Dasan McCullough, a talented linebacker who previously played for Oklahoma, has made a surprising move by committing to Nebraska [A](https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/football/oklahoma-transfer-linebacker-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska-football-cornhuskers-big-ten?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuc2kuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9uZWJyYXNrYVwvZm9vdGJhbGxcL29rbGFob21hLXRyYW5zZmVyLWxpbmViYWNrZXItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thLWZvb3RiYWxsLWNvcm5odXNrZXJzLWJpZy10ZW4iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJKVFZUY0RzRXBvWG5Iam9SS3FoVzkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [B](https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJKVFZUY0RzRXBvWG5Iam9SS3FoVzkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmVicmFza2Eucml2YWxzLmNvbVwvbmV3c1wvb2tsYWhvbWEtdHJhbnNmZXItbGItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [C](https://portal.rivals.com/news/nebraska-lands-oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJKVFZUY0RzRXBvWG5Iam9SS3FoVzkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvcG9ydGFsLnJpdmFscy5jb21cL25ld3NcL25lYnJhc2thLWxhbmRzLW9rbGFob21hLXRyYW5zZmVyLWxiLWRhc2FuLW1jY3VsbG91Z2gifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This unexpected transfer has sent shockwaves through the college football community, as McCullough was seen as a key defensive asset for the Sooners.
McCullough’s journey in college football has been remarkable. He started his career at Indiana, where he played all 12 games as a true freshman in 2022 and earned Freshman All-American honors [A](https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/football/oklahoma-transfer-linebacker-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska-football-cornhuskers-big-ten?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJKVFZUY0RzRXBvWG5Iam9SS3FoVzkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvbmVicmFza2FcL2Zvb3RiYWxsXC9va2xhaG9tYS10cmFuc2Zlci1saW5lYmFja2VyLWRhc2FuLW1jY3VsbG91Z2gtY29tbWl0cy10by1uZWJyYXNrYS1mb290YmFsbC1jb3JuaHVza2Vycy1iaWctdGVuIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [B](https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJKVFZUY0RzRXBvWG5Iam9SS3FoVzkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmVicmFza2Eucml2YWxzLmNvbVwvbmV3c1wvb2tsYWhvbWEtdHJhbnNmZXItbGItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His impressive performance caught the attention of Oklahoma, leading to his transfer to the Sooners. Over two seasons in Norman, he played in 17 games, primarily in the “cheetah” position—a hybrid linebacker-defensive back role [A](https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/football/oklahoma-transfer-linebacker-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska-football-cornhuskers-big-ten?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJKVFZUY0RzRXBvWG5Iam9SS3FoVzkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvbmVicmFza2FcL2Zvb3RiYWxsXC9va2xhaG9tYS10cmFuc2Zlci1saW5lYmFja2VyLWRhc2FuLW1jY3VsbG91Z2gtY29tbWl0cy10by1uZWJyYXNrYS1mb290YmFsbC1jb3JuaHVza2Vycy1iaWctdGVuIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [C](https://portal.rivals.com/news/nebraska-lands-oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiSlRWVGNEc0Vwb1huSGpvUktxaFc5IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvcG9ydGFsLnJpdmFscy5jb21cL25ld3NcL25lYnJhc2thLWxhbmRzLW9rbGFob21hLXRyYW5zZmVyLWxiLWRhc2FuLW1jY3VsbG91Z2giLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Despite facing injuries that sidelined him for part of the 2024 season, McCullough managed to make an impact when he returned to the field [B](https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiSlRWVGNEc0Vwb1huSGpvUktxaFc5IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmVicmFza2Eucml2YWxzLmNvbVwvbmV3c1wvb2tsYWhvbWEtdHJhbnNmZXItbGItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
His decision to transfer to Nebraska comes at a crucial time for the Cornhuskers, who are looking to strengthen their defense under head coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator John Butler [C](https://portal.rivals.com/news/nebraska-lands-oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiSlRWVGNEc0Vwb1huSGpvUktxaFc5IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvcG9ydGFsLnJpdmFscy5jb21cL25ld3NcL25lYnJhc2thLWxhbmRzLW9rbGFob21hLXRyYW5zZmVyLWxiLWRhc2FuLW1jY3VsbG91Z2giLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). McCullough’s versatility and athleticism make him a valuable addition to Nebraska’s defensive lineup. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds, he has the ability to play multiple roles, including inside linebacker and rover [B](https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiSlRWVGNEc0Vwb1huSGpvUktxaFc5IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmVicmFza2Eucml2YWxzLmNvbVwvbmV3c1wvb2tsYWhvbWEtdHJhbnNmZXItbGItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His instincts and football IQ allow him to excel in zone coverage and react effectively against the run [B](https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiSlRWVGNEc0Vwb1huSGpvUktxaFc5IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmVicmFza2Eucml2YWxzLmNvbVwvbmV3c1wvb2tsYWhvbWEtdHJhbnNmZXItbGItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
McCullough’s football pedigree is also noteworthy. His father, Deland McCullough, played in the NFL and is currently an associate head coach at Notre Dame [B](https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJKVFZUY0RzRXBvWG5Iam9SS3FoVzkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmVicmFza2Eucml2YWxzLmNvbVwvbmV3c1wvb2tsYWhvbWEtdHJhbnNmZXItbGItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Growing up in a football-centric environment, Dasan developed a deep understanding of the game, which has contributed to his success on the field.
Nebraska fans are excited about McCullough’s arrival, as his presence could significantly bolster the team’s defensive capabilities. His ability to adapt to different positions and contribute in various ways makes him a strategic asset for the Cornhuskers [B](https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/oklahoma-transfer-lb-dasan-mccullough-commits-to-nebraska?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiU0Rha2dUY29QZ0VjU0N6d3dCdEhIIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiSlRWVGNEc0Vwb1huSGpvUktxaFc5IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmVicmFza2Eucml2YWxzLmNvbVwvbmV3c1wvb2tsYWhvbWEtdHJhbnNmZXItbGItZGFzYW4tbWNjdWxsb3VnaC1jb21taXRzLXRvLW5lYnJhc2thIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). With one year of eligibility remaining, McCullough has the opportunity to make a lasting impact at Nebraska and potentially elevate his prospects for the NFL draft.
This transfer highlights the dynamic nature of college football, where unexpected moves can reshape team strategies and player careers. McCullough’s decision to join Nebraska instead of continuing with Oklahoma adds an intriguing twist to the upcoming season, and fans will be eager to see how he performs in his new role.
As Nebraska prepares for the next phase of its football journey, McCullough’s addition could be a game-changer. His talent, experience, and adaptability make him a formidable presence on the field, and his contributions will be closely watched by analysts and fans alike. The Cornhuskers have secured a valuable player, and McCullough’s journey in Nebraska promises to be an exciting chapter in his football career.
