When it comes to offseason attrition, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have had the fewest departures in college football. However, this doesn’t mean that Matt Rhule‘s squad was immune to attrition. Let’s examine each of the four Nebraska players who chose to enter the transfer portal so far.
Chief Borders
In Chief Borders‘ only season with the program in 2023, the former four-star recruit racked up a career-high nine tackles as well as a pass breakup for the Huskers. While he only helped the Blackshirt’s production, more was needed for him to be featured. But during the Spring, his quality of play made him “one of the most improved players through camp.” And by all accounts, he was a significant presence in Rhule’s locker room. However, the 6-foot-4 linebacker got buried in the depth chart. This showed itself when talented true Princewill Umanmielien or Georgia transfer MJ Sherman quickly replaced him.. In multiple games for NU, the two combined for 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Can Borders recreate the same impact at a different school? Or does the grad transfer return to Memorial Stadium to play his last season in Lincoln?
Korver Denma
In his high school career with the Gretna Dragons, Korver Denma excelled at the linebacker position. He had 63 solo tackles, 23 sacks and 44 tackles for loss. And to cap off his spectacular career, the 220-pound linebacker received first-team all-state honors from the Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star. However, this type of success would translate to something other than early playing time in Memorial Stadium. This was primarily due to the staff recruiting over the freshman. In the months since his arrival, Vincent Shavers and Willis McGahee IV were added as linebackers that could play early. It also doesn’t help that the coaching staff added Stefon Thompson from Syracuse. With this much depth in Rob Dvoracek’s linebacker room, Denma had to consider his options. And a decision was reached early, as he would enter the transfer portal.
Read more about NU’s young linebackers in How The Nebraska Cornhuskers Fared On National Signing Day
Jack Woche
Jack Woche‘s arrival was unheralded by the media throughout his time with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In fact, no one really knew about the Texas native besides Rhule. However, the coaching staff must have seen something in him. In 2020, the signal caller would help lead IMG Academy to an 8-0 record. He would complete seven of his nine passes in the national championship game while adding one rushing touchdown. These sounded like great statistics for offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas to mold. But Woche didn’t end up playing at all in 2023. Instead, the transfer from Ole Miss could only watch as Jeff Sims and Chubba Purdy battled it out. This allowed him very little time to impress the coaching staff. But there remains hope for the former walk-on at his next destination. He only exhausted a little of his availability, which means Woche has plenty of time to make an impact. But which major program would take a chance on him?
Ru’Quan Buckley
As a three-star recruit in high school, Ru’Quan Buckley registered 74 tackles and eleven sacks in his senior year. He was also ranked as the 11th-best recruit in the state of Michigan. Unfortunately, Buckley couldn’t live up to expectations. Through eight games in 2023, the redshirt freshman only recorded a quarterback hurry against Louisiana Tech and a solo tackle against the Michigan Wolverines. However, he would only remain in his position for a short time. Buckley would transition to the offensive line in the last few contests of the season. And by all accounts, Rhule says that he was “a fundamental leader” in that position group alongside Micah Mazzccua. However, this newfound praise wouldn’t last long. Before it gained traction, Buckley entered the portal and scheduled a visit with Michigan State. Does this mean that Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith has a new lineman?
