Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and Chris Basnett break down impending decisions from Nebraska football transfer portal targets, plus hoops and Baylor Scheierman.
Nebraska’s reinforcement of a thin defensive front is underway.Â
Ochaun Mathis, a defensive end who starred for two seasons at TCU, announced Saturday he's headed to Nebraska to play in 2022.Â
The Athletic had Mathis listed as the best player available in the transfer portal.
He ultimately selected Nebraska over Texas, doing so via social-media video.Â
He told thousands of viewers that both schools and fan bases "showed much love to me and my family."
"You had us all feel welcome coming in and out of Austin (Texas) and Lincoln, Nebraska," he said. Â
"I'm very nervous," he added before placing a red Nebraska ball cap on his head to the delight of friends and family on hand at his ceremony.
He visited Nebraska on April 9 for the Red-White Spring Game, and made multiple visits to Texas' campus in Austin.Â
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In mid-February, he narrowed his list of possible transfer options to five. USC, Ole Miss and Penn State also were in the mix.Â
A two-time second-team All-Big 12 selection, Mathis entered the transfer portal Jan. 12.
Nebraska has made no bones about its need to bolster its pass rush. The Huskers ranked 98th nationally in sacks in 2021, averaging 1.67 per game, after ranking 96th in 2020 at 1.63.
Junior outside linebacker Garrett Nelson led Nebraska last season in both sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (11.5), and no other Husker had more than two sacks.
Enter Mathis into the equation. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder started a total of 34 games for TCU. He recorded 45 tackles, including seven for loss and four sacks this past season. That followed a breakout campaign in 2020, when he led the team with nine sacks and ranked second with 14 tackles for loss.
So, yes, it’s a big get for Nebraska.
For a while during the process, it seemed Texas was the favorite in the race. After all, Mathis is a native of the state. That, combined with the fact that his former coach at TCU, Gary Patterson, is now on the staff at UT, made the Longhorns a perceived favorite.
In a recent YouTube video, Mathis said he hopes to become "one of the next legendary defensive ends of whatever school I go to."
Legendary defensive end? Nebraska definitely could use that right now.
Who couldn’t?
Meanwhile, Nebraska awaits a final decision from another critical transfer portal target.
Former Texas Tech defensive lineman Devin Drew, 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, appeared in all 23 games for the Red Raiders over the past two seasons after transferring to the school from Iowa Western Community College. A Raytown, Missouri, native, Drew compiled 34 tackles in 13 games last fall and had 55 total over his two seasons in Lubbock, Texas.
He took an official visit to Nebraska last weekend and reportedly also visited Illinois while fielding interest from a host of other Power Five schools. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Drew's statistical profile is indeed impressive, as he logged 512 snaps in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus data. He saw extensive action in both running and passing situations and, according to PFF, was the Red Raiders’ top-graded rush defender for the season.
For reference, 512 snaps (in 13 games compared to NU’s 12) means Drew played more snaps than any NU defensive lineman except for Ben Stille (560). Next among NU interior defensive linemen was Ty Robinson (458).
Stille is one of several contributors for the Huskers that is not returning in 2022, although he’s the only of the departures that exhausted his collegiate eligibility. Damion Daniels and Deontre Thomas decided to explore their professional prospects and not return for a sixth college season, while Jordon Riley transferred to Oregon. Then, the most recent big hit: Casey Rogers entered the transfer portal after spring ball concluded.
That leaves Robinson and a host of inexperienced players like Nash Hutmacher, Mosai Newsom, walk-on Colton Feist and even younger options up front. Which is why the Huskers are hoping to add more than just Drew to their defensive line collection.
Before Drew played for Texas Tech, he appeared in 22 games over two seasons for Iowa Western in Council Bluffs. Over those two seasons, he racked up 14.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss to go along with five forced fumbles and 97 tackles overall.Â
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:Â
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.
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.
Omar Brown, CB
Previous school: Northern Iowa
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note:Â Brown, a Minneapolis native, was named the FCS freshman of the year and a first-team All-American by Phil Steele and Hero Sports after logging 77 tackles and six interceptions in 2019.
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.
Ochaun Mathis, DL
Previous school: TCU
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder started a total of 34 games for TCU. He recorded 45 tackles, including seven for loss and four sacks this past season. That followed a breakout campaign in 2020, when he led the team with nine sacks and ranked second with 14 tackles for loss.
Devin Drew, DT
Previous school: Texas Tech
Remaining eligibility: One year
Of note: A native of Raytown, Missouri, Drew, a 6-foot-2, 280-pounder, made 34 tackles in 13 games this past fall and had 55 stops in all in two seasons at Texas Tech.
Kaine Williams, S
Previous school: Alabama
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note: Williams played in one game last season for Alabama, appearing on special teams in the SEC championship game against Georgia.
Stephon Wynn, DL
Previous school: Alabama
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Wynn appeared in seven games last season for the Crimson Tide.
Marcus Washington, WR
Previous school: Texas
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: A 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, Washington caught 25 passes for 366 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons with Texas. In 12 games last fall, including seven starts, he had 18 receptions for 277 yards.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
Episode 73 The Showdown: Making the roster work
Steven M. Sipple
Husker sports columnist
Steven, a lifelong Nebraskan, newspaper enthusiast and UNL grad, joined the Journal Star in 1990 and has covered NU football since 1995.
