The current recruiting dead period allows Nebraska coaches to debrief from a massive recruiting spring to close June. Nebraska could add to its summer recruiting haul yet but none of those priority recruits are currently in-state standouts.
Nebraska gained June commitments from Ainsworth’s Carter Nelson, Omaha North’s Donovan Jones and the Bellevue West duo of Dae’vonn Hall and Isaiah McMorris. Hall and McMorris made their joint commitment on Instagram Live during official visits to Nebraska. T-Bird teammate Daniel Kaelin held the phone while each visitor cheered their new committed future fellow Huskers. Both Hall and McMorris spoke with Mike Sautter of Hurrdat Sports regarding their decisions.
“I just feel like Nebraska is going in the right direction, Matt Rhule knows what he wants,” McMorris told Sautter. “I just see the program changing and I want to be a part of that.”
McMorris, a 3-star receiver, chose Nebraska over Oklahoma, Kansas State and USC. The soon-to-be senior only visited Nebraska this summer and came to Lincoln by far more than anywhere else during his recruitment.
🚨Breaking 🚨
Isaiah McMorris commits to Nebraska. He talks his commitment to Nebraska, his recruitment journey and looking forward to being in Lincoln with two teammates. #nebpreps | #Huskers pic.twitter.com/WD1R4XkvtJ
— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) June 23, 2023
Hall, meanwhile, chose the Huskers despite a late offer from Tennessee. The 4-star receiver also held offers from Penn State, Iowa and Kansas State. He also visited Lincoln far more than any of those other programs and took his only official visit to Lincoln.
“It just feels like home,” Hall told Sautter. “I’ve lived here my whole life. It feels right. I mean, the coaches know exactly what they’re doing. They’re going to get us right. They’re going to have a good team this year and the recruiting class for ’24 is looking real smooth. So I don’t know how the Big Ten is going to compete with this but it’s looking good right now.”
🚨Breaking 🚨
Dae’vonn Hall commits to Nebraska. He talks his commitment to Nebraska, the recent offer from Tennessee and his long time relationship with @DanielKaelin5. #nebpreps | #Huskers pic.twitter.com/qzW3CEaNuG
— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) June 23, 2023
Hall, Kaelin and McMorris are all in line to join Nebraska after their senior seasons at Bellevue West. They open their season on August 18 with a home game against Creighton Prep.
Recruit Watch
German linebacker Justin Okoronkwo announced his decommitment from Maryland on Saturday night. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound 3-star standout was a longtime commitment to the Terps. He’s now focusing on three programs, Alabama, Michigan and Nebraska. Okoronkwo gained an offer from Nebraska during last month’s camp season.
I had an amazing time @HuskerFBNation today. Special thanks to @Omeezi_ @Rob_Dvoracek and the rest of the staff! @PPIRecruits @BCollierPPI pic.twitter.com/iBYRC2zPJm
— Justin Okoronkwo (@Okoronkw1Justin) June 14, 2023
There are some upcoming decisions to watch. The Huskers are notably gaining ground on offensive linemen Preston Taumua and Grant Brix. Taumua is a 4-star recruit out of Hawaii who is considering Nebraska alongside Oregon, Alabama, Arizona and Auburn. He’s holding a commitment party in Hawaii on Sunday, July 16. Brix hasn’t announced a date for his commitment but Nebraska stands with Kansas State, Alabama and Oklahoma as finalists for his pledge.
Malik Esquerra, a 3-star safety from Killeen Shoemaker in Texas, is scheduled to announce his commitment on Saturday. He’s considering Nebraska alongside Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, TCU and Oregon State. Esquerra was a find during satellite camps in Texas, partially because of Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire’s recommendation.
ICYMI
>> Coming off the heels of a promising end to his first season, Nebraska guard Jamarques Lawrence is building momentum into the upcoming season. He’s in line for a little more confidence and minutes in Fred Hoiberg’s squad.
>> Former Nebraska soccer standout Brittany Baxter (Timko) is headed into the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. Already a member of the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame, she recently discussed the honor and some memories.
>> With the season drawing nearer, turn the page back to Matt Rhule’s introduction. Revisit the Huskers’ possibilities in Rhule’s first year, pulled from the pages of Hail Varsity magazine.
