Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska's Matt Rhule reveals eye-popping cost to lure transfer portal QB during NIL era

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 11/30/23

There was a point in time when college players being paid was unthinkable. It happened, of course, but it was under the table or in a McDonalds bag. For superstar players, "payment" came in the form of mom receiving a new car or in Reggie Bush's case, a home.

That's how things used to be done. It was "wink-wink, nudge nudge," and generally, the NCAA turned a blind eye to how top programs were landing elite players.

Things have changed in the NIL era, though. Changed so much, in fact, that Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule believes that it will take a million or more in NIL money to lure a transfer quarterback to Nebraska this offseason.

Matt Rhule: "A good QB in the portal costs $1 million, $1.5, 2 million" in NIL.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 29, 2023

The money alone is mind-blowing. Even more eerie, though, is a big-time college football coach openly talking about spending millions on a player. It takes some getting used to.

Speaking X's and O's, Nebraska does have two quarterbacks coming back next season if everything stays as it is. Chubba Purdy started Nebraska's last two games and Heinrich Haarberg finished the season with 967 yards and seven touchdowns (with seven interceptions) to his name. he also had five rushing touchdowns.

Both have two years of eligibility remaining, but does either player inspire confidence heading into Rhule's second season in Lincoln?

It remains to be seen if Nebraska will go quarterback shopping in the transfer portal, but one thing is clear: Rhule seems to know it will come with a cost.

More must-reads: