This program under Rhule needs to begin as a developmental program that takes mainly 3 star guys and turns them into quality players. This would put Nebraska on a par with Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, etc... But in order for Rhule to avoid becoming "Pelini part two" and maxing out at 9 wins a season while always losing to the big boys, he needs to recruit on the same level as Penn State, Michigan, etc... And that means not only recruiting four star guys but keeping them here as well. Can he do that? Not coach since Osborne and a couple of years under Callahan has any Nebraska coach been able to do that. I think that Rhule thinks that he can which is why he keeps talking big about returning Nebraska to glory. And I am drinking that kool aid.
And do not tell me that Osborne did not recruit high-end players. Most of his recruiting classes in the 90's would have been rated as a top 15 or even a top 10 class by today's metrics. And when he did not have that kind of recruiting success (as in the 80's with classes that would rank today as top 25 only) he did not do as well on the field either. He lost to OU in 84-87, beat them in 88, but then lost in 89-90 again. He also got whipped soundly by Miami and Florida State until he finally started to turn the corner in 92 with better recruiting classes.
Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. Rhule will rise or fall with his success in that domain.