Former Nebraska LB Mikai Gbayor expected to transfer to Missouri

Former Nebraska linebacker Mikai Gbayor is expected to transfer to Missouri, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Gbayor was a starter for the Cornhuskers, and totaled 73 tackles, three pass breakups and 1.5 sacks across two seasons. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

During the 2024 season, he played in all 12 regular season games for Nebraska and totaled 49 total tackles (20 solo), a sack, three PBU’s two fumble recoveries.

Before college, the Irvington, NJ native was a three-star recruit out of the 2021 recruiting class, per the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

Gbayor wasn’t the only player on Nebraska’s defense who announced their intention to enter the portal. DL Jimari Butler also decided to go the same route.

The news comes on the same afternoon that it was reported the Huskers agreed to a two-year deal with Dana Holgorsen to become the program’s full-time offensive coordinator. Head coach Matt Rhule brought Holgorsen to Lincoln late in the season, hoping to revitalize the unit. Now, the relationship will move forward in the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

The Huskers originally brought Holgorsen on as an offensive analyst but he was quickly promoted during this past regular season. He took over as the offensive coordinator and play-caller ahead of Nov. 16’s game against USC. Some improvements were shown, specifically against Wisconsin when the Huskers put up a season-high 44 points.

Hiring Holgorsen was a move by head coach Matt Rhule may have needed to make in order to keep star quarterback Dylan Raiola in Lincoln. Some, such as Robin Washut of On3’s Husker Online believes Raiola may have left the Huskers had there not been the addition.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

Barkley Truax contributed to this report