By Rock Westfall
Matt Rhule’s defiant stand against tampering with a better culture was a resounding success. Chief Borders was the only notable Husker to hit the transfer portal. Now Nebraska turns its attention to the season ahead and Prime Revenge.
During spring camp, Matt Rhule commented on how tight end Thomas Fidone has been the target of perpetual tampering attempts. But Fidone was never a threat to leave Nebraska. Fidone has repeatedly made it clear that he is a committed Husker and has no interest in leaving, especially with Nebraska poised for a breakout season in 2024. Fidone grew up in a family of Husker fans and is living the dream. After the spring game, Rhule showered Fidone with praise.
“He's loyal. Every team in the country is trying to get him to leave and go there,” Rhule said. “The kid's a Nebraska Cornhusker through and through. .. I love that guy. It's so good for our players to see a guy who's so obsessed with being great and never happy."
With the exception of freshman phenom quarterback Dylan Raiola, no player on the Huskers is facing higher expectations than Fidone. Fidone ranked second in receptions for Nebraska last season while going through the growing pains of on-the-job training. Also, keep in mind that Fidone was coming off two ACL tears that slowed down his development.
Rhule talking about QB Heinrich Haarberg's performance and connection with tight end (and roommate) Thomas Fidone: "I think all young quarterbacks like having a big tight end... I'm sure Patrick Mahomes loves having Travis Kelce." #Huskers pic.twitter.com/OSAdDLoskG
— Jake Bartecki NCN (@bartecki_jake) September 18, 2023
Fidone is investing time and effort to become great. In fact, Rhule said that Fidone wants to become the best tight end in the world. Scouts see Fidone as a freak physical specimen who has the potential to emerge as a dominant tight end in the mold of Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce . And with Raiola heading to KC to work with Patrick Mahomes , the comparisons of Raiola-Fidone to Mahomes-Kelce are impossible to avoid.
“I grew up wearing the N…”
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) April 27, 2024
After multiple past injuries, Thomas Fidone gave thanks for being able to live out his dream as a Husker.#GBR | #Huskers pic.twitter.com/8J09TgcAzT
Malachi Coleman threw a scare at the Big Red Faithful this week with a seemingly cryptic X-post about “new beginnings,” which led to worries about Coleman entering the portal. As it turned out, the post was all about nothing. Coleman sent a subsequent post claiming that his “new beginnings” were all about the future of Nebraska football.
Coleman was the crown jewel of Matt Rhule’s first recruiting class. Rhule worked hard to earn Coleman’s commitment after the Lincoln East High School product de-committed when interim head coach Mickey Joseph was not retained after the 2022 season.
Malachi Coleman catches his first touchdown pass of his career, a 44 yard touchdown catch from Heinrich Haarberg vs Northwestern #Huskers #GBR @HuskGuys pic.twitter.com/CBfbafkrfO
— Huskers Top Plays (@HuskersTopPlays) March 5, 2024
Coleman missed spring practice due to injury, keeping him out of the spring game. Coleman saw limited action as a freshman last year. Still, he averaged 17.4 yards per catch on eight receptions, which is indicative of his speed and big play potential, especially considering the QB room's instability for Nebraska last year. It is expected that Coleman will emerge as a playmaking threat for Raiola.
To clear things up I have no intention of entering the portal. I am only speaking about the future of Nebraska Football. If you really want to know what this program means to me, check my pinned tweet. @HuskerFootball
— Malachi Coleman (@ChiColeman23) April 30, 2024
Often overlooked in the spectacular spring and Raiola hype was an experienced offensive line that could become a key asset for the Huskers. Nebraska showed improvement last year, but the Big Red expects an even greater presence in 2024.
With the hopes of Husker nation pinned on Raiola, a line that can protect the freshman phenom is essential for Nebraska's success. On average, the Huskers starting O-line has nearly three years per player of starting experience. Nebraska linemen frequently say they came back to the Big Red for “unfinished business.”
Offensive line coach Donovan Raiola , Dylan's uncle, has formed close bonds with his group. Donovan is teaching the unit new schemes to enhance protection for Dylan, who has completely changed the dynamics of the offense and its capabilities. By all accounts, Donovan is a demanding taskmaster, yet he is still revered by his group, a perfect combination emblematic of Rhule’s culture.
Toniu Fonoti sees Donovan Raiola’s “silent killer” demeanor rubbing off on Nebraska’s offensive line #GBR #NBNR #Huskers pic.twitter.com/IRZdNe7dYh
— No BlockNo Rockᴺᴮᴺᴿ (@NBNRPodcast) April 4, 2024
Despite the mania for Dylan Raiola, he has not yet officially been named the Nebraska starting QB. Matt Rhule is demanding that all players compete for every spot in the lineup and on the depth chart. And that spirit of competition is breeding noticeable improvement and confidence among the players.
When Rhule brought the Baylor program back from the ashes, he forced quarterback Charlie Brewer to continuously compete for his job. These tactics ignited Baylor’s run to a Sugar Bowl berth and program renaissance.
The combination of improved player quality and competition has made the Huskers better and deeper at almost every position. That is why when Chief Borders entered the portal, few were concerned. As much as Borders improved during spring camp, he still could not win a starting job either as a defensive lineman or at the Jack position.
Competition is keeping Raiola on his toes and is undoubtedly one of the reasons he wants to train with Mahomes. Dylan’s lack of entitlement and privilege is one of the reasons the true freshman is so respected and admired by teammates. Those traits are essential for a championship quarterback and epitomize Rhule’s leadership excellence.
Matt Rhule said he wants the spring game format to continue to be about competition as the #Huskers near the end of spring practice.
— Inside Nebraska (@NebraskaRivals) April 15, 2023
"This is not a show."
"We're 4-8... we have to earn the right to say that we're a good team."
Full video: https://t.co/vEyrlLDbwm pic.twitter.com/C7KOAUAtqm
For the millions of real college football fans wanting an escape from the incessant tumult and chaos of Deion Sanders and his cult following, there is none to be found, especially for Big Red loyalists.
In the August 31 season opener against the UTEP Miners, Nebraska will encounter the presence of Xavier Smith, who has been in the news this week for his social media wars with Sanders & Sons. Smith did not like how Coach Prime handled him during his time in Boulder. In turn, Prime and his son Shedeur Sanders, the Buffs QB, were unnecessarily dismissive in their responses to Smith.
Last year, after Colorado beat Nebraska in Boulder, Shedeur took shots at Matt Rhule, claiming “disrespect.” But in typical Sanders & Sons form, standards of showing respect to others do not apply to Prime and his boys.
For a man who loves to wear his supposed Christian faith on his sleeve, Deion flashed more of his perpetual hypocrisy, as did Shedeur, by playing the respect card drawn from under his sleeve while giving none to others.
When Nebraska hosts Colorado on September 7, it will likely be the marquee event of the weekend. Husker fans have been talking about the game since last season ended. Now, with the 24/7 news cycle at CU and the momentum of a successful Nebraska spring performance, the showdown between the Huskers and Buffs will be the main topic of conversation in the Cornhusker State for the next four months.
Notably, Xavier Smith went on to earn FCS Freshman All-American honors playing DB at Austin Peay while Colorado finished 127th nationally in passing defense and 98th in coverage grade.
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) April 30, 2024
Even if he didn't start, hard to argue he wouldn't have provided quality depth as a freshman. https://t.co/5dABabLeme
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