Nebraska is set to experience large-scale changes to its roster with the college football transfer portal window lasting from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16, 2026.<\/p>\n
Here is a recap of the Huskers’ latest moves, departures and additions. The list will be updated as additional news breaks:<\/p>\n
Tuesday, Jan 6:<\/p>\n
Addition: Oregon State linebacker Dexter Foster<\/p>\n
The Huskers added their third linebacker in the portal with Oregon State’s Dexter Foster. The 6-foot-3, 236-pounder recorded 95 total tackles over two seasons in Corvallis. He will have two years of eligibility remaining and will challenge for the starting job at inside linebacker.<\/p>\n
Addition: UNLV quarterback Anthony Corlandrea<\/p>\n
Nebraska wasted no time finding its new quarterback with\u00a0Anthony Corlandrea committing to the Huskers on Tuesday.\u00a0Colandrea threw for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns this past season, also rushing for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year will likely have the inside track on being the Huskers’ starting quarterback this season.<\/p>\n
Addition: San Diego State safety Dwayne McDougle<\/p>\n
Dwayne McDougle follows Rob Aurich from San Diego State to Lincoln. The safety had 51 total tackles for the Aztecs last season and was tied for the team lead with four interceptions. The 5-foot-11 defensive back is effective against the run and pass and brings experience to Nebraska’s secondary<\/p>\n
Addition: Iowa State linebacker Will Hawthorne<\/p>\n
Nebraska picked up its second Cyclone out of the portal in linebacker Will Hawthorne. The Huskers heavily recruited the four-star out of high school and will now get him with four years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound redshirt freshman has the potential to be a key contributor both on the inside and outside.<\/p>\n
Addition: South Carolina right tackle Tree Babalade<\/p>\n
The Huskers boosted their offensive line with the addition of Tree Babalade. The 6-foot-5, 330-pounder appeared in 22 games over three seasons with the Gamecocks, with 15 starts. Babalade played for Lonnie Teasley, NU’s new run-game coordinator, at South Carolina and will add much-needed experience to Nebraska’s offensive line. He is the second offensive lineman added through the portal, along with Iowa State right guard Brendan Black.<\/p>\n
After losing quarterback Kenny Minchey to Kentucky on Monday night, the Huskers began to search for a new signal caller. As of now, UNLV’s Anthony Colandrea, Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles and Missouri’s Beau Pribula all have visits lined up.<\/p>\n
Monday, Jan 5:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Minchey flips commitment to Kentucky<\/p>\n
After committing to the Huskers on Jan. 4, the former Notre Dame quarterback switched his pledge to the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats were involved with former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, but presumably missed out on him. Reports indicate Minchey\u2019s NIL number at Kentucky is higher than what it would have been with the Huskers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nebraska will now have to look to the portal for a new quarterback.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Addition:\u00a0San Diego State linebacker Owen Chambliss<\/p>\n
Nebraska landed one of Rob Aurich’s key pieces from this past season in linebacker Owen Chambliss. The Huskers were the only visit Chambliss had lined up. Chambliss had 68 tackles and four sacks this past season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder could be big for a Huskers defense that struggled to generate pressure on the edges last season.<\/p>\n
Addition: Iowa State lineman Brendan Black<\/p>\n
Nebraska has landed former Iowa State offensive lineman Brendan Black<\/a>. The 320-pound lineman was on campus this weekend, and the Huskers locked up his commitment before a scheduled visit to South Carolina. Black is a three-year starter for the Cyclones and has logged over 30 starts at right guard.<\/p>\n Departure: Linebacker Willis McGahee IV<\/p>\n McGahee became the 19th Husker to enter his name into the transfer portal. The linebacker showed promise as a freshman before redshirting this past season. McGahee recorded 17 total tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles over two seasons in Lincoln.<\/p>\n Sunday, Jan. 4<\/p>\n Addition: Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey<\/p>\n Nebraska picked up its first transfer commitment on Sunday, and it was a big one. Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey comes into Lincoln with two years of eligibility remaining.<\/p>\n Minchey<\/a> battled for the Irish starting job this past season and showed flashes on few snaps. He will challenge TJ Lateef for the Huskers’ starting spot this fall.<\/p>\n Departures: Defensive lineman Keona Davis, defensive back Larry Tarver,\u00a0defensive back Brice Turner and offensive lineman Houston Kaahaaina-Torres<\/p>\n Nebraska lost four players to the transfer portal on Sunday, headlined by Keona Davis. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound\u00a0defensive lineman\u00a0started 11 games this past season for the Huskers, recording 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks.\u00a0He has two years of eligibility remaining.<\/p>\n Other portal entries include defensive backs Larry Tarver Jr. and Brice Turner. Tarver played in six games over two seasons, while Turner was a primary special teamer this past year. Offensive lineman\u00a0Houston Kaahaaina-Torres entered the portal after appearing in two games as a true freshman.<\/p>\n Saturday, Jan. 3<\/p>\n Nebraska\u2019s visitor list ramped up significantly on day two of the portal. The Huskers are already confirmed to host around 10 players in the coming week. Here are some of the standouts from the visitor list.