With some talented offensive linemen making late entries into the portal, it appears that the Nebraska football team’s quarterback is stepping up to assist in recruiting efforts. The Nebraska football program has openly expressed a desire to secure at least one more offensive lineman before the upcoming season, yet they’ve struggled to find success in this area, particularly since offensive tackle is one of their most urgent needs, right after wide receiver.
The team did sign former Alabama tackle Elijah Pritchett, but it’s evident that head coach Matt Rhule and his staff are looking for more. They recently targeted Shiyazh Pete, but he opted for Kentucky instead of Nebraska.
Recently, with Notre Dame and Ohio State concluding their regular seasons, several Irish offensive linemen have entered the transfer portal. Nebraska seems to be showing interest in interior offensive lineman Rocco Spindler and is utilizing quarterback Dylan Raiola as a strategic asset in this endeavor.
As the Nebraska QB goes after offensive linemen, Sam Pendleton’s entry into the portal presented a potential opportunity, but he quickly committed to the Tennessee Volunteers. This leaves Rocco Spindler as the standout Irish lineman currently available in the portal.
Moreover, on Friday, quarterback Dylan Raiola heightened the situation by following Rocco Spindler on social media, indicating a possible connection. While this is not a definitive signal of a commitment from Spindler, it does mark an important step in the recruiting process. The next step is to see if Spindler has any genuine interest in joining the team in Lincoln.
It’s been suggested that Michigan could be the frontrunner for Spindler’s commitment. Some might find it surprising that he would consider a rival school, but he is from Michigan. It’s also important to note that the rivalry has less significance now, as the two teams no longer play each other annually since Spindler’s enrollment.
Although Spindler may not perfectly align with Nebraska’s needs, as he is an interior lineman rather than a tackle, the program might still make it work. With the departure of their starting center and a backup who hasn’t yet started a college game, acquiring either a center or guard and possibly shifting Justin Evans to the center position could be a viable option.
