Keeping up with the transfer portal. Here's who the Huskers have coming to Lincoln
Here's a closer look at the transfer players the Nebraska football team is bringing in for 2022 and beyond.
Ochaun Mathis, DL
Updated
Previous school: TCU
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder started a total of 34 games for TCU. He recorded 45 tackles, including seven for loss and four sacks this past season. That followed a breakout campaign in 2020, when he led the team with nine sacks and ranked second with 14 tackles for loss.
Devin Drew, DT
Updated
Previous school: Texas Tech
Remaining eligibility: One year
Of note: A native of Raytown, Missouri, Drew, a 6-foot-2, 280-pounder, made 34 tackles in 13 games this past fall and had 55 stops in all in two seasons at Texas Tech.
Kaine Williams
Updated
Previous school: Alabama
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note: Williams played in one game last season for Alabama, appearing on special teams in the SEC championship game against Georgia.
Casey Thompson, QB
Updated
Previous school: Texas
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Thompson is the most notable transfer Nebraska has added so far because of the position he plays. He started 10 games for the Longhorns last year and led the Big 12 in touchdown passes with 24. He’ll be considered the favorite to win NU’s starting quarterback job under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He’ll be on campus for this semester.
Deondre Jackson, RB
Updated
Previous school: Texas A&M
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note: Jackson was heavily recruited by Nebraska out of high school, but picked the Aggies. He got just three carries in his two years there, but NU is still high on his potential. He attended Stone Mountain High in Georgia, so the staff — including tight ends coach Sean Beckton — knows him well. He’ll be part of a wide-open position battle this spring.
Trey Palmer, WR/Returner
Updated
Previous school: LSU
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Palmer was a blue-chip recruit out of high school and saw his role steadily grow over his three years in Baton Rouge. Now, he’ll rejoin Mickey Joseph in Lincoln. Palmer can really run — he was timed at 10.42 in the 100 meters and 21.11 seconds in the 200 — and he’s also a dangerous return man. He profiles well in the spot vacated by Samori Toure and will be on campus this semester.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, WR
Updated
Previous school: New Mexico State
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Garcia-Castaneda had a productive season at NMSU, catching 37 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns. He was coveted as soon as he hit the transfer portal, but NU visited him in California and got him on campus for a visit in December. At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Garcia-Castaneda is a candidate for any spot in the Husker receiver rotation under Mickey Joseph.
Kevin Williams, OL
Updated
Previous school: Northern Colorado
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Williams, an Omaha North graduate, is a multi-year starter at the FCS level and began the 2021 season as the Bears’ starting left tackle. He’s got positional versatility and could be a candidate at tackle or guard for the Huskers in 2022. In a young room overall, he adds a veteran presence.
Hunter Anthony, OL
Updated
Previous school: Oklahoma State
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: The Oklahoma native entered 2020 as OSU’s starting right tackle, but an injury cost him most of the season. Then he served as a backup this fall. In Lincoln, the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder will be a candidate both at right tackle and at either guard spot. He’s on campus this semester.
Tommy Hill, DB
Updated
Previous school: Arizona State
Remaining eligibility: Three years plus a redshirt
Of note: Nebraska loved Hill out of high school in Orlando in the 2021 class, but he ended up at ASU and earned playing time right away. The Huskers jumped on him as soon as he entered the portal, and now he’ll compete for playing time in a secondary that must replace three starters. He’s on campus this semester.
Timmy Bleekrode, K
Updated
Previous school: Furman
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Bleekrode immediately becomes the favorite to handle place-kicking duties after he was recruited from Furman by new special teams coordinator Bill Busch. The Atlanta native made 15-of-18 field goals in 2021 with a long of 51 yards and is 21-of-25 over the past two seasons.
Brian Buschini, P
Updated
Previous school: Montana
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Buschini was named the FCS punter of the year after averaging better than 47 yards per punt and more than 44 net yards per attempt. He was considered perhaps the best punter available on the transfer market this winter and will be counted on right away in Lincoln. He’s on campus this semester.
Omar Brown, CB
Updated
Previous school: Northern Iowa
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Brown, a Minneapolis native, was named the FCS freshman of the year and a first-team All-American by Phil Steele and Hero Sports after logging 77 tackles and six interceptions in 2019.
Stephon Wynn, DL
Updated
Previous school: Alabama
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Wynn appeared in seven games last season for the Crimson Tide.
Marcus Washington, WR
Updated
Previous school: Texas
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: A 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, Washington caught 25 passes for 366 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons with Texas. In 12 games last fall, including seven starts, he had 18 receptions for 277 yards.
Chubba Purdy, QB
Updated
Previous school: Florida State
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note:
Purdy started one game in 2020 and appeared in three overall, completing 27-of-53 passes for 219 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He appeared just once in 2021 — Purdy completed all five of his passes for 98 yards and two scores.
Originally published on journalstar.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
As featured on
Nebraska has made no bones about its need to bolster its pass rush. Enter Mathis, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive end, into this discussion.
"They were so attentive about every little aspect of the program," Ochana Daniels said of the family's April 7-9 visit to Nebraska's campus. "I mean, the entire staff met us and I was like, 'Wow, this is totally different than any official or unofficial visit we've ever had.'" NU's work obviously paid off handsomely.
In the wake of Nebraska landing former TCU defensive end Ochaun Mathis, former Texas Tech defensive lineman Devin Drew announced he will play for the Huskers in 2022.
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