Transfer QB Kyle McCord set for Nebraska visit – reportedly receiver Julian Fleming, too

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule gave a lengthy address after his first season as Husker football coach on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Akey Nebraska quarterback target in the transfer portal is coming to campus for a visit.

And his longtime teammate may be on the way, too. Former Ohio State starting QB Kyle McCord will be in Lincoln early this week, his father, Derek, confirmed to the Omaha World-Herald on Sunday. Meanwhile, multiple reports from recruiting sites indicated that former Buckeye receiver Julian Fleming would be on hand during a similar timeframe.

Both players — former five-star prep prospects according to various services — have one year of eligibility remaining and would address obvious needs at their respective positions. McCord in particular would represent a major addition to and shakeup of a Nebraska quarterback room that was directly charged this season with 25 of the team’s FBS-worst 31 giveaways (16 interceptions, nine fumbles lost). The 6-foot-3, 215-pound QB in his debut campaign as a college starter led OSU to an 11-1 regular season while completing 65.

8% of his passes for 3,170 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Philadelphia native would likely have been in the mix to again lead OSU next fall, though coach Ryan Day had been noncommittal about his starter moving forward. McCord was hampered by an ankle injury late in the season and became a lightning rod of criticism from fans — he threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns at Michigan but also tossed two picks.

McCord’s high point came in September when he led a dramatic comeback at Notre Dame, securing the game-winning touchdown after a series of key completions on third and fourth down. The QB was a third-team All-Big Ten honoree this month. McCord was one of five portal QBs linked to NU in the past week.

The others were Will Howard (Kansas State), Sam Leavitt (Michigan State), Blake Shapen (Baylor) and Cam Ward (Washington State). Shapen has since committed to Mississippi State. Of the group, McCord is the least prone to run — his net rushing total this season was minus-65 yards — and among the most accurate as a pocket passer.

Fleming, meanwhile, has been one in a constellation of stars for Ohio State quarterbacks to throw to in recent seasons. His best showing came in 2022 when he finished with six of his seven career touchdowns and 533 receiving yards on 34 grabs. This fall he caught 26 balls for 270 yards in 12 games while sharing a role with star freshman Carnell Tate.

Fleming broke virtually every receiving record in Pennsylvania prep history and was considered a top-five overall national recruit by most services in the 2020 cycle. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder left Ohio State after four seasons spanning 37 games with 80 catches, 990 yards and seven scores. Nebraska — with no receiver on the roster who has been both healthy and productive for more than one college season — would like to add a veteran playmaker.

The team has done so successfully in consecutive years with one-and-dones Samori Toure, Trey Palmer and Billy Kemp. .