjoy dessert in December. The Huskers hope to fare as well the second time around. The Class of 2025 is Rhule’s third with the Huskers. But his first group of recruits, collected in a sprint to signing day and among holdovers who pledged to the former coaching staff, rates as an anomaly. Construction of the 2024 class created a standard. That 2…

When Royce Boehm, Monte Harrison’s high school football coach at Lee’s Summit (Mo.) West, heard that his ex-star wide receiver wanted to give it a go again on the gridiron, Boehm had a wild thought. Why not call the hometown Kansas City Chiefs and inquire about an opportunity? A former two-sport signee at Nebraska, Harrison spent the past decade in professional baseball. Advertisement His career fizzled after a season in Triple-A Nashville last year following his 76 plate appearances in the big…

LINCOLN, Neb. — When Marcus Satterfield joined Matt Rhule as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator 17 months ago he told the Huskers’ new coach about a nutritionist that he should try to hire. Instantly, Rhule’s curiosity jumped. “Satt’s one of those guys who is all football,” Rhule said. If Satterfield was talking about nutrition, Rhule figured he had discovered something special. So Rhule reached out to Kristin Coggin, who had spent the past six years at South Carolina — including the 2021 and ’22…