Matt Rhule confirms Nebraska WR Hardley Gilmore dismissed from team

Matt Rhule has clarified the status of Nebraska wide receiver Hardley Gilmore. According to the Cornhuskers head coach, he’s been dismissed from the team, per Mitch Sherman of The Athletic.

Gilmore followed fellow former Wildcats teammate and wide receiver Dane Key to Lincoln to play for Rhule earlier in the offseason. He was considering a return to Lexington, but Gilmore decided to join his cohort in Lincoln for the 2025 season. Evidently, it didn’t work out.

Moreover, Gilmore was a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class. That’s according to the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. 

He was the No. 387 overall recruiting in last year’s cycle, and the No. 56 wide receiver. He played in five games for Kentucky, so he was unable to preserve a redshirt and will have three years of eligibility remaining for his new team.

All told, Gilmore caught six passes for Kentucky in 2024. However, he was an explosive-play threat. The wide receiver totaled 153 yards and a touchdown during the regular season.

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In other news, Nebraska decided to hire New England Patriots executive Pat Stewart as their team’s general manager. He last served as the Patriots’ director of pro personnel and previously worked with the Carolina Panthers alongside Matt Rhule.

Now, his compensation has come to light, as the anticipation for another season begins to ramp up. According to Sean Callahan of Husker Online, Stewart’s salary will be $800,000.

Moreover, Stewart previously worked for the Patriots as a scout from 2007-17 before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. In 2020, he took over as the Panthers’ vice president of pro personnel and returned to New England in 2023. Stewart and Rhule also worked together at Western Carolina and Temple during their respective coaching careers.

Additionally, it’s also been reported that Nebraska’s prior GM, Sean Padden, is moving into a new role. He will be the assistant athletics director for strategic initiatives and will work closely with the salary cap and contract negotiations.