Welcome to Lincoln, Nebraska—where things are heating up, and Matt Rhule is stirring the pot like a coach possessed. The 2024 season didn’t exactly go the way Husker fans hoped. All that preseason buzz around the Dylan Raiola—the five-star QB phenom—felt like the start of something legendary. But a 7-6 finish? With a bowl win that barely scratched the itch for greatness? Let’s just say the red-clad faithful weren’t exactly throwing parades for “pretty decent.”
But here’s where it gets juicy. Instead of licking his wounds, Rhule dove headfirst into the offseason like a man on a mission. Transfer portal? He’s treating it like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Recruiting? He’s hunting down talent like it’s prime rib. But beneath all the obvious moves, there’s a deeper, sneakier game afoot—one that’s got Coach Prime himself, Deion Sanders, feeling the heat right across the Colorado border. This isn’t just about keeping Dylan Raiola safe in the pocket. Oh no, Rhule’s cooking up something bigger, something spicier. He’s eyeing Colorado’s crown jewel—the No. 1 in-state recruit—and he’s ready to swipe him right from under Sanders’ flashy nose.
The First Domino: A 335-Pound Wall for Raiola
Let’s rewind to January 9th. Nebraska insider Sam Dittman drops a nugget that sends Husker Nation buzzing: “Nebraska is going after Colorado.” But this isn’t about the Buffaloes’ win-loss record. It’s about their future—and, more specifically, a future that doesn’t involve Camden Jensen suiting up in Boulder.
But before we get to Jensen, let’s talk about the foundation—literally. Protecting Dylan Raiola isn’t just a priority; it’s the whole game plan. Rhule knows his offensive line has more holes than Swiss cheese. Elijah Pritchett from Alabama? Nice pickup. Rocco Spindler from Notre Dame? Solid. But it’s not enough. Enter Martes Lewis—a 6’7″, 335-pound mountain of a man, fresh from Minnesota with three years of Big Ten battle scars and 13 starts in 2023. This isn’t just a guy who plugs holes; he’s a human wall. With two years of eligibility left, Lewis isn’t just a stopgap—he’s the foundation of Rhule’s plan to keep Raiola upright and firing.
And let’s not sugarcoat it—the O-line is in crisis mode. Corcoran’s hobbling back from hamstring surgery, Prochazka’s knees are more fragile than a glass slipper, and the center position? A revolving door of unproven talent. If Rhule doesn’t fortify that line, Dylan Raiola’s going to spend more time on the turf than a misplaced sprinkler. The Lewis acquisition isn’t just smart—it’s survival.
Thank you @CoachMattRhule for stopping by on your birthday and @Coach_Satt for stopping by this morning to talk @HuskerFootball with me and my family! @warriorqbcoach @CoachTylerK @Heritagefootbal pic.twitter.com/Y6zCkVyOOj
— Camden Jensen (@Cam_Jensen97) January 31, 2025
The Real Power Play: Stealing Camden Jensen from Coach Prime
But here’s the twist. While everyone’s eyes were glued to the O-line drama, Rhule was quietly making a play that could shake the recruiting world. It’s not just about keeping Dylan Raiola safe. It’s about sending a message—and that message is aimed straight at Deion Sanders.
Meet Camden Jensen, Colorado’s golden boy. Standing 6’6″ and weighing in at 230 pounds, this four-star tight end is the No. 1 player in the state for the 2026 class. A blocking beast with hands soft enough to snag passes in traffic, Jensen is the kind of player who can transform an offense overnight. Naturally, Deion Sanders has been drooling over the prospect of keeping him home in Boulder, adding him to his growing collection of elite talent.
But here’s where things get spicy. Back in November, Jensen dropped a bombshell: “I think I want to go far away from home for college.” That’s all Rhule needed to hear. He smelled blood in the water and went full shark mode. Before you could say “Go Big Red,” Rhule and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield were knocking on Jensen’s front door. The visit? Oh, it made waves. Jensen even took to X (formerly Twitter), publicly thanking the Nebraska staff for the home visit. And just like that, Nebraska slid into his top seven schools, sending a shockwave across the recruiting landscape.
Imagine the headlines: Matt Rhule Steals Deion’s Top Recruit. It’s not just a win—it’s a statement. A shot across the bow that says Nebraska isn’t just back—they’re here to dominate.
What’s Rhule Really Building in Nebraska?
Now, don’t get it twisted. This isn’t just some petty rivalry between Rhule and Sanders. This is about legacy. About turning Nebraska into the powerhouse it used to be, back when Memorial Stadium was a fortress and Husker football was synonymous with dominance. Rhule isn’t playing checkers here—he’s playing 4D chess.
The transfer portal? He’s turned it into his personal talent farm. Nebraska’s portal class is ranked #5 nationally, and their 2025 recruiting class is sitting comfortably at No. 19. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The real battle is in the trenches—both on the field and in recruiting wars. And if Rhule pulls off this double heist—locking down Martes Lewis and stealing Camden Jensen from Deion Sanders—it’s not just a win for Nebraska. It’s a seismic shift in the Big Ten landscape.
The Big Question: Will It Work?
So here we are. Nebraska’s stacked with new talent, Dylan Raiola’s future is being carefully guarded, and the battle for Camden Jensen’s commitment is heating up like a Nebraska summer. But the Big Ten is no joke. Flashy moves don’t mean a thing if your quarterback’s eating dirt every other play.
Can Matt Rhule pull it off? Will Nebraska rise from the ashes and reclaim its spot among college football’s elite? And perhaps most importantly—will Deion Sanders take an L in his own backyard?
The answers are coming. But one thing’s for sure—Matt Rhule isn’t just building a team. He’s building a legacy. And if this all plays out the way he’s envisioning? The Huskers might just be on the brink of something special.
