Friday Flakes: Nebraska’s Matt Rhule Responds to a Question About Tampering, the 26’ Signing Class and the Transfer Portal
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Yesterday, Matt Rhule had his usual press conference prior to a game on the weekend. A member of the Nebraska football press asked a question. I put the question below, but I think this was the reporter’s attempt to try and get a response regarding Dayton Raiola’s recent decommitment from the 2026 class. Dayton Raiola is the younger brother of current Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola.
We know that Rhule (and any other coach) would not directly respond to decommitment in a class that has not been signed. The NCAA rules and regulations are constantly changing but I am guessing it is still frowned upon to comment on players not on your roster and that are current commits. Maybe I’m wrong.
This situation however offers a bit more significance as Dayton’s brother is on the roster and his uncle is the offensive line coach. You cannot hope but wonder about the future of one, two or all three of those individuals. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it is more than nothing.
Regardless here is the question that was asked.
Question: “These next six weeks you may have player agents wanting to renegotiate, shopping their guys, a lot of tampering — a lot going on behind the scenes before the portal opens. How do you manage how messy this might get in December?”
Here was Rhule’s response:
“That’s why we hired Pat Stewart and Logan Holgorsen and Keith Williams and all those guys. At the end of the day the first priority is retaining the players on your own team that you feel should be here and then providing a vision for the others. We know some new rules might come out now so it is going to be a changing time. Last year we lost some players that I cared about and liked. But we brought in some real good ones too. To me, it’s always first, going to be about our own guys, the signing class in December — then the portal. It is what it is. We will attack it and try to be the best at it.”
It’s a great answer. It doesn’t say anything but it does make the point of caring about your own players first and foremost.
What happens with the Raiola’s will shake out at some point but it likely is not Rhule’s focus at this moment.
In a playful way, I wonder if Nebraska football has it’s own tampering team going out and doing our own “tampering.” I hope so.
SPORTS! SPORTS! JORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS!
Hoops Tunnel Talk: Sandfort’s Nebraska evolution, reflecting on Sioux Falls, and more
Welcome to another edition of Hoops Tunnel Talk, where HuskerOnline’s Robin Washut gives the inside scoop on all things Nebraska men’s basketball.
Here’s the latest buzz around the Huskers during their seventh season under head coach Fred Hoiberg…
Ask the Expert: Penn State writer shares outlook, score prediction for Saturday
Nebraska looks to eclipse the eight-win mark on Saturday for the first time since 2016. Penn State, which broke a six-game losing streak last week with its first Power Four, stands in the way.
HuskerOnline spoke with Sean Fitz of BlueWhiteIllustrated to get his outlook and score prediction for the matchup. Fitz broke down Penn State’s rushing attack, its plan to slow down Emmett Johnson and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer‘s skillset.
Rhule Report: As Nebraska finalizes Penn State prep, Lateef is ready to go
As Nebraska puts the finishing touches on its preparations for Penn State, plenty of intrigue remains surrounding TJ Lateef’s second start and Matt Rhule’s return to State College.
Rhule gave the latest on the Huskers following Thursday’s practice as they gear up for the Nittany Lions…
UC Investments puts $2.4 billion Big Ten deal on hold amid pushback from Michigan and USC
An investment group that was prepared to pay the Big Ten $2.4 billion for a 10 percent share of the conference’s media and sponsorship rights has put the deal on hold due to the continued public opposition from two schools, Michigan and USC.
UC Investments, which manages more than $200 billion in assets held by the California universities’ endowment and pension funds, issued a statement Monday saying it “requires some additional time to complete our due diligence” because of “recent developments.”
Is Nick Sirianni the most scrutinized good coach in the NFL?
Philadelphia Eagles fans are not easily pleased or placated for very long. These are the same fans who booed their own team off the field at halftime in Week 1 of the 2018 season … two quarters into the team’s first game after winning the city its first Super Bowl. Expectations are high, and judgment for the players and coaches who don’t meet those expectations in the court of public opinion can be swift. This isn’t a complaint or a criticism but merely a reflection of reality. Nobody should be naive about what they’re getting into if they’re stepping onto the field or running things off it in Philadelphia.\
Mariners to retire Randy Johnson’s No. 51 during 2026 season
SEATTLE — Hall of Fame left-hander Randy Johnson will have his No. 51 retired by the Seattle Mariners during a pregame ceremony on May 2, 2026, the club announced Thursday.
In June, the Mariners said Johnson’s No. 51 would become the fifth number retired by the franchise, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 24), Edgar Martinez (No. 11) and Ichiro Suzuki, who had his No. 51 retired this summer. All MLB teams have retired Jackie Robinson’s No. 42.
Bengals QB Joe Flacco hopes to remain a starter in 2026: ‘I still feel like I can do it’
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco hopes to be a starter somewhere in 2026, according to ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby. Next season would be Flacco’s 19th year in the NFL. He will turn 41 years old in January.
“STICK TO SPORTS!” Nah.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos