Matt Rhule on Nebraska wide receivers: 'I think it's one of our strongest positions'

One of Matt Rhule’s main focuses this offseason was to grow Nebraska‘s wide recieving corps.

It’s no headline that the Huskers struggled at that position, and Rhule has no issue admitting to it. That’s why heading into 2024, Rhule not only retained three of his top four wideouts from a year ago, but he also added some key pieces from the transfer portal to ensure his quarterback — whether it be five-star freshman Dylan Raiola or last year’s part-time starter Heinrich Haarberg — is given some added weapons out wide this fall.

“Let me start with Elliot Brown, who to me is like the glue in that room,” Rhule said. “We have a Unity Council and he gets overwhelmingly voted in. He’s the guy in that room that, as you’re bringing all these people, that helps everyone assimilate into our culture.”

Brown, an Omaha native, represents the heart and soul of the wide receiving corps. He’s been with the program since 2020 but wrapped up his sophomore season in 2023 thanks to COVID and redshirtting in 2021. He’s been there since the previous regime and knows what it means to wear the Nebraska ‘N’ on the side of your helmet.

“Then you have a [coach] like Garrett [McGuire],” Rhule continued. “I remember when I was hiring people it’s like how is he going to recruit? Well, he’s recruiting pretty well. And he does a great job in that room. When you’re in that room, you have to deal with a lot different personalities and guys who want to play and have the ball, but he can also build a brotherhood.

“There’s just good people in that room, and they’re highly, highly talented. And so, yeah, I think it’s gonna be I think it’s gonna be one of our stronger positions this year. I think we’re going to be eight, nine or 10 deep and then the guys who are freshmen, maybe they’ll redshirt this year, but i something happens, like it happened last year where guys get banged up, they’re gonna be ready to play.”

Rhule could have fired his first-year receivers coach, but instead chose to look at the positives of his job in 2023 rather than start fresh with a brand new coach this offseason.

It’s true that one of his receivers touched 350 yards receiving last year, but consistency under center is expected to help in that regard. Now, McGuire has more pieces to work with and even more importantly, he has multiple young players returning for a second year under Matt Rhule’s guide.

“I saw the development of Malikai [Coleman] last year. I saw the development of Jaidyn [Doss] and I saw the development of Jaylen Lloyd,” Rhule continued. “So everyone now is watching the spring game like, ‘Well, look at Jaylen Lloyd.’ That didn’t happen this spring, that happened last year.”

Flashes of Llyod’s potential were certainly there furing his freshman season. He caught six passes but made the most of his limited opportunities by scoring three touchdowns for 237 total yards. He played in seven games and never had more than one reception each time out. Fast forward to the 2024 spring game, and he showed off why he could be Nebraska’s best big-play threat this fall with three receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Still, the Huskers finished the year with a 5-7 record and left a lot to be desired on the offensive side of the ball. While the questions surrounding much of Nebraska’s offensive unit have yet to be answered, including who the starting quarterback will be, the Huslers’ fate rest in their hands once they begin their regular season on Aug. 31 against UTEP.