Nebraska football’s 2024 transfer production so far

In theory, that dial could go to 22 — the number of offensive and defensive starters who are newcomers via the portal. No program has embraced the portal to that degree, but the early talk of the season, first-year Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, has 13 transfers among its 22 starters, most of whom followed Cignetti from James Madison. IU is 3-0 with three blowout wins.

On the other end is Iowa, where Kirk Ferentz has coached since 1999. The Hawkeyes have one new starter from the portal — Northwestern transfer receiver Jacob Gill — and two players — quarterback Cade McNamara and linebacker Nick Jackson — who arrived from Michigan and Virginia two years ago. The Hawkeyes build their starting roster from recruiting classes full of Midwestern players.

Nebraska for now sits between those two extreme settings.

The Huskers’ leading rusher (Dante Dowdell) and receiver (Isaiah Neyor) transferred in from Oregon and Texas, respectively. Another starting wideout, Jahmal Banks, arrived from Wake Forest. Micah Mazzccua (Florida) started the first two games this season before getting benched as a coach’s decision.

On defense, Arizona State transfer Tommi Hill is in his third year as a starting corner and Jack linebacker MJ Sherman is in his second year of starting. And Saturday night, Syracuse transfer linebacker Stefon Thompson — a starter at his previous stop — got his first start at NU.

“He played well,” NU defensive coordinator Tony White said of Thompson, who played for White at Syracuse. “There are some plays he wants back but it’s good to see him — especially from his injury — to come over here and work himself into good shape, learn the system, the Nebraska way we do things, and see him go put it on the grass in front of his family, it’s fun.”

Like some — though not all — transfers into Nebraska, Thompson was drawn to NU by the culture established by coach Matt Rhule “that keeps the same standard.” He also needed time to adjust to it.

“We’ve got to start at the bottom and build ourselves to the top,” Thompson said of NU’s weekly mindset. “We’ve got to start low, get higher, day by day.”

Thompson came to NU at a position of need — inside linebacker — after the graduation of Nick Henrich and Luke Reimer. Neyor, Banks and Mazzccua did, as well. Dowdell, still a redshirt freshman, became the team’s top power back as Gabe Ervin continues his full return to health after a torn hip ligament. At corner, NU remains bullish on Blye Hill (FCS St. Francis) and Ceyair Wright (USC) but, for now, the Huskers have chosen to start converted safety Marques Buford opposite Tommi Hill. Quarterback Jayln Gramstad (Northwestern (Iowa)) and linebacker Vince Genatone (Montana) are reserves.

Rhule had said often to the local media — and reiterated this week on the “The Rich Eisen Show” — that he prefers to improve his roster primarily through recruiting classes and development.

“People think you can flip the team really quickly,” Rhule said of using the portal. “But if you look at the teams that are really winning, they’re not doing it ‘all’ portal.”

Rhule acknowledged Indiana — 3-9 in 2023 — is a “completely different” team in 2024. NU is, too, Rhule noted, although the presence of freshman recruit Dylan Raiola is a factor along with transfer portal additions.

Nebraska aims to find a “sweet spot,” Rhule said, between adding high-end talent from the portal and high school programs.

“I’m going to develop and grow and recruit high school players so I always have this strong base,” Rhule said.

Even as, in the 2024 portal cycle, the Huskers have had a good hit rate with transfers.

A look at NU’s 2024 transfer additions from four-year schools:

Running back Dante Dowdell: 31 carries, 184 yards, three touchdowns

Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor: 12 catches, 187 yards, three touchdowns

Wide receiver Jahmal Banks: 7 catches, 76 yards, 1 touchdown

Offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua: 2 starts at right guard

Linebacker Stefon Thompson: 8 tackles, 1 pass breakup

Cornerback Ceyair Wright: 1 tackles

Quarterback Jayln Gramstad: 11 yards passing, 1 carry, 2 yards

Linebacker Vince Genatone: 3 games played, no stats

Cornerback Blye Hill: no games played

Tight end Mac Markway: no games played, out for season