The highest-rated player in Nebraska for the 2021 recruiting cycle will not being signing during the early signing period. Omaha Westside 4-star cornerback Avante Dickerson announced on early on Wednesday that he needs more time to think.
I would like to announce that I will not be signing along with my teammates. I am simply not ready to make a final decision that will impact my future as a student athlete. I will be at the signing at Westside high school to support my teammates but not available for questions.
— AD #28 (@_dickerson1) December 16, 2020
It surprised many when Dickerson committed to Minnesota back in April. Minnesota came out of nowhere to nab his commitment despite having never hosted him for any type of visit. Then, when the long NCAA-mandated dead period went into effect, he was unable to make the trip to Minneapolis.
Dickerson did not say he was leaving the Minnesota class in his tweet on Wednesday but as we’ve seen each year since the early signing period began, not signing with your team then is almost viewed as a decommitment. The Omaha Westside star is not an early enrollee so he still has options on the table. He can go all the way to the traditional signing day in February before making his decision and signing with a team then.
The Huskers have remained in contact with Dickerson throughout the process. Even after his commitment to Minnesota, the team made it clear to him that he was still welcome in the Huskers’ 2021 recruiting class. Nebraska has several players in the class that Dickerson is friends with. Koby Bretz, AJ Rollins and Thomas Fidone are just a few.
If Dickerson sticks to his plan to sign in February, it will create a huge battle for his signature. Minnesota and the Huskers will be prominent in his recruitment. But the extra time will allow teams to see what needs they have after the first signing period. That may allow new teams to be introduced into his recruitment.
Dickerson is a highly-rated player so the battle for his signature is just beginning.