Nebraska picked up the fourth commitment of its 2023 class when Omaha (Neb.) Creighton Prep offensive lineman Sam Sledge announced on social media that he’s pledged to the Huskers.
COMMITTED🌽🏈#GBR pic.twitter.com/xRk7Bcp9aV
— Sam Sledge (@SamSledge1) February 21, 2022
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Sledge was offered by first-year offensive line coach Donovan Raiola. The offer came following a Husker Junior Day event in January. Sledge is a legacy recruit for Nebraska. His father, Bob Sledge, was an All-Big Eight o-lineman at Nebraska in the late 1980s.
Sledge is a three-star prospect according to 247Sports. He has offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Miami (Ohio). The lineman became the third in-state commit for the Huskers. He joins a 2023 class that is quickly filling with in-state players. That includes Lincoln Southeast offensive lineman Gunnar Gottula and Pierce tight end Benjamin Brahmer. They are joined by Miami corner Dwight Bootle, the brother of former Husker and current Kansas City Chief, Dicaprio Bootle.
Nebraska averaged 180 rushing yards per game in 2021. That was the lowest average since head coach Scott Frost took over the program in 2018. The Huskers averaged 201 rushing yards in 2020, 203 in 2019 and 209 in 2018.
The Creighton Prep star plays tackle for his high school team. Nebraska could view him as a center prospect down the line. The Huskers also view 2022 signee Justin Evans-Jenkins as a center prospect. Identifying players to play that position seems to be a priority now with Raiola leading the charge on the offensive line.
The commitment of Sledge is another sign that Nebraska has momentum on the recruiting trail. This offseason has been a shot in the arm for the Huskers’ recruiting efforts. That’s great news locally as the talent continues to be good in the state for the 2023 class and beyond.
