Nebraska Football Transfer Portal Update: Key Moves and Future Prospects
As the Nebraska football team gears up for bowl practices, an intriguing shift is happening behind the scenes: players are starting to declare their intentions to enter the transfer portal ahead of its official opening on January 2. This period is critical, not just for the athletes, but also for the coaches as they assess their current roster and future needs.
One of the most notable announcements comes from quarterback Dylan Raiola, who has been a starter for two years. As the portal opens, Raiola is expected to attract significant interest, making him a hot commodity in the coming weeks. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule emphasized the importance of evaluating the current team during bowl practices, stating, "Before you start looking at the portal, you want to make sure you get a real evaluation of our guys and the roles they could fill. It's vital for their development, but also crucial for the coaches to understand what they have in their room."
Below is a comprehensive list of Nebraska players who have declared their intention to enter the transfer portal, along with any known future destinations for these athletes.
OUT: Safety Caden VerMaas
On December 3, a source revealed that Caden VerMaas would enter the transfer portal when it officially opens. During his time with the Huskers, VerMaas participated in two games this season and has four years of eligibility left to pursue elsewhere. A standout athlete from Omaha's Millard North High School, VerMaas concluded his high school career with impressive stats: 93 tackles, five interceptions, and four forced fumbles, in addition to accumulating over 3,600 all-purpose yards and scoring 46 total touchdowns.
OUT: Running Back Jamarion Parker
Jamarion Parker, a former three-star running back hailing from St. Louis, has also opted to seek opportunities elsewhere, having not played in any games during his tenure in Lincoln. His remarkable high school performance included 168 carries for 1,730 yards and 24 touchdowns in his senior year alone, following a junior season where he amassed 1,644 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 147 carries, coupled with 16 receptions for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Parker retains four seasons of eligibility for his next chapter.
OUT: Quarterback Dylan Raiola
The news broke on December 15 that Dylan Raiola is set to enter the transfer portal on January 2. A legacy player for Nebraska, Raiola has spent two seasons as the starting quarterback, throwing for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions across nine starts in his sophomore season. Despite demonstrating improvement with a better passer rating, he faced challenges, being sacked 27 times—matching last year's total despite playing in fewer games. Raiola has two years of eligibility remaining and was rated as a five-star recruit, landing as the seventh overall player in the 2023 recruiting class according to 247Sports.
OUT: Defensive Back Malcolm Hartzog Jr.
Malcolm Hartzog Jr. had a promising start to his senior season in 2025, notably sealing a game against Cincinnati with an interception. However, an ongoing injury led him to redshirt this year. Hartzog finishes his time at Nebraska with 32 starts over four seasons, showcasing his versatility by playing safety, corner, and nickel. He accumulated 108 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, and defended 21 passes. He will have one year of eligibility remaining after transferring.
OUT: Cornerback Preston Okafor
Lastly, redshirt freshman Preston Okafor announced on December 19 his decision to enter the transfer portal when it opens. A native of Omaha, Okafor joined the program as a walk-on in the 2024 class. Although he did not see game action last season and redshirted in 2024, he participated in games against Akron and Houston Christian this past season, yet did not record any tackles. He has three seasons of eligibility left for his next opportunity.
This transfer portal season is shaping up to be monumental for Nebraska football, bringing both challenges and new possibilities. As these players seek to redefine their football journeys, what are your thoughts on the impact of the transfer portal? Do you agree with their decisions, or do you think they should have stayed? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments!
