As a result, the Huskers rely on the transfer portal for immediate help.
On Tuesday, the portal delivered again.
Three days after Nebraska signed former TCU defensive end Ochaun Mathis, former Texas Tech defensive lineman Devin Drew announced he will play for the Huskers in 2022.
Drew recently paid an official visit to the Nebraska campus and also seriously considered playing for Illinois.
A native of Raytown, Missouri, Drew made 34 tackles in 13 games last fall and had 55 total stops in two seasons at Texas Tech.
Before joining the Red Raiders, Drew spent two seasons, 2018 and 2019, at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Count Iowa Western trainer Scott Strohmeier as a believer in the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Drew.
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“Devin came in here as a middle linebacker,” the coach said. “That’s where he played in high school.”
However, when Iowa Western began preseason camp in 2018, Drew moved to defensive end. He was buried in the depth chart behind six other defensive ends, Strohmeier said.
But Drew was not buried for long.
“I remember coming to staff meetings after practice and the coaches wouldn’t stop talking about him,” Strohmeier said. “He was thinking, ‘The guy is a MIKE linebacker. How good are we going to be if he’s climbing the defensive end chart so fast?’
“It just went up and up and up.”
Eventually, of course, the Iowa Western coaches had to make final decisions about the roster. At that point, Strohmeier said, Drew clearly moved up to the starting level.
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“He’s a technician,” Strohmeier said. “He is quiet and works hard. He will do anything you ask of him.”
In two seasons at Iowa Western, Drew amassed 97 tackles, including 14.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. He also forced five fumbles.
“He doesn’t complain, he just works,” Strohmeier said. “He just kept working and kept working. We had some talented kids that year (2018), guys who were higher profile than him coming out of high school. But he just kept climbing and climbing and climbing.
“He takes coaching extremely well. Once you tell him something, he’ll just do it. I have to give credit to our defensive line coaches, Aaron Terry and Dave Tolleson. They just coached him every day. They kept coming back and saying, ‘Everything We tell this guy, he does it. If he’s not perfect with it, he’s going to work on it.
“For two years, he did what he was supposed to do and made plays when he was supposed to make plays.”
Some power conference schools might have prevented a full-court draft of Drew because he’s 6-foot-3 instead of 6-4 or taller. He is listed at 290 now after coming to Iowa Western in the 240-pound range. However, the Reivers coaching staff always projected him as a lineman.
Granted, Strohmeier said, Drew isn’t necessarily as physically gifted as former Iowa Western (and Oklahoma) standout Perrion Winfrey, who was drafted in the fourth round Saturday by the Cleveland Browns.
“But Devin will help you win games,” Strohmeier said. “He does everything right. He gets his job done; he’s not going to screw it up. And when he has to make plays, he’ll be there to make them. The guy just wants to help you win.”
Keeping up to date with the transfer portal. This is what the Huskers have to come to Lincoln
Casey Thompson, quarterback
Before school: Roof tiles
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 will be considered the favorite to win the NU starting quarterback job under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He will be on campus this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Chubba Purdy, quarterback
Before school: State of Florida
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 only once in 2021: Purdy completed all five of his passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
Associated Press file photo
Trey Palmer, WR/Returner
Before school: LSU
Remaining Eligibility: Two years plus a red jersey
Of note: Palmer was a top-tier recruit straight out of high school and saw his role grow steadily during his three years in Baton Rouge. Now, he’s meeting Mickey Joseph in Lincoln. Palmer can really run — he clocked 10.42 in the 100m and 21.11 in the 200 — and he’s also a dangerous returner. He has a good profile in the place vacated by Samori Toure and will be on campus this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Hunter Anthony, OL
Before 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. He then served as backup this fall. At Lincoln, the 6-foot-6, 330-pound player will be a candidate for both the right tackle and guard jobs. He is on campus this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Isaiah Garcia-Castañeda, WR
Before school: State of New Mexico
Remaining Eligibility: Two years plus a red shirt
Of note: Garcia-Castañeda had a productive season at NMSU, catching 37 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns. He was coveted as soon as he arrived at the transfer portal, but NU visited him in California and brought him to campus for a visit in December. At 6-foot-190, Garcia-Castañeda is a candidate for anywhere in Husker’s receiving rotation with Mickey Joseph.
clark grell
Brian Buschini, P.
Before school: Mountain
Remaining Eligibility: Three years
Of note: Buschini was named FCS Punter of the Year after averaging more than 47 yards per punt and more than 44 net yards per attempt. He was considered perhaps the best kicker available on the transfer market this winter and will be counted on immediately at Lincoln. He is on campus this semester.
MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS
Timmy BleekrodeK
Before school: Furman
Remaining Eligibility: Three years
Of note: Bleekrode becomes an immediate favorite to take over the kicking duties after new special teams coordinator Bill Busch recruits him from Furman. The Atlanta native made 15 of 18 shots from the field in 2021 with a 51-yard drive and is 21 of 25 the past two seasons.
furman athletics
Kevin Williams, OL
Before 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 has positional versatility and could be a tackle or guard candidate for the Huskers in 2022. In an overall young room, he adds a veteran presence.
Tommy Hill, DB
Before school: State of Arizona
Remaining Eligibility: Three years plus a red jersey
Of note: Nebraska loved Hill when he came out of high school in Orlando in the class of 2021, but he ended up at ASU and gained playing time right away. The Huskers swarmed him as soon as he entered the portal, and he will now be competing for playing time in a secondary that will have to replace three starters. He’s on campus this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Ochaun Mathis, DL
Before school: TCU
Remaining Eligibility: Two years
Of note: The 6-foot-5, 260-pound player started a total of 34 games for TCU. He had 45 tackles, including seven for loss and four sacks last season. That followed a breakout campaign in 2020, when he led the team with nine sacks and was second with 14 tackles for loss.
Associated Press file photo
Devin Drew, DT
Before school: Texas Tech
Remaining Eligibility: One year
Of note: A native of Raytown, Missouri, the 6-foot-2, 280-pound Drew made 34 tackles in 13 games last fall and had 55 total stops in two seasons at Texas Tech.
Associated Press file photo