Williams Nwaneri has undeniable talent. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive lineman jumps out on film for his ability to beat a blocker at guard and center on the bull rush as well as out of a two-point stance on the edge. His vertical jump spans 32 inches and not many can out run him in pursuit. And he’s not done yet.
The Lee’s Summit North junior is a consensus 5-star recruit and, among all four major recruiting services, a top-10 overall recruit in the 2024 class. Nebraska’s previous coaching staff offered him in January last year. This current Nebraska coaching staff not only offered the Kansas City standout of Nigerian descent, they dropped by. Special teams coordinator Ed Foley visited Lee’s Summit North and head coach Jamar Mozee around the winter break. Nebraska’s always stood out to Mozee because of its prestige and proximity. The conversation with Foley further stirred Mozee’s excitement for the program.
Nwaneri made 43 tackles in a 12-game sophomore season. Mozee watched Nwaneri grow physically and grow his knowledge for the position going into his junior year. That’s when his stock rose to among one of the nation’s best. In 14 games this past season, Nwaneri made 56 total tackles, 10 TFLs, 20 quarterback hurries, 10 sacks, six pass deflections and a blocked punt.
“I don’t think there’s a better player in Kansas City than Will,” Mozee told Hail Varsity last month. “Maybe even the state. I just don’t see it.”
College football blue bloods might agree. Oklahoma, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Penn State and Alabama are among the schools welcoming Nwaneri for visits. He’s scheduled to visit Lincoln on March 24, alongside his teammate Isaiah Mozee—an athletic 2025 consensus 4-star receiver.
Nwaneri’s already unofficially visited Oregon and Tennessee since the new year. He’s locked in an early March visit to Oklahoma and a late April visit to Colorado. Nwaneri plans for a spring full of unofficial visits and official visits in the summer so he can make a commitment before his senior season begins, a source close to him told Hail Varsity.
“It’s almost like you could play him anywhere. We all know he’s a D-lineman but what does that look like in your defense?” Mozee previously said. “He could play a six-technique at 280 and I don’t think he loses a step. He’s 255 right now and he’s still skinny. He hasn’t filled out his legs or anything yet.”
Recruit Watch
Bellevue West junior Isaiah McMorris is planning for a busy few months. He’s chosen six schools to visit: Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Penn State and Minnesota in addition to Nebraska. That list could still grow.
McMorris is also scheduled to visit Lincoln on March 24, a recruiting weekend that’s gaining immense momentum for the Huskers. Missouri is his first visit, the week before he comes to Lincoln. His visit schedule ends with Minnesota on April 22. So far he’s only visited Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.
“It’s not stressful for me at all, I kind of enjoy it,” McMorris said in an Instagram live last night. “Growing up you see everyone get recruited and you want to get recruited too so really it’s just been fun. It’s really been a blast.”
Visit scheduled March-April
Mizzou – March 17-18
Nebraska – March 25
Oklahoma – March 31
K-State – April 11
Penn state – April 14-15
Minnesota – April 22* visits might be added these are just the ones I have set right now pic.twitter.com/JCU2UMBwc2
— Isaiah McMorris (@IsaiahMcMorris3) February 15, 2023
Three-star athlete Marcus Goree Jr., out of Cleveland, Tennessee, included Nebraska in his five finalists he revealed earlier today. Along with Nebraska are Michigan, Tennesee, Colorado and Michigan State.
Ainsworth 4-star tight end Carter Nelson announced on Thursday he received an offer from Alabama. The top in-state recruit in the 2024 class is the No. 7 tight end in the country. New Alabama Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees visited Ainsworth while recruiting Nelson to Notre Dame.
ICYMI
>> The Nebraska baseball season starts tomorrow in San Diego. Time to get excited and read Hail Varsity’s preview of the weekend.
>> Fred Hoiberg’s Huskers could have crumbled after losing two key players to injury. Instead, Nebraska is among the toughest teams to play in the Big Ten going into a favorable stretch of the season. Hail Varsity looked at the Huskers’ recent resurgence.
>> Minnesota stunned Nebraska on a clutch 3-pointer to overcome an 18-point fourth quarter from Jaz Shelley and dent the Huskers’ post-season aspirations.
