The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been incredibly active throughout the offseason. That’s both been to get better on the field and give back to the community, which is something head coach Matt Rhule has become incredibly proud of his team for. That recently included a youth camp, which was led by quarterback Dylan Raiola and several […]
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been incredibly active throughout the offseason. That’s both been to get better on the field and give back to the community, which is something head coach Matt Rhule has become incredibly proud of his team for.
That recently included a youth camp, which was led by quarterback Dylan Raiola and several other Cornhuskers players. Recently, Rhule praised his team and players for that approach throughout the offseason.
“I think we’ve done a really good job for three years of being out in the community,” Matt Rhule said. “Honestly, this past spring, as the guys, as the guys were so focused on football, a little bit of that fell off where it kind of became like, hey, this group of guys always win. And we made a big statement to them, in terms of like, I believe to whom much is given, much is required, and I also believe there’s all these kids, some of whom will never have a chance maybe to get in the stadium and see a football game. You have a chance to be in the community, go out and be around them, impact them, I think our guys love those kinds of things.”
One player who Matt Rhule highlighted in particular was Jacory Barney. He’s someone who has brought an infectious energy to the entire team. Now, it’s something he’s had the chance to bring to the community as well.
“At the same time, I watched Jacory, as I’ve told you guys before, Jacory has single-handedly changed like John Hohl‘s career last year. That’s a credit to John too, don’t get me wrong, but just the energy and juice he brought to the field goal periods, and the encouragement he brought to John just throughout the year. I can’t even describe it to you. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Yelling, screaming, saying crazy things, cheering. A period in college football where most people kind of sit there became one of the more fun periods. Then, I said something in the spring. ‘Hey, why don’t you do the same thing in the community?’ We had our youth camp,” Rhule said.
“And I went out there as they played like Husker Ball, and Emmett Johnson and those guys were competing like they were playing. So, I just think when you see people and you watch on game day and they’re not too cool, it’s really a cool thing.”
Matt Rhule on Nebraska players representing at Big Ten Media Days
The Nebraska players who went with Matt Rhule to Big Ten Media Days were also very impressive to him. That group was vocal, and as Rhule jokingly explained, when they had the chance to stay an extra night in Las Vegas, they took it to spend time bonding as a unit.
“I will say this, I was proud of our guys at media days… our guys were walking around, talking to people. We had a plane issue going back. So, I said to the guys, ‘Do you want to get back tonight and we’ll stay, or do you guys want to stay here tonight and we’ll go back?’ They chose to stay in Vegas for another night. What amazing guys, right? I told them I’m the greatest coach in the world for letting them have that decision, and they said, ‘Coach, Julie is with you. If Julie wasn’t here, you would have stayed.’ And I said, ‘If I wasn’t here, she would have stayed,’ but that’s a long story,” Rhule said.
“They stayed and I said to them the next day how was it, and they all went to dinner together. I thought that was really, that they were all out there hanging out, being around each other, being in the community, supporting each other. Someone comes up with a t-shirt, they’re all wearing it. I always say, you have to wear Husker gear, but if Emmett comes out with his own shirt, I say if you give me one, it counts as Husker gear.”
On the field, Nebraska has seen an improvement year over year under Matt Rhule. Now, in his third season with the program, the Cornhuskers are hoping to take a leap forward. Certainly, Rhule believes he has the people to get that done.
“So, I just think those things are really cool, but again, it’s the quality of the people that we have. I think I’m borrowing this from legacy, but better people make better Huskers. We’ve got great people. My daughter is at the Husker youth camp. She’ll come over to the building, guys won’t just walk up and say hi to her. They’re just great young men. I’m proud to coach them… we’re proud to be Huskers, we’re proud to be part of the community,” Rhule said. “And they’re giving back to that community, I hope.”
Nebraska will open up its season on the field on August 28th with a neutral-site game against Cincinnati. They’ll then have their home opener on September 6th against Akron.
Category: General Sports
