Being the first in-state commitment in Nebraska’s recruiting cycle is a big deal. Not only for a Power 5-bound high school standout but for the community that helped raise them, their coaches and their teammates.
For Elkhorn South, this isn’t a new feeling. There’s a healthy pipeline of Storm standouts that make their way down Interstate 80 to Lincoln. Three-star defensive lineman Ashton Murphy is the latest example of this. He committed to Nebraska last week while visiting during a practice. He spoke with Mike Sautter of Hurrdat Sports about that decision.
“They’re all very personable to me and they were all very outgoing with the recruiting process,” Murphy explained. “They made it all pretty easy and I really like the people there.”
Nebraska’s coaching staff sees Murphy as a defensive end at the next level. He was also recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Wyoming, Air Force, Army, Navy, Northern Illinois and North Dakota State with all forecasting him in different spots on the offensive and defensive lines. Sautter asked Murphy why he chose Nebraska out of the double-digit offers he received by that time.
“It’s definitely the coaching staff,” Murphy answered. “And coach Rhule being all involved. Some places, the head coach wasn’t involved. But coach Rhule, he was really involved with everything. Talked to me, talked to other players too. It was really important that he talked to me and made a connection.”
Murphy chuckled when read the list of former Elkhorn South standouts to play in Lincoln upon graduation. Elliott Brown and Teddy Prochazka are both returning Huskers while Maverick Noonan joined the team as an early enrollee this spring. Noah Bustard and Cole Ballard both committed to Nebraska as preferred walk-ons in the 2023 class.
“Nebraska’s the place to go,” Murphy said. He also credited his coaching staff at Elkhorn South, led by head coach Guy Rosenberg, for preparing his players for the Big Ten.
Sautter’s short sit-down interview with Murphy is available on the Hail Varsity YouTube page.
Recruit Watch
Brandon Baker, the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle, confirmed he’ll be in Lincoln for Saturday’s Spring Game. Makai Saina, a 4-star 2024 defensive lineman out of Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, also confirmed a visit on Saturday. Nebraska tight end coach Bob Wager, as well as three members of Nebraska’s 2023 recruiting class, come from Martin High.
GBR I’ll be back this weekend for the spring game! TMU.. pic.twitter.com/DfZV6a9VW8
— Brandon Baker (@BrandonBaker73) April 17, 2023
Nebraska’s Spring Game visitor list is likely to grow throughout the week. Ainsworth 4-star tight end Carter Nelson confirmed his visit earlier this week, as did 4-star California linebackers Dylan Williams and Kamar Mothudi.
Four-star receiver Gatlin Bair included Nebraska in his lis list of top five schools. Bair, the No. 1 recruit in Idaho, also lists Michigan, TCU, Oregon and Boise State among his finalists.
Markie Grant, a 2024 corner from Houston, received an offer from Nebraska earlier this week. He had 56 tackles, 18 PBUs, four forced fumbles and three interceptions as a junior.
ICYMI
>> Nebraska softball cruised to victory on Sunday to sweep Indiana, just days after a lengthy Hoosiers winning streak ended. Here are some takeaways from the big weekend in Bloomington.
>> As the Nebraska volleyball team braces for its own spring scrimmage, Florida transfer Merritt Beason is meshing into the team. She said her adjustment to Nebraska has gone perfectly.
>> The first commitment of the Nebraska men’s basketball 2024 recruiting class arrived late last week with 4-star Wisconsin guard Nick Janowksi. Keep up to date with transfer portal movements by checking out Hail Varsity’s portal tracker.
