Nebraska’s Ru’Quan Buckley enters transfer portal

One of the Nebraska football team’s scholarship linemen has opted to look for a new school.

Junior offensive lineman Ru’Quan Buckley entered the transfer portal Thursday, according to multiple reports, marking Nebraska’s second scholarship transfer of the spring window.

Buckley was a highly touted defensive line recruit who joined the Huskers in 2021, appearing in just one game across his first two seasons. He emerged as a rotational interior lineman in the fall, appearing in eight of Nebraska’s first nine games last season.

Having played 60-plus snaps and recorded one tackle, Buckey switched to the offensive line late in the season. Buckley worked there this spring, practicing as an interior offensive lineman in a crowded, young room.

“Ru’Quan’s one of those guys on the team that whatever room he’s in is a better room,” head coach Matt Rhule said on March 28. “He’s one of those fundamental leaders that raises the standard of everyone in the room. When he speaks, everyone listens; when he speaks, I listen.”

Buckley’s goal to earn playing time at the new position will now occur at a different school. Players had until May 1 to submit their names into the transfer portal with the ability to choose their landing spot at a later date.

Buckley joins Jack linebacker Chief Borders as Nebraska’s scholarship transfers alongside walk-on quarterback Jack Woche and walk-on linebacker Korver Demma during the spring transfer window.