If you remember from last offseason, Matt Rhule made waves by attacking the transfer portal. The Nebraska Cornhuskers landed 14 commitments last year and most contributed to the team’s success in certain spots. However, the Huskers won’t need as many portal pickups this offseason. As of now, Nebraska has three commitments, with a few more possibly on the way.
Here’s a look at all transfer portal commitments so far and potential commitments coming in the future.
Nebraska’s Transfer Portal Commitments So Far
Blye Hill (Sophomore CB – Saint Francis (PA))
Blye Hill was the Huskers’ first transfer portal commitment of the offseason, committing during the early signing day period. Hill played in nine games for the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash, racking up 21 total tackles, including one tackle for loss. He also recorded 2 interceptions and six pass breakups. Hill joins the Huskers to help fill a few holes, especially with Quinton Newsome graduating. He will have three years of eligibility left going into 2024.
Isaiah Neyor (Senior WR – Texas/Wyoming)
Isaiah Neyor is a third-time transfer wide receiver. Neyor, a 6-foot-3 and 215-pound wide receiver, gives Nebraska a much-needed big body and veteran experience. He started his career in Laramie, Wyoming, for the Wyoming Cowboys. After only appearing in one game in 2019, Neyor recorded eight catches for 248 yards in 2020. 2021 was his best season in his career, catching 44 passes for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns. He then entered the portal and committed to the Texas Longhorns and he was slated to have a big role in the offense. Unfortunately, Neyor suffered a torn ACL in preseason camp in 2022 and only played in one game in 2023.
As a sixth-year senior, he enters the wide receiver room alongside seniors Isaiah Garcia-Castenada and Alex Bullock to add veteran experience. Neyor also adds more depth to a receiver room that experienced many injuries last season.
He visited the campus in Lincoln last week as Husker quarterback signee Dylan Raiola, who also spent time on campus. Perhaps peer recruiting is going on. Regardless, it shows that Rhule’s plan for the program is heading in the right direction.
Dante Dowdell (Sophomore RB – Oregon)
Dante Dowdell, a 6-foot-2 and 215-pound four-star running back from the Oregon Ducks, committed to Nebraska on Saturday. Dowdell visited campus alongside Neyor and posted photos with Raiola on Instagram. Despite only rushing 17 times in 2023, he burned a year of eligibility but will have three years to play for the Huskers. Dowdell finished with only 90 yards and a touchdown through six games last season.
He comes to Nebraska and will have the opportunity to contribute in the run-and-pass game alongside junior Gabe Ervin Jr, sophomore Emmitt Johnson and senior Rahmir Johnson. The Huskers’ offense ran a ‘running back by committee’ in 2023 and should be similar in 2024.
Others?
Stefon Thompson (Junior LB – Syracuse)
Stefon Thompson, a 6-foot, 222-pound linebacker, has been a name Nebraska has had on its mind in the past couple of weeks, especially with the need for linebackers. With the losses of Luke Reimer, Nick Henrich and Eric Fields, Thompson would have an opportunity to start in defensive coordinator Tony White’s defense. It wouldn’t be the first time he could play in White’s defense. Thompson played for him and the Syracuse Orange for three seasons before White came to Nebraska. Despite visiting the Huskers, beating out the Florida State Seminoles for Thompson’s talents will be tough. However, as of late, he has been trending in Nebraska’s favor, but it will be something to watch in the coming weeks.
Jahmal Banks (Senior WR – Wake Forest)
Jahmal Banks is another player to watch for the Huskers. Banks was one of the first offers of the offseason in the transfer portal and he has had a few productive seasons for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. After two developmental seasons, Banks had a breakout in 2022, finishing with 42 catches for 636 yards and 9 touchdowns. In 2023, he finished with 59 catches for 653 yards and 4 touchdowns.
It should be an interesting month for Nebraska as Rhule and his staff start to recruit prospects for its 2025 class along with the transfer portal for the 2024 season. Undoubtedly, the Huskers will be a team to watch out for on the recruiting trails.
Main Image: © Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
