Nebraska Cornhusks Head Coach Matt Rhule Just Announced Amid Offseason Shake-Up TE Heinrich Haarberg Has Finally Been Made the..
In a surprising yet calculated move as part of a broader offseason restructuring, Nebraska Cornhuskers Head Coach Matt Rhule has officially announced that former quarterback Heinrich Haarberg will be transitioning full-time to the tight end position. The decision, revealed during Monday’s press availability at Memorial Stadium, marks a pivotal moment in both Haarberg’s career and the program’s evolving identity under Rhule’s leadership.
Haarberg, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound dual-threat athlete from Kearney, Nebraska, was once seen as the potential future of the Cornhuskers’ quarterback room. After a rollercoaster 2023 season where he showcased flashes of brilliance alongside moments of inexperience, the redshirt junior found himself in a positional limbo during the 2024 campaign. While he briefly filled in under center due to injuries and inconsistency among other quarterbacks, Rhule hinted last season that Haarberg’s physicality, work ethic, and versatility might be better utilized elsewhere on the field.
Today’s announcement makes that vision official.
“After extensive evaluation this spring and honest conversations with Heinrich, we believe tight end is where he can make the biggest impact for this team,” Rhule said. “He’s embraced the transition with a team-first mindset. He’s bigger, stronger, and his understanding of the offense gives us a unique edge at the position.”
The move comes amid a series of internal adjustments to Nebraska’s offensive personnel, with Rhule and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield emphasizing a more dynamic, physical brand of football. With the departures of key offensive players and the arrival of new talent via the transfer portal and incoming freshman class, Rhule is leaning into adaptability and player development as cornerstones of the program.
Haarberg’s transition to tight end hasn’t been without precedent. During the latter part of the 2024 season and into spring practices, he took snaps as an H-back and flex tight end, often lining up in motion or in stacked formations. Reports from within the program suggest he’s already become a dependable target in red-zone scenarios and has shown promise as a blocker — two areas where the Huskers struggled for consistency last year.
“It’s a new challenge, but one I’m excited for,” Haarberg said following practice. “I love this program, and wherever the coaches need me, that’s where I’ll go. Tight end gives me a chance to be physical, make plays, and help this team win. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
Rhule praised Haarberg’s maturity and leadership, noting that his willingness to switch roles speaks volumes about the culture they’re building in Lincoln.
“It’s not easy to give up the quarterback spot, especially when you’ve grown up in that role,” Rhule said. “But Heinrich’s a Cornhusker through and through. He wants to win, and that’s the kind of guy you build a team around.”
With the 2025 season approaching, Nebraska fans are eager to see how Haarberg fits into a tight end group that has been retooled with a mix of veterans and young talent. His unique background as a quarterback could also open the door for trick plays, creative formations, or mismatches against slower linebackers.
As the Huskers push forward with spring ball and head into summer conditioning, one thing is clear: Heinrich Haarberg’s football journey is far from over — it’s simply taking a new path. And under Matt Rhule’s direction, that path might just lead to something special.
Will Haarberg’s shift to tight end be the key to unlocking a more potent Nebraska offense? Only time will tell, but in a program hungry for a return to national relevance, bold moves like this could be exactly what’s needed.
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