Malachi Coleman reaffirms commitment to Nebraska: 'I have no intention of entering the portal'

As the transfer portal window gets ready to close for college football, Nebraska fans saw one of last year’s top recruits share a cryptic post on social media. Malachi Coleman posted a quote on X that talked about “new beginnings,” leading to speculation about a potential transfer.

He emphatically shot that down a few hours later.

Coleman again posted on X to “clear things up” about what he meant, and he reaffirmed his commitment to Nebraska. He also clarified he meant the program’s future and alluded to his decision to stay close to home as a reason he loves the program so much.

To clear things up I have no intention of entering the portal. I am only speaking about the future of Nebraska Football. If you really want to know what this program means to me, check my pinned tweet. @HuskerFootball

— Malachi Coleman (@ChiColeman23) April 30, 2024

“To clear things up I have no intention of entering the portal,” Coleman wrote. “I am only speaking about the future of Nebraska Football. If you really want to know what this program means to me, check my pinned tweet.”

Coleman arrived at Nebraska last year as the highest-rated recruit of Matt Rhule’s first class. He initially committed when Mickey Joseph was the interim head coach and de-committed following the coaching change, but Rhule brought him back on board.

Coleman played in 11 games last season as a freshman, totaling eight receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. A product of Lincoln East High School, he was a four-star recruit and the No. 60 overall player from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was also the No. 1 recruit in the state of Nebraska.

Coleman missed spring practice with an injury and, as a result, didn’t participate in last week’s spring game. Still, he could be an exciting target for new quarterback Dylan Raiola, who had a strong showing on Saturday. The former five-star recruit completed 16 of 22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns as the quarterback competition with Heinrich Haarberg heats up.

In fact, the hype is already building.

“I’ve been around a long time here and I can’t recall ever an incoming guy, especially with the hype that he had, not only live up to it but exceeded in a lot of respects,” HuskerOnline’s Sean Callahan told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “… He had a pick that went off the jersey of a receiver and bounced in the air, so you really can’t pin that on him. But everything about it the way he managed it, his comfort level at the line of scrimmage, his touch on the deep ball and his ability to throw the ball into tight windows.

“I mean, there’s a lot to be optimistic going forward with Dylan Raiola running this Husker offense.”