Last week was spring break and everything concerning football has come to a screeching halt. But players will be back Sunday evening and there will be five more practices before the Red-White Spring game on Saturday the 28th. Real football is back and thank goodness it is. I went to the Husker games or whatever that event was called last season, and it was the cherry on top of everything Husker football fans hate. It seemed to be a fitting end to a running joke. I was critical of it then, and I’m critical of it now. There is only one way to get better at football and that is to play football. Bone jarring, snot slinging, rattle your cage football. Not playing cowboy on a mechanical horse or throwing a football through a basketball hoop.
Speaking of basketball, Rhule was in Oklahoma City for the Husker’s opening round game in the big dance and if he didn’t take anything from what he witnessed from Husker Nation then he’s hopeless. The fans showed out for Fred Hoiberg’s boys and the team fed off the energy. It was impressive to say the least, both the performance of the team and the fans.
Rhule may have thought he knew what the potential of Husker Nation was, yes, he’s been to PBA, yes, he’s been at Memorial Stadium, and yes, he saw what volleyball could do. But if he didn’t come away with a whole new perspective after OKC, well, he’s not the guy we all think he is. He holds the power of a starving, powder keg of a fanbase in his hands. If he plays his cards right Nebraska can be the powerhouse of the Big Ten. Stand back Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Iowa, the days of Husker Nation taking over opponent’s stadiums is a realistic possibility if Rhule gets it together.
With real football back, it means it’ll be a big recruiting weekend for the Huskers. Players from across the country will be here to see what Husker football is about. Now, I don’t expect a huge showing, Rhule is going to have to win back fans to see the attendance of days of old. But there is no doubt the potential is limitless.
Nebraska currently has six commits for the 2027 class and that number will increase going forward. As of now Nebraska is ranked in the top ten for recruiting classes.
Players already committed to the 2027 class (6)
QB – Trae Taylor, 6’3”, 190-pounds, 4-Star. Official visit -6/19
S – Tory Pittman, 6’1”, 185-pound 4-Star
RB – Amir Brown, 5’11”, 200-pound 4-Star.
WR – Tay Ellis, 6’0” 175-pounds 3-Star. Official visit -6/19
DL – Jayden Travers, 6’4”, 260-pound 3-Star. Official visit -6/19
OT – Matt Erickson, 6’7”, 285-pound 3-Star. Official visit -6/19
Players who have scheduled official visits (15) and the school the Huskers are competing against according to On3.
S – Kennedy Green, 6’2”, 185-pound 4-Star. Official visit -6/19, 56% South Carolina
WR – Khalil Taylor, 5’11”, 180-pound 4-Star, Official visit -6/12, 46% Penn State
LB – Brandon Lockley Jr, 6’1”, 220-pound 4-Star. Official visit -6/12, 84% Penn State
CB – Kamuri Whitfield, 5’10” 185-pound 3 Star. Official visit -6/12, 95% Florida
S – Elijajuan Houston, 6’1” 170-pound 3-Star. Official visit -6/12, 30% NU
ATH – Kaden Howard, 5’10”, 160-pounds 3-Star, Official visit -6/12, 99% NU
CB – Juju Johnson, 5’10”, 160-pound 4-Star, Official visit -6/05, 96% OU
IOL – Jordan Agbanoma, 6’4” 290-pound 4-Star, Official visit -6/05, 36% NU
CB – Jailen Hill, 6’3”, 160-pound 4-Star, Official visit -6/05, 49% Notre Dame
CB – Bryce Willimas, 6’2”, 175-pound 4-Star. Official visit -6/05, 97% NU
DL – Zai’Vion Meads, 6’3”, 265-pound 3-Star. Official visit -6/05, 92% Purdue
Players scheduled to visit for Spring Game weekend and the school the Huskers are competing against according to On3.
OT – Mark Matthews, 6’5”, 300-pound 5-Star, 93% Miami
TE – Ahmad Hudson, 6’6”, 230-pound 5-Star, 97% LSU
OT – Oluwasemilore Olubobola, 6’6”, 270-pound 4-Star. 92% Texas A&M
IOL – Nate Carson, 6’4”, 290-pound 4-Star, 50% South Carolina
DL – Nehemiah Ombati, 6’22”, 275-pound 4-Star, 40% Wisconsin
DL – Zahmar Tookes, 6’4”, 235-pound 3-Star, 55% Penn State
IOL – Barrett Kitrell, 6’4”, 270-pound 3-Star, 99% NU
CB – Juju Johnson, 5’10”, 160-pound 4-Star, OV 6/5, 96% OU
LB – Blake Belton, 6’3”, 205-pound 3-Star, 92% Penn State
DL – Brock Frisby, 6’3”, 265-pound, N/R, 40% Virginia Tech
IOL – Kyler Kuhn, 6’3”, 280-pound 4-Star, 24% Iowa
Key players who have already visited. Nebraska needs to get them back on campus again or schedule an official visit.
OT – Kennedy Brown, 6’3”, 285-pound 5-Star. 24% NU
DL – Errol Demontagnac, 6’3”, 270-pound 3-Star, 27% USF
DL – David Folorunsho, 6’4”, 280-pound 4-Star. 93% Notre Dame
IOL – Albert Simien, 6’3”, 275-pound 5-Star, 66% Texas A&M
WR – Quentin Burell, 6’2”, 195-pound 4-Star, 81% ND
OT – Timi Aliu, 6’4”, 295-pound 4-Star. 27% Florida
DL – Waylon Wooten, 6’1”, 315-pound 3-Star. 39% Florida
Edge – Prince Goldsby, 6’4”, 210-pound 4-Star. 32% NU
Players who have visited and have NU high on their list.
S – Corey Hadley, 6-1, 180-pound 4-Star. 94% NU
LB – Kobe Rhymes, 6’1”, 225-pound 3-Star. 45% NU
S – Dextavion Reese, 6’4”, 185-pound, N/R, 67% NU
Landing top recruits centers around getting them on campus multiple times so they can witness practice, spend time with coaches and familiarize themselves with what Nebraska has to offer. Getting an official visit is also key. If you have followed recruiting since Matt Rhule became the head coach, you’ll notice there are more 4-Star and 5-Star players involved than in the past. There are some big names on the list above and you’ll see the Huskers are competing against some of the top schools for talent. It’s imperative that Rhule starts seeing success on the field so he can take recruiting to the next step. Until then, this staff will continue to take big swings at the top dogs.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
~Lyle Harmon
Photo courtesy of the Falls City Journal
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