Matt Rhule gets a heartbreaking reality control, since Analyst claims that the ceiling of Nebraska remains low despite heavy recruitment

It’s year three for Matt Rhule In Lincoln and Husker fans are on sharp. Historically, year three was magical for Rhule. In Temple and Baylor, the third season usually brought large national buzz. Nebraska? They have seen a glimpse and promises. In 2024, Rhule and Freshman phenomenon stormed Dylan Raiola into a 3-0 start, smoked Colorado 28-10 and at one point was 5-1. The season ended with a record of 7-6 and a victory in the Pinstripe Bowl at Boston College, with an eight-year-old drought after the season. Progress? Maybe. But title interview? Heck no !! Per insider.

Year 3 is supposed to be large for Matt Rhule. His track record proves that Memple and Baylor both achieve double digits in the third year. But according to football sinsider Sam of the ‘College Football with Sam’ podcast, Nebraska will still not be a national title candidate for an obvious reason: Not enough recruitment of top class.

On June 7, Sam jumped on his podcast and explained the brutal truth about what Rhule stops: “I think that Nebraska’s recruitment limitation limits their success. I do. Talent.”

In the past three years, the recruitment classes of Nebraska have been well stacked on paper – but the results have not told the full story. Under Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers ran in national classes around #25 in 2023, jumped to #18 in 2024 and between #18-21 in 2025 in Big Ten Termen that they place between the 6th and 8th most years. The 2024 class mainly made noise thanks to the dedication of 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, Rhule’s biggest has been getting since his arrival.

Sam doubled: “Think of Michigan or Penn State of Ohio State of Heck, even a program like Washington, who is not a blueblood but a member of the Big ten – those teams, their at home produce better football than Nebraska does, and often with a mile.” Translation? Nebraska is not on the same fertile recruitment grounds. They do not land the same volume of blue-chip recruits. And if you try to crash the CFP party or to lift a natty trophy, that top 5-class trolley tree is not optional it is essential.

Sam argues that because Nebraska’s recruitment ranks in the Low 20S, they do not stack the “blue-chip talent” that is needed to challenge a national title. Top-tier programs that win championships consistently draw the top 10 or top 5 classes. Nebraska? Hanging in that #20–25 Plateau.

Even with Rhule who brings in quality perspectives and big names such as Raiola, it has not translated Blue-Chip Dubs. The 2025 class has 20 recruits from 12 different states (6 from Nebraska), with a wide net but no pipeline. For comparison: Oregon stacks four 5-stars such as Na’eem Offord and DakOrien Moore. Ohio State never leaves the top 5. And Michigan has risen to Elite Territorium. Nebraska? They are stuck in that 20-25 zone.

Yes, the talent is better than under Scott Frost. But development and retention still have to close that gap. Top recruits alone do not win titles unless they are converted into top NFL -picks and Sunday starters. Nebraska’s 2025 class has a few precious stones – but it is That class? Not really. And it’s early to judge; Nebraska’s current ranking of 2026 classes is outside the top 50 per on3. But if they land their top goals, it can change quickly.

Matt Rhule receives a visit from ‘Superman’ during ‘The Battle of the Boneyard’

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton aka Superman was in the building on Friday when Nebraska Football kept his annual “Battle of the Boneyard” 7-on-7 tournament at Memorial Stadium. It was not only a recruitment display of the it was a full-circle moment for Rhule and Newton.

The two go far back. Rhule brought Newton back to Carolina during his Stint as Panthers coach in 2021. Newton won no competition that season, but the respect was mutual. Rhule often praised Newton in post-game Persers. Newton returned the favor, once saying, “Coach Rhule is a great coach” After a difficult loss due to Tampa Bay.

Now, years later, Newton Lincoln rolled in with his C1N team and coached them all day long. He even took something himself and then posed for photos with Rhule-the Coach-QB binding in the times. Newton remains one of the most dominant figures in the history of the University Football after his legendary Auburn season 2010. So yes, his presence? It shook the stadium.

One of the striking competing was Nebraska’s 2027 QB -Commitcit Trae Taylor, who fitted in with the team for RAW Miami in his first run. In addition to him, the Top Talent event from all over the land and the staff of Nebraska received a close-uplook. The event was free for the public, with full media access. In addition to the highlights and scouting notes, it also served as a PR win. Newton’s visit indicated that Nebraska is on the radar again top players, top coaches and top hype.

Whether Rhule can break the ceiling that Sam warned? That is still in the air. But with CAM in the building and talent that flows in, the foundation becomes stronger.