‘We’re going to sprint’: Huskers prep for spring game after signing 39 players

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Between early and national signing days, Nebraska now has 39 new recruits and transfers.

And head coach Matt Rhule says the work doesn’t stop there.

He said he’s following the advice of his old coach, Penn State’s legendary Joe Paterno.

“We’re going to sprint, you know, we’re not taking a break,” Rhule said.

Nebraska added 39 scholarship players – 11 transfers & 28 HS/JUCO -that’s some hard work.

But Matt Rhule says the #Huskers won’t celebrate themselves for working hard.

“We’re gonna celebrate ourselves for having purpose…working hard is because we want to win”@Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/mX0Xigrk1k

— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) February 1, 2023

Rhule held a press conference Wednesday at Memorial Stadium to discuss recruits, the transfer portal and how the team is progressing.

Coaches are not done recruiting, and Rhule said Nebraska is already looking to the future at 2024 and 2025 recruits.

But coaches are also starting to prepare the Huskers for the spring game in April.

“We’re working on this team and getting ourselves ready to be in a good place for spring ball,” Rhule said.

SEE ALSO: ‘I’ve been in their shoes’: Husker coaches Foley and Knighton talk recruiting

Along with recruits, Nebraska bolstered its roster with 11 transfers from schools like Florida, Georgia and Arizona State.

Rhule said the transfer portal is a “great thing” for young athletes.

“If a kid is not in the right spot, he should have a chance to leave and have a chance to play right away,” he said.

While Rhule admitted that he would like to focus more on recruits, so the staff can develop them for four to five years, he still wants players to have a chance to come to Nebraska.

“If someone’s somewhere else, and they really love Nebraska and they think this is the right place for them, then I want them to be here,” he said.

SEE ALSO: Husker assistants Evan Cooper and E.J. Barthel talk Rhule, recruits

On April 22, Rhule will take the field at Memorial Stadium for the first time as Nebraska’s head coach.

And the Husker faithful can expect a whole new team to come out of the tunnel walk.

“We’ve kind of remade the team,” Rhule said. “And I think the team is here; they’re making themselves in the weight room right now. A lot of guys look significantly different to me, just after a couple of weeks.”

Matt Rhule says he likes that his staff is old school.

“Great teams are built on two things: relationships and standards.” @Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/vlKUy8U0x1

— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) February 1, 2023