When Nebraska signed two of the most highly touted five-star recruits in the 2025 class, the excitement around Lincoln was electric. Fans envisioned them as instant-impact stars, the kind of game-changers who could help push Matt Rhule’s program back into Big Ten contention. Yet, just a few games into the season, those dreams have been replaced by frustration and confusion. The once-celebrated duo has struggled so badly that many around the program are asking the same question: what happened?
The first of the two, wide receiver Jalen McKnight, was billed as a generational talent. He arrived on campus with highlight reels full of one-handed catches, blazing speed, and a reputation for dominating defensive backs. But in reality, McKnight has looked lost on the field. Through four games, he has recorded just five receptions for 48 yards, often struggling with drops and failing to create separation against college-level competition. What’s more concerning to coaches is his visible lack of confidence. “It’s like he’s second-guessing every route,” one offensive assistant said. “This isn’t the kid we saw in camp.”
The other disappointment, defensive end Malik Washington, was projected to be an immediate force in Nebraska’s pass rush. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, his size and athleticism had analysts calling him a future first-round pick before he ever played a snap. But so far, Washington has been a non-factor. He’s recorded just two tackles and zero sacks in over 100 snaps, often getting neutralized by opposing offensive linemen. Some insiders say he’s struggling with the mental side of the game, failing to grasp defensive schemes and misreading assignments that leave him out of position.
Coach Matt Rhule, who built much of his offseason optimism around the arrival of these two five-stars, has tried to strike a balance between patience and accountability. “They’re talented, no doubt,” Rhule said in his weekly press conference. “But talent isn’t enough at this level. They’re learning that hard work, preparation, and adapting to the speed of the college game is what separates the players who succeed from the ones who don’t.” Rhule also hinted that both players might see reduced playing time if improvements don’t come soon, a drastic step for players once seen as cornerstone pieces of the program’s future.
Inside the locker room, teammates have noticed the struggles too. Some veterans have reportedly pulled McKnight and Washington aside to offer guidance and encouragement, hoping to spark a turnaround. “We’ve all been there,” senior linebacker Tyree Johnson said. “It’s an adjustment. But they have to want it. They have to decide if they’re going to put in the work to be great.” Still, whispers around the program suggest frustration is mounting — not just among coaches but also among fans who expected immediate results from Nebraska’s most hyped class in years.
Recruiting analysts have also weighed in, suggesting that the problem may not be purely talent-based. Many believe that the jump from high school dominance to Big Ten football has exposed technical flaws that were never addressed. “In high school, they could win on raw athleticism,” one national recruiting expert explained. “But in college, everyone’s athletic. If you don’t refine your technique and elevate your football IQ, you get humbled fast — and that’s exactly what’s happening.”
Despite the early struggles, the season is still young, and the story of McKnight and Washington is far from over. Both players have shown flashes of the talent that made them five-star prospects, and Nebraska’s coaching staff remains committed to their development. But time is running out for them to prove they belong at this level. If they can’t turn things around soon, their freshman seasons could go down not as breakout campaigns — but as cautionary tales of potential unfulfilled.
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