Matt Rhule is actively recruiting prospects for his Nebraska squad as he stopped by Lincoln Lutheran High School to watch one of the Huskers’ newest offers in action. His staff has started a significant rebuild of the offensive line following the departure of Donovan Raiola, who holds a 77.1 score in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric.
However, Rhule also suffered a massive blow with the loss of a commitment from the defensive line.
Matt Rhule Faces Transfer Portal Setback As Clemson Enters Race for Top DT
247Sports analyst Chris Hummer submitted a Crystal Ball prediction on Saturday projecting Clemson to flip Nebraska JUCO All-American defensive tackle commit Andy Burburija, who committed to the Cornhuskers less than a week ago.
Burburija received his offer from Nebraska on Jan. 7 and committed just four days later. Dabo Swinney’s Clemson has continued recruiting the JUCO star, as he cannot sign with the Huskers immediately. Coming from the junior college ranks, he must wait until next month’s National Signing Day to sign officially.
Burburija is listed as the No. 56 overall player in the country, the No. 9 defensive lineman, and the No. 8 prospect in Illinois, according to the 247Sports Composite JUCO rankings. He played for Iowa Western Community College in the 2025 season, recording 45 tackles, 18.5 for a loss, and 11 sacks. He was named a NJCAA First Team All-American after the 2025 season. He has recorded 14 total sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in the last two seasons.
Burburija’s recruitment journey has been crazy this year, as he initially committed to Washington State in October and then flipped to Kansas State in December after picking up an offer from the Wildcats.
He signed with Kansas State on the same day he committed, but a coaching change from Chris Klieman to Collin Klein prompted him to enter the transfer portal. Following Klieman’s retirement, Burburija became the first 2026 signee to be released from his agreement with the Wildcats.
Despite holding an offer from Clemson and taking a two-day visit to Swinney’s program, Burburija chose to commit to Rhule’s Nebraska last Sunday. If he ultimately switches his commitment to Clemson, it will be a massive win for the Tigers.
He is viewed as a high-upside prospect eager to make the jump to the Power Four level, with his 295-pound frame and physical presence standing out clearly on film. As for Nebraska, Burburija was the first Iowa Western player the Huskers had landed during the Rhule era.
If he flips to Clemson, it would be the second time this month that Rhule’s squad believed they had filled a key position but lost him days later. Former Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey committed to Nebraska on the first Sunday after the transfer portal opened. Still, he backed off his commitment the following day and signed with Kentucky.
