The Huskers dipped into Iowa for a tight end in the 2021 recruiting class. Could the team do the same for the 2022 cycle? Earlier this week, the Huskers offered 3-star tight end Gabe Burkle out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
After a great call with Coach Beckton I’m excited to announce that I’ve received an offer to play football at The University of Nebraska!! Go Huskers! @CoachBeckton pic.twitter.com/SDd2DVgVv2
— Gabe Burkle (@GabeBurkle) April 21, 2021
Burkle (6-7, 230) was excited to get the offer and gave his thoughts to Hail Varsity.
“I was very thankful,” Burkle said. “It’s exciting to receive an offer from them because I know they have an amazing culture and staff. Then adding how awesome their fan base is just adds to their program. I’m looking forward to continuing to build relationships with the coaches and learning as much as I can about the program and school.”
Burkle offers the type of frame that coaches are drooling over to play in more open offenses. His length immediately catches eyes on film and in the passing game. The Prairie High School product offers plenty of physicality at the line of scrimmage as a wiling blocker. He tries to hunt for mismatches on offense with cornerbacks and linebackers that will be up to a foot shorter. He mentioned his ability to make contested catches and feels that can carry to the next level.
New max bench of 315!! The offseason grind is real!! @PrairieFootball pic.twitter.com/x5gj4wAaQE
— Gabe Burkle (@GabeBurkle) March 10, 2021
The tight end was able to showcase his skills as a junior before his season was cut short due to a torn ACL. The injury meant Burkle couldn’t compete down the stretch of the season. It will also keep him out of the current basketball season. If everything continues to go well he’ll be back to full strength by the middle of the summer.
He was planning on coming to Lincoln for the spring game next weekend. It turns out his family had a prior commitment. Burkle would have liked to make that trip but instead plans to take an official visit to Nebraska in June. That visit isn’t scheduled yet but he’s been talking about it with the Nebraska coaching staff.
The Iowa native is now up to six scholarship offers. The missed time due to injury has kept him under the radar. Iowa State, Kansas State and Minnesota are a few other teams who have offered him at this point. As he collects more offers, he knows exactly what he is looking for in a future school.
“There’s three big ones for me that I am looking for,” Burkle said. “Education, play style the program plays with and comfortability.”