Matt Rhule defends Nebraska not holding a spring game

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule defended his program’s decision to hold a traditional spring game during the 2025 offseason.

According to Rhule, he’s not putting his players at risk for any reason this coming spring.

“Our game last year was televised,” Rhule explained. “A ton of people watched it, and then on Monday, it was, ‘Hey coach. I got a call from so and so.’ You think about the risk-reward when we’re paying players already, and then with the portal in spring, some guys will graduate, it’s just — I just don’t know that I want to showcase for people what’s out there.

“Plus, [we have] two new coordinators. Like, why let them see it?”

That doesn’t mean Nebraska won’t have some sort of spring showcase during the preseason. Rhule cited the new NFL Pro Bowl format as a possibility for the Cornhuskers moving forward.

“We’ll go out there and we’ll have 7-on-7 competitions. We’ll probably bring back some former players, we’ll do some skills challenge,” Rhule said. “We’ll do all those things because I do want all the kids across the state of Nebraska who maybe can’t get to a game, to be able to come and sit in Memorial Stadium and watch their players.”

With Nebraska utilizing this model, fans can see their favorite players in a new light with their helmets off. This provides fans an opportunity to witness up close an additional layer of personality for the players on Nebraska’s roster. An opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise receive, it’s also a chance for them to showcase their new roster members to the Huskers’ fanbase.

Rhule said that Nebraska won’t exactly shy away from physicality during spring training, but they don’t want teams getting film on his roster, whether that be for scouting or recruiting. That’s especially the case given the spring transfer portal window is set to open for 10 days from April 16-25, and many programs will have their spring games around the same time.

Additionally, Nebraska lost both wide receiver Demitrius Bell and cornerback Blye Hill with injuries during the spring game last season. Not only is this helping conceal the Huskers’ new concepts and protecting his players from the transfer portal — but it’s keeping his players healthy.

Still, it seems as though Nebraska is doing everything in its power to keep its players healthy and away from the transfer portal. This is supported given the non-traditional spring showcase is slated for April 26 — one day after the spring window closes.