<\/p>\n Oklahoma State offensive lineman Markell Samuel<\/p>\n Samuel<\/a> played just one game this past season for the Cowboys before going down with an injury, but has the experience to be a key contributor for the Husker offensive line. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound left tackle started 18 games for Appalachian State, including an honorable mention All-Sun Belt 2024 campaign where he played 817 snaps.\u00a0<\/p>\n San Diego State edge Ryan Henderson<\/p>\n Henderson joins the list of former Aztecs visiting Nebraska. The junior edge played under new Huskers defensive coordinator Rob Aurich and edge coach Roy Manning this past season. Henderson<\/a> had 22 total tackles in 2025 and tied for a team-best seven sacks. Nebraska is in desperate need for help on the edge, with its top defensive end recording just 2.5 sacks.<\/p>\n UCLA defensive lineman Anthony Jones<\/p>\n Jones<\/a> has scheduled a visit with Nebraska on Jan. 4, and would be a nice get for the defensive line. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has played in 37 games and started 14 over his four-year career. Jones has 58 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in his career.<\/p>\n San Diego State linebacker Owen Chambliss<\/p>\n Chambliss<\/a> is one of the handful of San Diego State players who will consider Nebraska. His defensive coordinator, Rob Aurich, will lead the Blackshirts next season. Chambliss had 68 tackles and four sacks this past season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker could be big for a Huskers defense that struggled to generate pressure on the edges last season.<\/p>\n South Carolina tackle Tree Babalade<\/p>\n Babalade\u2019s former offensive line coach, Lonnie Teasley, was hired as Nebraska\u2019s run game coordinator in December 2025. Babalade<\/a> is a towering 6-foot-6, 330-pound tackle who could be an instant impact player for Nebraska. He has started 15 games in his career with the Gamecocks. Babalade started nine games as a freshman, but redshirted in 2024 and was in a backup role this past season.\u00a0<\/p>\n UCF defensive tackle Horace Lockett<\/p>\n Lockett only appeared in four games this past season, but made his presence felt. The massive 6-foot-6, 355-pound lineman had three tackles for loss and a sack in just four appearances. Lockett would be integral in bolstering Nebraska\u2019s defensive line, which lacked a nose tackle with size like his. However, the Huskers are not the only team going after Lockett\u2019s talents as he\u2019s expected to visit Notre Dame, Ohio State and Ole Miss.<\/p>\n The rest of the visitor list so far:<\/p>\n UCLA wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer<\/a> – The Bruins\u2019 leading receiver in 2025<\/p>\n Kansas State defensive tackle Malcolm Alcorn Crowder<\/a> – 6-foot-6, 305-pound interior presence<\/p>\n San Diego State safeties Dalesean Staley<\/a> and Dwayne McDougle<\/a> – Put up a combined five interceptions and 13 passes defended in Aurich\u2019s defense this season.<\/p>\n Memphis offensive lineman Malachi Breland<\/a> – 6-foot-5, 340-pound interior lineman<\/p>\n Oregon State linebacker Dexter Foster<\/a> – 52 tackles in 2025<\/p>\n Iowa State linebacker Will Hawthorne<\/a> – Potential developmental piece with four years of eligibility<\/p>\n Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey is also expected to be in Lincoln sometime within the next week.<\/p>\n Departure: Linebacker Rahmir Stewart<\/p>\n Stewart entered his name into the transfer portal on Saturday morning. The linebacker started his career as a defensive back, recording five tackles and one interception over three years. The sophomore will have two years of eligibility remaining.<\/p>\n Friday, Jan. 2<\/p>\n Prediction: Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey<\/p>\n It looks like Nebraska may have its new signal caller. The Huskers have been linked to Notre Dame\u2019s\u00a0Kenny Minchey<\/a>\u00a0since he announced his intention to enter the portal. Minchey entered the portal with a do-not-contact tag on Friday morning, further linking him to Nebraska, with many placing predictions for the Huskers to land the former four-star.<\/p>\n Minchey saw limited action this past season as the Fighting Irish\u2019s backup, but has displayed the dual-threat ability that Rhule and Holgorsen were eyeing in their next quarterback. Minchey would have two years of eligibility.<\/p>\n Visit: Iowa State interior lineman Brendan Black<\/p>\n Nebraska has landed the first official visit for Iowa State offensive lineman\u00a0Brendan Black<\/a>. The 320-pound lineman will be on campus Jan. 2 and 3 before also visiting South Carolina. Black is a three-year starter for the Cyclones and has logged over 30 starts at right guard.<\/p>\n Departures: Offensive lineman Jason Maciejczak, defensive lineman Jaylen George and defensive back Braylen Prude<\/p>\n Three more Huskers entered the portal when it opened on Friday. Defensive lineman Jaylen George entered his name into the mix. The East Tennessee State transfer played in seven games this past season.<\/p>\n Interior lineman Jason Maciejczak also entered the portal. He was seen as a developmental piece, but he only logged 33 snaps this past season.<\/p>\n Defensive back Braylen Prude entered the portal on Friday night. The redshirt freshman saw action in three games over his two years in Lincoln.<\/p>\n With Maciejczak and George entering the portal, Nebraska has now seen 12 players officially depart.<\/p>\n Monday, Dec. 22<\/p>\n Departure: Linebacker Roger Gradney<\/p>\n Roger Gradney announced that he plans on entering the transfer portal on\u00a0Monday<\/a>. The redshirt freshman appeared in two games this season, recording one tackle.<\/p>\n Gradney was a three-star defensive back out of high school, switching to linebacker at Nebraska. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.<\/p>\n Departure: Kicker Tristan Alvano<\/p>\n