LINCOLN, Neb. — The future of Nebraska’s annual spring football game is in jeopardy, primarily due to concerns from head coach Matt Rhule regarding player retention amidst rising tampering issues with transfers.
At a press conference, Rhule expressed his frustrations saying, “The term ‘tampering’ is almost obsolete now. It operates more like a completely open marketplace.” He articulated his reluctance to highlight current players during an event that could inadvertently attract attention from other programs eager to recruit his athletes. “I don’t want to display our talent to the outside world for them to think, ‘That player looks promising; let’s recruit him,’” he added.
Historically, Nebraska’s spring game has enjoyed great popularity among fans, with last year’s turnout reaching 60,452 spectators at Memorial Stadium, ranking it fourth nationally behind similar events at powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Alabama, and Penn State. The event also enjoyed media coverage from the Big Ten Network.
Rhule recounted the flood of offers that players received following the previous year’s spring game, suggesting that showcasing new talent can create security risks regarding team rosters. Just a week after the last spring game, six players from Nebraska chose to enter the transfer portal.
This year, the portal period for transfers concludes on April 25, right before Nebraska’s spring practice comes to an end. Notably, recent developments have shown that players can transfer to different schools without going through the portal, a situation exemplified by Wisconsin safety Xavier Lucas’s recent switch to Miami.
Rhule’s primary focus remains on safeguarding his players, which has taken precedence over concerns about potential injuries during the spring game. After witnessing injuries to receiver Demitrius Bell and cornerback Blye Hill—both of whom were sidelined for the season due to last year’s spring game—Rhule insists that practices will continue to incorporate live tackling.
He added, “Players today are being compensated, which introduces a different dynamic when it comes to protecting our roster during the transfer portal period.” When pressed about the likelihood of organizing a scrimmage-style spring game, Rhule responded, “I’m not sure yet, but I doubt that will happen.”
However, he indicated a desire to engage with fans and display his players in some capacity. Nebraska’s athletic director, Troy Dannen, mentioned on a recent radio broadcast that there are plans for an event on April 26, possibly featuring football along with other spring sports.
