Former Nebraska Receiver and KC Native Picks Nebraska Again Over Kansas State as Transfer…

Former Nebraska Receiver and KC Native Picks Nebraska Again Over Kansas State as Transfer

 

July 15, 2025 – Lincoln, NE — In a decision that surprised some and delighted others, former Nebraska wide receiver and Kansas City native, Malik Williams, has once again pledged his commitment to the Cornhuskers, choosing to return to Lincoln as a transfer over rival suitor Kansas State.

Williams, who entered the NCAA transfer portal in early June after spending two seasons at Nebraska, had reportedly narrowed his options to a return to the Huskers or a fresh start in Manhattan with the Kansas State Wildcats. After weeks of speculation, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver made his decision public via social media Monday evening, posting a simple message: “Home again. Let’s finish what we started. #GBR”

A standout at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Williams was one of the top wide receiver prospects in the region coming out of high school in 2022. He initially committed to Nebraska under then-head coach Scott Frost and stayed with the program through its coaching transition to Matt Rhule. In his freshman season, he saw limited playing time but emerged as a reliable target in 2024, hauling in 28 catches for 412 yards and three touchdowns.

His entry into the transfer portal came as a surprise to many, given his upward trajectory and growing role in the Huskers’ offense. Rumors circulated about dissatisfaction with playing time, scheme changes, and a desire to be closer to home, fueling speculation that Kansas State — just a two-hour drive from Kansas City — had become the front-runner.

However, sources close to the situation say that after a series of discussions with the Nebraska coaching staff, including Rhule and wide receivers coach Garrett McGuire, Williams felt reassured about his role and the future of the Huskers’ offense. The Cornhuskers’ push to upgrade their passing game and emphasize speed and spacing in their 2025 offensive scheme reportedly played a major factor in his decision to return.

“I had a lot to think about,” Williams told Husker247. “K-State showed a lot of love, and I respect that program. But at the end of the day, Nebraska is where I started this journey. I believe in what Coach Rhule is building, and I want to be part of that.”

His recommitment is a significant win for Nebraska, which is looking to rebound from a 6–6 finish last season and bolster a receiving corps that struggled with consistency. Williams is expected to compete for a starting role immediately and could be a key piece in the Huskers’ push to contend in the new-look Big Ten.

For Kansas State, it’s a tough miss in the portal. The Wildcats were hoping to add a veteran receiver to an otherwise young group after losing several key contributors to graduation and the NFL.

Williams will rejoin the team in Lincoln for fall camp, which opens later this month. Nebraska fans are hopeful that his return marks a new chapter — not just for the player, but for a program eager to turn potential into production.