Nebraska baseball added a major piece to its 2026 pitching staff on Sunday evening, as Mississippi State right-handed pitcher Kelvin Mannel announced his transfer to the Huskers.
The former SEC arm made his commitment public on social media, writing:
“Thank you, Mississippi State, for the opportunity. Excited to come home and get to work in Lincoln. Go Big Red!”
Mannel, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, appeared in 18 games for the Bulldogs this past season, finishing with a 4.12 ERA across 29.2 innings while striking out 36 batters. Known for a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s and a sharp breaking ball, Mannel was used primarily in relief but has the potential to compete for a starting role at Nebraska.
The former Millard West standout was ranked among the top high school pitchers in the state in the 2023 class and originally committed to Mississippi State over offers from Nebraska, Arkansas, and Texas A&M.
Now, after two seasons in the SEC, Mannel returns to his home state to join a Nebraska team looking to take the next step under head coach Will Bolt. The Huskers narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament in 2025 after posting a 34-23 record and are expected to be among the Big Ten contenders next spring.
Pitching depth was a clear priority for Nebraska in the transfer portal this offseason, and Mannel is now the first official pitching addition. With multiple key arms graduating or entering the MLB Draft, his experience and versatility are expected to play a big role in 2026.
Stay tuned to Husker247 for more updates on roster movement as Nebraska continues to reshape its roster for next season.