This Nebraska coaching staff is taking this dead period to establish a plan for the 2024 recruiting class. Nebraska’s one of the few programs without a commitment in its 2024 class, a descriptor that isn’t likely to last long. This coaching staff will bring in recruits for visits in March and throughout the spring season. The April 22 Spring Game will likely host recruits from various classes.
As this coaching staff looks to the future, we’ll do the same. The staff is prioritizing in-state and Texas recruits. Today, we’ll focus on the greater country and priority prospects outside those two states.
Dylan Raiola, quarterback: You already know. He’s the legacy Husker and 5-star quarterback that decommitted from Ohio State last year. Nebraska’s closed the gap, sending nine coaches to Arizona to visit him last month. If this staff can sign Raiola, recruiting dominoes will likely fall.
Grant Brix and Andrew Sprague, offensive line: Head coach Matt Rhule saw Brix at a wrestling meet in Iowa during that last recruiting period. Brix is a 6-foot-6 composite 4-star prospect from Logan, Iowa. Getting him or composite 4-star Andrew Sprague of Rockhurst High in Kansas City would bolster offensive line depth. Sprague visited Lincoln last month so Nebraska could be finalists for both.
Kenneth Woseley, cornerback: The 4-star corner from Imhotep in Philadelphia, home of singing Rahmir Stewart and Nebraska staffer Omar Hales, is a promising prospect out of Pennsylvania. Nebraska offered him late last month but it might take a little work to gain ground on Penn State.
Andrew Hines, linebacker: Nearly 40 schools have offered this 6-foot, composite 4-star defensive athlete. The Woodward Academy junior in Atlanta is fast and physical linebacker with plenty of attention from ACC and SEC schools. He’d fit in various spots within Tony White’s Nebraska defense.
Williams Nwaneri, defensive line: This composite 5-star recruit from Lee’s Summit North is one of the best football players in Kansas City. Rhule’s coaching staff has already listed him as a priority. He’s the third-ranked defensive lineman in the country who can muscle on the interior as successfully as moving swiftly on the edge.
Recruit Watch
Nebraska’s push for 2024 recruits includes high-profile prospects, some of which will stop in Lincoln for visits next month. At the top of that list is Raiola, who recently transferred to Pinnacle High School also in greater Phoenix. Raiola’s family confirmed he’ll visit Nebraska on March 25. He’ll also likely visit Georgia, USC and Oregon as well. Idaho standout Gatlin Bair will also visit Nebraska and Michigan this spring. He’s a 4-star receiver with incredible speed and strength. Bair is a Class of 2024 prospect but plans to graduate after the Fall 2023 semester to start his 2-year mission as a Latter-day Saint. That puts him on campus for the spring 2026 semester, which this current Nebraska recruiting staff assured him is no issue.
While not confirming a visit, DeSoto, Texas, 4-star cornerback Mario Buford is expected to stop in Lincoln this spring. He told Dave Campbell’s Texas Football on Wednesday that Nebraska’s consistently recruited him the hardest of all the schools pursuing him. Also, his older brother Marques Buford Jr., started at safety for the Huskers last season. His fellow Texan, 4-star receiver Aeryn Hampton, listed Nebraska among his finalists. He was scheduled to visit Nebraska last month but he rescheduled. He could make that trip for a spring practice or spring game.
BREAKING: Four-Star WR Aeyrn Hampton (@AerynHampton) is down to 7️⃣ Schools!
The 5’11 185 WR from Daingerfield, TX is ranked as a Top 60 Player in the ‘24 Class
Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/av7A2ceCd5 pic.twitter.com/8qf7UzmLBr
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 8, 2023
The Huskers extended an offer to 4-star edge rusher Danny Okoye earlier this week. He’s a standout at Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 121 tackles in the last two seasons.
The 2023 recruiting class could add another member yet. Nebraska extended a preferred walk-on offer to Omaha Westside long snapper Will DePooter. He’s a lightly recruited senior who could find an opening when transfer arrival Marco Ortiz uses his final year of eligibility this season.
ICYMI
>> The depleted Nebraska men’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a streaking Michigan squad on Wednesday and dropped another conference contest.
>> Baseball season is here. The Huskers are taking a “whatever it takes” approach to a 2023 season in which head coach Will Bolt wants to host a regional.
>> Rhonda Revelle spoke to the media in anticipation of the 2023 Husker softball season. She said her veteran team is simply focusing on each day.
