Early returns on Nebraska football's 2025 transfer portal class

Nebraska made notable transfer portal additions in all three phases this offseason. Of the 15 transfer newcomers, many should make immediate impacts for the Huskers in 2025.

Here is a rundown of what we’ve heard about NU’s portal class so far and what we expect from each player this season…

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QB Marcos Davila

Coming out of the spring, quarterback Marcos Davila continues to learn the Dana Holgorsen offense. The safe projection right now is that Davila will be the Huskers’ No. 3 quarterback in 2025, behind Daylan Raiola and Jalyn Gramstad.

WR Dane Key

Kentucky transfer wide receiver Dane Key has lived up to the early billing. He’s projected to be one of the leaders of the 2025 football team and the odds-on favorite to lead the Big Red in receiving this season.

WR Nyziah Hunter

Like Key, Cal wide receiver transfer Nyziah Hunter is projected to start and play a significant role in NU’s 2025 offense. Early reports on Hunter indicate that he’s a fierce competitor and not afraid to get after the defense in a practice situation.

OL Elijah Pritchett

Alabama transfer Elijah Pritchett was one of Nebraska’s biggest portal acquisitions this offseason. Today, he’s projected to be NU’s starter at left tackle and from all reports, had a very strong spring.

OL Rocco Spindler

Like Pritchett, Notre Dame guard Rocco Spindler was another significant off-season addition by Nebraska. After starting for the Irish the last two seasons, Spindler now walks into a situation where he will be a Day 1 starter at right guard.

DL Williams Nwaneri

Former five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri came to Nebraska from Missouri, where he redshirted in 2024. This one is hard to read right now, because one would think Nwaneri is a projected starter, but at a minimum, he will split snaps at one of NU’s defensive end spots with players like Cameron Lenhardt and Keona Davis.

DL Gabe Moore

Mississippi State transfer Gabe Moore sat out the 2024 season for a medical reason. Today, Moore looks to be more of a depth piece heading into 2025.

DL Jaylen George

Before being sidelined this spring with an injury, the reports were strong on East Tennessee State defensive lineman Jaylen George. He should have a chance to fight for snaps this summer on the defensive line, but it’s hard to get a clear read since he was out this spring.

EDGE/LB Dasan McCullough

Oklahoma transfer Dasan McCullough was another of Nebraska’s high-value transfer portal additions this offseason. McCullough has the ability to play in all three levels of the defense, but looks to project into more of a hybrid linebacker/pass rushing edge player in 2025. He and Willis McGahee IV will be big for Nebraska in that area.

LB Marques Watson-Trent

Linebacker Marques Watson-Trent enters the 2025 season as the reigning Sun Belt defensive player of the year. He projects to start for the Huskers at linebacker and could be NU’s leading tackler in 2025. This could be one of the better additions on defense for the Huskers when it’s all said and done.

DB Andrew Marshall

Idaho cornerback Andrew Marshall was another sneaky good add for the Huskers. He was the best cornerback in the Big Sky Conference in 2024, and from all reports, is in a great spot to win a starting job at Nebraska. Marshall could also factor in as both a kick and punt returner.

DB Justyn Rhett

Georgia transfer Justyn Rhett was a well-known high school prospect before joining NU. Coming out of the spring, he looks to be in a position to battle for two-deep snaps, but is not a projected starter at this time.

DB Jamir Conn

Southern Illinois transfer Jamir Conn was an accomplished starter at the FCS ranks, but did not take part in spring practice at NU due to an injury. Conn will have to battle now to get on the field in 2025 in a highly competitive cornerback room.

LS Kevin Gallic

Long snapper was among Nebraska’s most significant needs in 2025, as crazy as that may sound. Kevin Gallic gives them a proven and accomplished snapper that should step right in and give the Huskers an immediate upgrade.

K Kyle Cunanan

After parting ways with punter transfer, Jack McCallister, Nebraska, added a late kicker from the portal, Kyle Cunanan, from Cal and Charlotte. He will battle it out primarily with John Hohl to be NU’s starter in 2025, and also projects today as the Huskers’ kickoff specialist, as Brian Buschini handled those duties a year ago.

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