Nebraska transfer portal wins: 3 best players Matt Rhule secured from winter window ft. Dane Key

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have signed new players from the transfer portal to help improve the team. Matt Rhule led the Cornhuskers to their first bowl game since 2016. This offseason, he'll try to prepare Nebraska to potentially compete for a College Football Playoff spot later this year.

On Dec. 28, 2024, Nebraska (7-6, 3-6 Big Ten) defeated the Boston College Eagles (7-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) 20-15 in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. Quarterback Dylan Raiola ended the game by completing 22 of 30 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown.

The Cornhuskers progressed in the right direction this season after only winning five games in the 2023 season. That said, the team will lose several key players who finished their college career or transferred out of Nebraska. One notable player who will not return next season is wide receiver Jahmal Banks. He led the team in receiving yards with 44 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns.

The roster shakeup presents new opportunities for players who came to the program from the transfer portal.

Here are the top three players playing for the Cornhuskers coach next season.

Top three transfer portal players joining the Nebraska Cornhuskers next season

#3, Nyziah Hunter, wide receiver

The Cornhuskers signed wide receiver Nyziah Hunter for his upcoming sophomore year. Hunter played the first season of his college football career with the California Golden Bears (6-7, 2-6 ACC). He ended his freshman year with 40 receptions for 578 yards and five touchdowns.

On Nov. 30, 2024, he played his final game with California in their 38-6 blowout loss to the No. 11 SMU Mustangs (11-3, 8-0 ACC). Hunter led the Golden Bears in receiving yards with five receptions for 85 yards.

The absence of Banks and other wide receivers creates an opportunity for Hunter to become a target for Raiola next season.

#2, Marques Watson-Trent, linebacker

Another key player that Rhule's team acquired from the transfer portal is linebacker Marques Watson-Trent. He will finish his college football career with the Cornhuskers after spending five seasons with the Georgia Southern Eagles (8-5, 6-2 Sun Belt Conference).

He led the team in tackles with 120 total tackles, 52 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. On Dec. 19, 2024, Watson-Trent played his final game with Georgia Southern in the team's 31-26 defeat to the Sam Houston Bearkats (10-3, 6-2 Conference USA) in the R+L Carries New Orleans Bowl. The linebacker finished the game with 10 total tackles and seven solo tackles.

Nebraska was eighth in total yards allowed, with 4,133 yards. The addition of Watson-Trent could help improve the Cornhuskers defense for next season. Over the last three seasons, he has achieved 349 total tackles, 159 solo tackles, six sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions.

For his final year, Rhule may get the best college season from Watson-Trent before he declares for the 2026 NFL draft.

#1, Dane Key, wide receiver

Wide receiver Dane Key is the last notable player who could be a key asset to the Cornhuskers. On Dec. 24, 2024, he decided to leave the Kentucky Wildcats (4-8, 1-7 Southeastern Conference) after three seasons for Rhule's team. Key led Kentucky in receiving yards with 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns.

On Nov. 23, 2024, he made his final appearance for the Wildcats in the team's 31-14 loss to the No. 5 Texas Longhorns (13-2, 7-1 SEC). Key ended the matchup with three receptions for 29 yards.

Key could be a great addition to Nebraska's offense following the departure of Banks.