The door is nearly shut. The in-person recruiting dead period begins on Monday and National Signing Day is Wednesday. Although that day has lost some of its luster with the early signing period, this one still matters to Nebraska.
Matt Rhule extended multiple scholarship offers before he was even introduced as head coach. His incomplete coaching staff hit the recruiting trail as soon as the December in-person period began. Nearly two full months later, his staff added 19 signings—on top of the eight remaining commits from the previous staff—and 11 transfers through the portal. The 2023 recruiting class gained its latest addition on Saturday. Defensive lineman Sua Lefotu from California announced his commitment. Nebraska hosted speedy cornerback De’Andre Barnes out of Aurora, Colorado, over the weekend. Barnes announced on Sunday afternoon he received an offer from Nebraska. He’s the latest in a series of potential late additions to the recruiting class.
Rhule’s coaching staff started laying the ground work for the 2024 recruiting class with a series of tweets after Early National Signing Day. While the Huskers still haven’t gained a commitment for that class yet, they traversed the country to visit recruits and extend scholarship offers. A few reportedly visited Lincoln when able earlier this winter. Because the February dead period prevents visits, the Nebraska coaching staff could extend more offers and arrange several visits once the quiet period begins on March 1. That quiet period runs throughout the entire month of March, allowing plenty of time for the Husker coaching staff to coordinate before spring ball begins.
The transfer portal is closed but Nebraska could still offer players in the portal. That remains a possibility as this staff brings in potential Huskers who could find a spot on the roster come August. Nebraska’s scholarship count eclipses 100. Rhule’s staff will likely use the spring and summer to determine the essential personnel before cuts are necessary to make the 85-scholarship limit.
Recruit Watch
A handful of high school standouts received new scholarship offers recently. Kansas City 4-star receiver Isaiah Mozee received an offer from this current coaching staff. The Lee’s Summit North standout is the No. 11 receiver in that recruiting class.
While out in Phoenix for the all-out blitz on No. 1 overall recruit Dylan Raiola, coaches offered a running back. Mountain Pointe High School 2024 running back Christian Clark gained an offer. Nebraska was one of nearly 20 schools to offer him in the last two weeks. Coaches also offered 2025 tight end Bear Tenney from Chandler, Arizona. He’s currently unranked but the 6-foot-5 prospect will likely garner stars this season.
Nebraska’s west coast swing included composite 5-star rover Madden Faraimo. He’s a safety/linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class from San Juan Capistrano, California. He’s a top-20 overall recruit in the composite rankings for that class.
The east coast received love from Big Red as well. Townson, Maryland, 2026 athlete Chris Hewitt Jr. received an offer.
Of course, a recruiting weekend wouldn’t be complete without a Texas offer. Defensive lineman Landon Rink received an offer from Nebraska last week. He’s a 2025 recruit at Cy-Fair High School in Cypress who tallied 76 tackles, 18 for loss, as a sophomore. His father, Shane, played on the defensive line at Texas in the early 1990s.
ICYMI
>> The Nebraska men’s basketball team’s struggles continued earlier this weekend with a lop-sided loss to Maryland.
>> Likely National Player of the Year finalist Caitlin Clark and the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes held off a strong upset challenge from the Huskers on Saturday.
>> Baseball season started on Friday as the Huskers took to Den Hartog Field for an outdoor practice before the cold snap began.
