Nebraska adds commitment from Virginia transfer WR Billy Kemp IV
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is far from done with completing his year-one roster turnover in Lincoln. On Monday night, the first-year Husker head coach added a big piece.
Virginia transfer portal wide receiver Billy Kemp IV announced he plans to be a Husker. The sixth-year senior comes to Lincoln with one year of eligibility and is one of the all-time leading receivers in Cavalier program history.
“It was just them coming in and giving me the opportunity to be the No. 1 receiver,” Kemp said on why he chose Nebraska. “I think with me and coach (Marcus) Satterfield, the opportunity — the sky is the limit.”
Kemp ranks fourth all time on the Cavaliers’ career reception list with 192 catches and 10th all-time in receiving yards with 1,774.
Billy Kemp expects to do “everything” for Nebraska
While at Virginia, the 5-foot-9, 172-pound Kemp was a jack of all trades. He is one of the program’s all-time leading receivers, and he led the Cavaliers in punt return yardage each of the last four seasons.
At Nebraska, he expects to have a similar role. During his time at UVA, he had 64 attempted punt returns for 371 yards. He also fair caught 76 punts. In 50 games of action, he fielded 140 total punts.
“I think you will see me do a little bit of everything,” Kemp said. “I can do everything in the return game and anything in the offense they ask me to.
“I took over the punt return job my first year there, and ever since then, whenever I was healthy, it was my job.”
Kemp hits it off with QB transfer Jeff Sims
During his official visit this weekend, Kemp was hosted by QB transfer Jeff Sims from Georgia Tech.
Sims came to Lincoln for several reasons this past weekend, but one was to host Kemp.
“It was good,” Kemp said of his time with Sims. “We talked about what we both have in mind for the season. We both want the same thing, and I expect big things.”
Kemp and Sims faced each other in the ACC, so they had quite a bit of talking points.
“He’s a dynamic quarterback,” Kemp said. “At Georgia Tech, he was in an offense that asked him to run. I believe he’s able to throw the ball as well. He’s able to stretch the field, and he’ll give me the opportunities I need essentially.”
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Kemp does not expect to move to Nebraska until classes start on Jan. 23. He said several teams wanted him to take visits in the coming days, but he shut them all down to commit to the Huskers.
“I had visits set,” Kemp said. “I was supposed to take a visit on Wednesday.”
Matt Rhule closed the deal with Kemp
Kemp would not get into the other teams involved and where he had visits set to. His focus is on Nebraska now.
Rhule was a major reason he chose to commit on Monday night after his first and only visit. He was in the transfer portal for just one week.
“(Rhule) just left from where I ultimately want to be,” Kemp said of the NFL. “Just his experience, and his belief in me, and his vision for me is why I committed.
“Nebraska is a lot different than Virginia, but the little town of Lincoln is like a city. It’s almost like Richmond to me, especially on game day. It’s nice.
“I ultimately wanted to be somewhere wholeheartedly focused on football just for my dreams to get to the next level.”
Kemp becomes the eighth transfer addition to the NU roster and the 31st scholarship addition for the 2023 season.
