Nebraska football: It’s easy to believe in Matt Rhule

I’m going to preface this article by stating that I have no agenda to push here. I’m a Michigan State fan and alum and I don’t have any rooting interest in Nebraska football.

With that said, I am bullish on the Cornhuskers now and for the foreseeable future.

Why? Matt Rhule.

I’ll be the first to admit when Rhule flamed out with the Carolina Panthers, I thought that he might take that next step to Alabama to be part of Nick Saban’s coaching rehab program that he seems to run with “broken toys” in the coaching world.

However, Nebraska took a chance on him and it’s already paying massive dividends. He landed a slew of impressive transfers shortly after taking over for a fired Scott Frost and he has the No. 19 recruiting class in college football already in 2024. Taking over a dormant program and immediately pushing for a top 25 recruiting class is not easy. He deserves major props.

And he handled himself with all class and great quotes at his first Big Ten Media Days.

Nebraska football has a bright future

Rhule answered every question without using too much coachspeak, he admitted that Nebraska football used to be feared and he wants to get back to that, and he knows he has a tough job ahead of him.

But based on how he recruits and knowing his past as a program builder at the college level, it’s easy to see why fans are so excited. This excitement feels different than the Frost excitement. That was more of a “never meet your heroes” situation where the hometown kid comes home to revitalize a struggling program only to leave it in a worse spot than he found it.

This excitement around Rhule feels more genuine. He has connected with the people of Nebraska, he has found a new home, he’s crushing it on the recruiting trail, and he knows how to win big.

Folks, Nebraska is about to be back.