Husker freshman OLB Wynden Ho’ohuli enters transfer portal
Wynden Ho’ohuli entered the transfer portal Friday.
The latest episode begins with NU’s new QB situation. Plus, the guys share thoughts on some interesting comments from a men’s hoops player … among other Husker topics.
Nebraska is losing a young defensive player to the transfer portal.
Redshirt freshman outside linebacker Wynden Ho’ohuli entered his name Friday, the Journal Star confirmed, making him the seventh scholarship player to leave the program since late November.
Ho’ohuli (6-foot-3 and 220 pounds) was a heralded prospect out of Hawaii, checking in as a consensus four-star recruit and considered one of the top 200 players in the 2021 class by both Rivals and 247Sports.
He arrived on Nebraska’s campus last summer but did not dress for most games during his only season and did not make the travel roster for any of NU’s five road games.
Ho’ohuli was the first Hawaiian player to sign with Nebraska since 1999 and played his high school ball at powerhouse Mililani High on O’ahu.
It has been a long stretch since Ho’ohuli actually played in a football game because Mililani did not have a 2020 season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. That means he’ll enter the fall of 2022 having not appeared in a live game since the fall of 2019.
Even so, NU and lead recruiter Tony Tuioti were high on Ho’ohuli when he signed his national letter of intent and arrived on campus.
Tuioti left Nebraska for the defensive line coach job at Oregon just before Christmas.
The other scholarship players to transfer from Nebraska in the past two months are quarterback Adrian Martinez, running backs Sevion Morrison and Marvin Scott, defensive back Malik Williams and inside linebackers Jackson Hannah and Will Honas.
Briefly
Secondary coach Travis Fisher signed a one-year extension Thursday night, according to a copy of the amendment obtained by the Journal Star via records request. With his signature, all 10 of Scott Frost’s full-time assistant coaches are under contract through Dec. 31, 2023.
Fisher, who saw his salary jump from $125,000 to $450,000 two years ago, has no change in his salary going forward.
NU’s 10 assistant coaches will combine to make $5.15 million in base salary in 2022.
Keeping up with the transfer portal. Here’s who the Huskers have coming to Lincoln
Casey Thompson, QB
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.
Chubba Purdy, QB
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.
Trey Palmer, WR/Returner
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.
Hunter Anthony, OL
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.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, WR
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.
Brian Buschini, P
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.
Timmy Bleekrode, K
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.
Kevin Williams, OL
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.
Tommy Hill, DB
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.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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