In the World of Transfers, Nebraska Defensive End Williams Nwaneri Might be Huskers’ Most Impactful

Transfers in college football have taken on an increased and relevant role in roster building. Teams plug holes with transfers, and upgrade beyond what recruiting can do by itself.

Every school does it. Thus, acquiring transfers becomes another competitive battle of a college football program, another area in which one team can outperform another. And with the extra opportunity comes the opening to improve the program. And the chance to land players who are older and, in theory, more mature than they were coming out of high school.

For Nebraska, two transfers along the offensive line — Rocco Spindler, from Notre Dame, and Elijah Pritchett, from Alabama — garnered attention for helping rebuild a potential weak spot. Head coach Matt Rhule splashed some cold water on that last week when he said Pritchett is “an unbelievably talented player, but a lot of false starts and a lot of mistakes.”

Pritchett was listed as third-team left tackle on the latest depth chart.

Wide receiver transfers Dane Key (Kentucky) and Nyziah Hunter (California) are expected to give sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola experienced and talented targets.

Interesting that with so much talent and firepower, The Athletic would choose a defensive player as Nebraska’s “most important transfer portal addition” for 2025.

Williams Nwaneri making an impact

Defensive end Williams Nwaneri, who has drawn comparisons to KC Chiefs All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones, could be a much-needed addition to a Nebraska position group that lost Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher after last season.

Manny Navarro of The Athletic wrote about Nwaneri, a 6-foot-7, 265-pound redshirt freshman: “Matt Rhule brought in four full-time starters from other Power 4 teams to both protect and provide downfield targets for former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola.