Matt Rhule’s coaching staff hit the ground immediately with eyes on bolstering its recruiting class. Outside the top 60 classes nationally at the start of Rhule’s tenure, Nebraska’s 2023 recruiting class has risen to the top 25. They’ve done so by being aggressive, flipping previous commitments and building on their current momentum.
Rhule is scheduled to host a press conference on Wednesday at 2 p.m. to put a bow on National Signing Day. But the Huskers might not be done adding to their 2023 class. Nebraska offered 2023 athlete D’Andre Barnes out of Colorado during his official visit last weekend. Barnes said he’ll announce his college decision on National Signing Day. Because the Rhule coaching staff doesn’t stop recruiting, here are some recruits still in play who have been linked to Nebraska.
Chimidy Onoh, offensive line: The composite 4-star offensive lineman from Dundalk, Maryland, is a multi-sport athlete with great size in the trenches. He’s got what this staff looks for. That’s partially why Nebraska offered him back in December as part of the staff’s bolstering efforts. This staff’s ties to the northeast gave Nebraska some insight with him. But he never arrived in Lincoln for a visit, opting instead for Ole Miss, Michigan State and, current frontrunner, Penn State.
Ejani Shakir, wide receiver: The speedy New Jersey receiver committed to Penn State but decommitted in November. There hasn’t been a lot of movement with him since. Nebraska offered the Winslow Township standout in early 2020. He’s a multi-sport composite 3-star athlete at a position where Rhule likes speed. He fits the scheme and comes from fertile recruiting soil, but his move to Lincoln would be a long shot.
Sergio Snider, running back: Nebraska’s previous staff offered the composite 3-star running back and even hosted him in the summer. He never committed to Nebraska although no other staff seemed to make inroads with him. Fast forward to now. Snider still isn’t committed anywhere but he played at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. That’s right, he could join former teammates Jeremiah Charles, Ismael Smith Flores and Gage Wager, as well as head coach Bob Wager, in Lincoln.
Recruit Watch
Two new Nebraska offers came to light earlier this week.
Edward Smith, a 2024 edge rusher from Pearland, Texas, received a Nebraska offer. The 6-foot-6 standout at Dawson High School received offers from Oklahoma State, Colorado and Kansas last season. He’s tallied 51 tackles, 16 TFLs and eight sacks in the last two seasons combined.
The Huskers also offered top-25 recruit Elijah Rushing. The composite 5-star edge rusher from Salpointe Catholic in Tucson, Arizona, announced his offer earlier on Tuesday. In the last two year’s he’s been responsible for 148 tackles, 22.5 TFLs and 19 sacks. He’s garnered attention from Oregon and Washington, as well as Ohio State, Michigan State and Clemson. Rushing’s 6-foot-6 frame allows him to bulk up more in a collegiate weight program while his current mobility and assortment of pass-rushing moves makes him a high-priority recruit for colleges.
ICYMI
>> Nebraska wrestling coach Mark Manning gained his 300th wrestling dual victory when the Huskers topped Wisconsin earlier this week. Check out our Hail Varsity photo gallery of the event here.
>> A short-staffed Nebraska men’s basketball team closes its short road trip this week with a game against Illinois.
>> In a special interview, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Managing Editor Greg Tepper joined Hail Varsity to talk about Matt Rhule’s recruiting ties and staffing choices from Texas.
