Matt Rhule explains the value of experience and depth in Nebraska’s roster

Matt Rhules Nebraska The team should be much improved after an up-and-down season (5-7) in the head coach’s first year in Lincoln. And a big reason Rhule is confident the Cornhuskers are on the right track is the depth and experience they have on the roster.

In 2023, the Cornhuskers had 82 freshmen and sophomore starters, most of whom stayed and are now sophomores and third-year starters. Those players, along with nearly 20 returning starters on offense and defense, will likely give Nebraska a notable step forward in 2024.

“What’s special about us is that we have 19 returning starters and 82 freshmen and sophomores,” Rhule told FOX Sports. Joel Klatt in an interview. “It’s wild and a blessing for us to have three of our best players – Ben Scott, Bryce Benhart, Isaac Gifford – everyone decided to come back and give up the NFL. Ty Robinsonactually, four guys who had draft grades decided not to go to the NFL. I told a few of them, ‘You should go to the NFL, buddy, what are you doing?’ And they said, ‘No, I want to come back.’ And so I have this elite experience that is really talented and also a lot of really good, young players watching them.”

Rhule also talked about how there will be a need for more depth in the future when there are 12 or 14 teams in the College Football Playoffs and teams could play up to 17 games. He compared it to NFL teams using more players than the 53 that are allowed on the roster at any given time.

“Absolutely. I think there’s experience and depth as we move into the College Football Playoff era – we’ll play 17 games. An NFL team may have a 53-man roster, but there are unlimited transfers, so you might need 90 guys to have 53 guys,” Rhule said.

With his newfound experience and depth, Rhule hopes he can turn the current circumstances into a sustainable, playoff-worthy program that enjoys great success both in the league and nationally.

“That’s why I think we can win this year. We have that experience and the young players will be more experienced in the years to come. And that’s how I think you build something that will hopefully ultimately get you to the College Football Playoffs,” Rhule said.