Nebraska lands Iowa State linebacker Will Hawthorne in transfer portal

Nebraska football picked up another Iowa State transfer and another linebacker in the portal on Tuesday. Freshman linebacker Will Hawthorne joins the Huskers.

Hawthorne redshirted in his first season with the Cyclones after coming to Iowa State with a strong resume. The Ames, Iowa, native was a two-way player at Gilbert High School, playing both running back and linebacker. In his senior year, Hawthorne rushed for 2,263 yards and 28 touchdowns and racked up 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, and three forced fumbles, helping him earn the 2024 MaxPreps Iowa High School Football Player of the Year.

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Hawthorne initially committed to his hometown school over Nebraska and linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek. During his redshirt season, he gained 10 pounds, from 215 to 225, which improved his speed. Hawthorne ran track and field in high school, running the 100-yard dash in 10.42 seconds.

He is now the second linebacker and the second player from Iowa State to commit to Nebraska. Hawthorne joins junior Iowa State offensive lineman Brendan Black and sophomore San Diego State linebacker Owen Chambliss.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska lands Iowa State linebacker Will Hawthorne in transfer portal