A pair of Nebraska players are entering the transfer portal ahead of spring ball.
Outside linebacker Pheldarius Payne is reentering his name into the portal and redshirt freshman wide receiver Will Nixon is transferring, as well, the Journal Star confirmed Friday afternoon.
Payne has already been in the portal once. He submitted his name on Dec. 6, but then withdrew it and returned to Nebraska 11 days later, signaling his intention to remain at Nebraska.
Now, though, he’ll search for another place to play once again.
Payne (6-foot-3 and 260 pounds) has played the past two seasons with the Huskers after beginning his collegiate career at Lackawanna (Pennsylvania) Community College.
He was essentially a rotation player in both of those seasons, compiling 21 tackles (two for loss) over Nebraska’s shortened, eight-game season in 2020 and 19 tackles (2½ for loss) over the Huskers’ first 10 games this fall.
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Payne, a Suffolk, Virginia, native, missed NU’s final two games of the season with an injury. He has one season of eligibility plus a redshirt remaining.
Nixon was a high school standout at running back and receiver in Waco, Texas, but had his first season cut short at Nebraska cut short by a knee injury. He appeared to be a good fit in NU’s “Duck-R” position as a slot-type receiver, though the Husker passing game is undergoing changes under new coordinator Mark Whipple and receivers coach Mickey Joseph.
The Huskers have added five receivers to the mix this offseason (two transfers and three high school signees) and are as deep as they’ve been numberswise at the position in coach Scott Frost’s tenure.
Nixon is the son of Jeff Nixon, a former Baylor and current Carolina Panthers assistant coach. He has four seasons of eligibility remaining.
Nebraska begins spring football Monday. It runs through March and culminates with the Red-White Spring Game on April 9 at Memorial Stadium.
Keeping up with the transfer portal. Here’s who the Huskers have coming to Lincoln
Casey Thompson, QB
Previous school: Texas
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Thompson is the most notable transfer Nebraska has added so far because of the position he plays. He started 10 games for the Longhorns last year and led the Big 12 in touchdown passes with 24. He’ll be considered the favorite to win NU’s starting quarterback job under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He’ll be on campus for this semester.
Chubba Purdy, QB
Previous school: Florida State
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note:
Purdy started one game in 2020 and appeared in three overall, completing 27-of-53 passes for 219 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He appeared just once in 2021 — Purdy completed all five of his passes for 98 yards and two scores.
Trey Palmer, WR/Returner
Previous school: LSU
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Palmer was a blue-chip recruit out of high school and saw his role steadily grow over his three years in Baton Rouge. Now, he’ll rejoin Mickey Joseph in Lincoln. Palmer can really run — he was timed at 10.42 in the 100 meters and 21.11 seconds in the 200 — and he’s also a dangerous return man. He profiles well in the spot vacated by Samori Toure and will be on campus this semester.
Hunter Anthony, OL
Previous school: Oklahoma State
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: The Oklahoma native entered 2020 as OSU’s starting right tackle, but an injury cost him most of the season. Then he served as a backup this fall. In Lincoln, the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder will be a candidate both at right tackle and at either guard spot. He’s on campus this semester.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, WR
Previous school: New Mexico State
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Garcia-Castaneda had a productive season at NMSU, catching 37 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns. He was coveted as soon as he hit the transfer portal, but NU visited him in California and got him on campus for a visit in December. At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Garcia-Castaneda is a candidate for any spot in the Husker receiver rotation under Mickey Joseph.
Clark Grell
Brian Buschini, P
Previous school: Montana
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Buschini was named the FCS punter of the year after averaging better than 47 yards per punt and more than 44 net yards per attempt. He was considered perhaps the best punter available on the transfer market this winter and will be counted on right away in Lincoln. He’s on campus this semester.
Timmy Bleekrode, K
Previous school: Furman
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Bleekrode immediately becomes the favorite to handle place-kicking duties after he was recruited from Furman by new special teams coordinator Bill Busch. The Atlanta native made 15-of-18 field goals in 2021 with a long of 51 yards and is 21-of-25 over the past two seasons.
Kevin Williams, OL
Previous school: Northern Colorado
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Williams, an Omaha North graduate, is a multi-year starter at the FCS level and began the 2021 season as the Bears’ starting left tackle. He’s got positional versatility and could be a candidate at tackle or guard for the Huskers in 2022. In a young room overall, he adds a veteran presence.
Tommy Hill, DB
Previous school: Arizona State
Remaining eligibility: Three years plus a redshirt
Of note: Nebraska loved Hill out of high school in Orlando in the 2021 class, but he ended up at ASU and earned playing time right away. The Huskers jumped on him as soon as he entered the portal, and now he’ll compete for playing time in a secondary that must replace three starters. He’s on campus this semester.
Nebraska linebacker Pheldarius Payne takes on the Fordham offense on Sept. 4 at Memorial Stadium.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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