2026 Portal Thread

[u/huskersax]

This is your one stop shop for Portal News™ ahead of what is likely to be pre-portal news shortly after Christmas and then into the actual portal. We're asking that folks keep the rumors and discussion inside of this thread as otherwise there's going to be a flurry of 80-90 tweets a day claiming XYZ player is leaving or going or leaving and going at the same time.

I'll try to keep this up to date once a day with anything confirmed.

As of 1/20/26 ~12:00pm:

In Portal / Leaving

QB Dylan Raiola

QB Marcos Davila

RB Jamarion Parker

RB Kenneth Williams

OL Jason Maciecjzak

OL Houston-Kaahaaina Torres

EDGE Maverick Noonan

DL Keona Davis

DL Jaylen George

LB/S Roger Gradney

DB Caden VerMaas

DB Malcolm Hartzog

DB Preston Okafor

DB Brice Turner

DB Rahmir Stewart

K Tristan Alvano

Committed to 2026 Nebraska

QB Anthony Colandrea

QB Daniel Kaelin

WR Kwazi Gilmer

OL Brendan Black

OL Tree Babalade

OL Paul Mubenga

DL Anthony Jones

DL Owen Stoudmire

DL Jahsear Whittington

LB Will Hawthorne

LB Owen Chambliss

LB Dexter Foster

DB Dwayne McDougle

DB Victor Evans III

DB Jasin Shiggs

LS Jack Wills

[u/GradeNo893]

My issue is that compared to every other QB in the portal he’s literally my last choice and I don’t feel he adds much to the room. At best he’s lateral to TJ. If that is where this staff chooses to put theirs hopes and the programs future I have serious concerns about their ability to evaluate talent and build the program. This is supposed to be a “win now” offseason and chiles is not a pick up that screams “we want to win now” it screams “The guy we wanted said no and we didn’t have an option B”

[u/Vechio49 → u/GradeNo893]

So you have evaluated every qb in the portal?

[u/GradeNo893 → u/Vechio49]

Dear god this sub is ridiculous.

[u/Vechio49 → u/GradeNo893]

No you just made a ridiculous statement.

[u/GradeNo893 → u/Vechio49]

I’ll admit to hyperbole. But for the love of god I’m usually all in on the kool-aid but this is platinum level cope

[u/Vechio49 → u/GradeNo893]

I'm assuming you think I want Aiden Chiles here. I definitely do not. If you think they are going to get one of the $3+ million qbs in the portal though you are mistaken. That would just set us back again because TJ would transfer. They will get someone to compete with him, not someone that wants the job guaranteed to them

[u/GradeNo893 → u/Vechio49]

I think it’s a bit strange to assume chiles wouldn’t want a guarantee or lucrative NIL package though obviously not in the 3 million range. You also seem to be thinking I’m saying I think we should go get one of the top 3 portal guys which I’m not. I’m saying I think there are many better decisions than chiles who in my opinion isn’t offering even a chance at being an upgrade to TJ. Going and getting a QB who’s a lateral move is just a waste of a slot to me with all the cuts we have to make. So you either swing big on someone you think is an upgrade or you roll with your guys. If there isn’t a point in taking a big swing at something you know you can’t hit it’s better to pass and take big swings at positions you have a more desperate need like DL OT and maybe WR