Matt Rhule provides his stance on NIL in recruiting

Before trying his luck in the NFL, Matt Rhule proved he was able to rebuild programs, first at Temple and then at Baylor. Now, he’s looking to do that again with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, things have changed in college sports, with the transfer portal and NIL impacting how rosters are constructed.

Rhule was asked about his stance on NIL in recruiting following the Early Signing Day.

“Obviously, on its face, every player, if I have a name, image, and likeness that can bring value to me, I would want to capitalize on it, take advantage of it,” Rhule laughed. “I’m not working for free. You guys aren’t working for free. We all want something if we can get it. That’s the original intention of it.”

Rhule did emphasize that he’s in favor of NIL but is concerned about how it’s being used to this point. In particular, how it can be used to tamper with players already on college rosters.

“You can see it’s being misused and mishandled in a lot of places. I said this on TV earlier, so please forgive me, but I’m at a point in my life where I’ve done some cool things. I like what I’ve done. I have a lot more I want to accomplish. My family’s comfortable. I’m only coaching college football because I love this age group and I want to feel like I’m doing something in their lives,” Rhule explained.

“So, I can’t start that relationship off with lies. I can’t start that relationship off saying, ‘Hey, I want to help you be the best man you can be, but let me go tamper with someone on someone else’s roster and start it off by cheating, which is happening everywhere right now. It’s saddening to me. As a guy that was in college football, to see what has happened to college football–I walk into a school. ‘Hey, you can’t talk to that Junior.’ And I follow all those rules, but someone could call a kid on my team and say, ‘Hey, if you get in the transfer portal, I’ll give you’ — it’s just, it’s just said to me. But, you’re hearing a lot of coaches say that.”

For Rhule, the most important thing is getting players in the building who want to be there and want to develop. He has a hands-off approach to NIL itself. After all, he can’t be involved by rule.

“That being said, I want it done the right way for our guys. I don’t get involved in it. Even in the NFL, I didn’t want players looking at me saying, ‘Why’s he making this and you’re making?’ By rule, I can’t be involved in it…I think the key for me is to recruit guys who want to be here, not who want to come for the best NIL,” Rhule said.

On top of all of that, Rhule is concerned about the mental health of young players, dealing with high expectations at their schools in the wake of the pandemic. He doesn’t want NIL to become another source of stress for them.

“We’re just gonna ruin kids. So, I think NIL is awesome. Let me say that, when done right, when done professionally, and I’m so thrilled with the setup here because like everything else, like true Nebraskans, they’re gonna do things the right way, and to help kids, not to take advantage of kids.”

Matt Rhule on recruiting defensive talent

Another thing that Rhule explained was his approach to recruiting talent on the defensive side of the ball.

“And I’ve always had this belief that I’m not one of those guys who says ‘I need three of these, four of these.’ People ask me all the time, ‘How many more do we have?’ I mean, guys are going to come, they’re going to change their position. And we love to change guys’ positions if it’s going to help them play in the NFL. So I just try to take the best players. And obviously, you need a minimum of certain things. I’m not saying that, but I’m not beholden to that. I like to think creatively and Evan Cooper and our staff makes me think creatively and so we try to take the best players possible,” Rhule explained.

“In terms of the defense, I’m not sitting here saying we’re going to run the 3-3-5 defense. I’m not saying we’re going to run this defense. What I loved about Tony is he’s creative. So we’re not going to bring in ‘Hey this is our defense and you guys have to fit it.’ We’re going to get the best players possible.”