Rhule Discusses Strategic Approach to โ2024 Signing Class
University of โคNebraska Headโค Coach Mattโฃ Rhule detailed โคthe beliefs โbehind the Huskers’ โข2024 recruiting class on signing day, emphasizing aโค focusโ on specific needs โand “difference makers.”
Rhule highlighted the importance of special teams, noting,โ “This is a windy place andโข this is a difficult place. We neededโค someone we thought could contribute,” referring to the addition of a place kicker, supported by coach Mike Ekeler’s effortsโ to build a โstrongโ kicking room.
At wide receiver,theโฃ team targeted both size and versatility. Nalin Scott was broughtโ in as a “big outside guy,” while โขLarry Miles offers โฃthe ability โto play both inside and outside, described as “really competitive.” Rhuleโค expressed excitement about running โback Jamal Rule, stating, “we like the running backโ roomโ and Jamal wasโ a premier guy โon a board andโค weโฃ wereโฃ able to get him and hold on to him,” referencing the team’s success running the football this season.
The tight end room was also a focus, withโฃ Luke Lindenmeyer already working with the group. Rhule praised Luke Sorensen’s work in securing a tight โend capable of playing both the ‘Y’ andโข flex positions, calling it “hard toโ find guys who canโ do both.”
Defensively, the strategy centered on stopping the run and preventing explosive plays. Danny Odem III, described โas โค”one of the premier corners in โขthe country,”โค was a priority,โฃ with โฃRhule stating he was a “no brainer guy that we wentโข all in on.”โ Jace Reynolds, who received an offer afterโค attending a camp, was alsoโ highlighted for his potential to play multiple positions – inside and outside.
Rhuleโ emphasized the selective nature of thisโ recruiting class, given the team’s existingโฃ roster size and youth. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to build โคthe 2027 class, โanticipating itโ will be “special.” He believes โmany of the incoming players have the “mindset” to contribute early.
Bowl Gameโฃ Practice Schedule
Rhuleโ also outlined the bowl game practice schedule, beginningโค Monday. He โcontrasted the current โsituation withโ previous years โฃspent on the โroad recruiting and managing the transfer portal, noting theโ chance to focus on player โgrowth. โฃ”Nextโ week will really be a lot more โdevelopment,” โhe โคsaeid, highlighting the potential forโ youngerโ players to “bust through.”
He โขused Emmett Johnson’s developmentโข – โfrom rotational player toโ starterโฃ andโ potential award winner – as โฃan โexample of the โgrowth possible within the program.Rhule anticipates othre playersโฃ will experience similar โขbreakthroughs. Theโข team will have aโค week of development and readiness, followed by timeโ off for Christmas, with aโ potential December 31stโข bowl game requiring travel on December โค26th.
