Nebraska's football program entered the offseason still echoing the final whistle of a three‑game losing streak that capped the 2025 schedule, a stretch that left the Huskers searching for a spark heading into the next chapter.
A Strategic Overhaul
The administration answered that call by turning to the transfer portal, landing five athletes whose résumés blend proven production with fresh energy. Each newcomer arrives with a specific mandate: to shore up a line that struggled last year, to add a dynamic arm at quarterback, and to inject veteran presence into a defense that has been thin on experience.
At the center of the offensive revamp is Anthony Colandrea, a quarterback who has already logged more than 7,500 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in his collegiate career. Having completed 65.9% of his throws in 2025, Colandrea is expected to step into the role vacated by Dylan Raiola, bringing a dual‑threat dimension that can extend plays and keep defenses guessing.
The trenches will be fortified by Tree Babalade and Paul Mubenga, both of whom bring size and starting experience from Power Five programs. Babalade, a 6‑foot‑5, 330‑pound lineman, logged 15 starts at South Carolina, while Mubenga, also 6‑foot‑5 and 317 pounds, began 11 games at LSU before entering the Nebraska system.
Leadership on Defense
Linebacker corps receive a boost from Owen Chambliss and Dexter Foster. Chambliss topped San Diego State with 110 tackles in 2025, and Foster contributed 95 stops over two seasons at Oregon State. Their arrival is seen as a direct response to a defensive unit that lacked depth in the previous campaign.
Coaches TJ Lateef, Dana Holgerson, Geep Wade and Rob Aurich have voiced confidence that the new pieces will mesh quickly, emphasizing that the staff’s priority is to integrate the transfers into the existing scheme while preserving the program’s physical identity.
If the chemistry clicks, the Huskers could turn the page on the recent slump and position themselves as contenders in the Big Ten, a prospect that has fans and alumni eager to see the new‑look squad take the field.