Why the next two weeks are critical to Nebraska's recruiting efforts
Nebraska’s home games against Northwestern and USC, and the recruiting weekends expected for both games, will be critical to Nebraska’s finish in the 2026 cycle and their efforts with top 2027 talent.
Inside Nebraska’s Tim Verghese breaks down the latest recruiting intel coming out of a busy week as former Penn State commits line up Nebraska visits, the Huskers move to address remaining 2026 needs and maintain recruiting momentum. Verghese first discusses what’s ahead for the Huskers over the next two weeks, the impact of Trae Taylor shutting down his recruitment and why quieting the noise surrounding Matt Rhule and Penn State was so important.
Nebraska has extended a few offers to current/former Penn State commits, Verghese breaks down which former/current commits are expected to visit Nebraska and what other targets could get added to Nebraska’s board.
Related: Nebraska making inroads in the Carolinas
The addition of recruiting coordinator Matt Pearce this offseason from Coastal Carolina and an opportunity to build a pipeline has Nebraska making moves on top talent in North and South Carolina.
With Clemson seemingly coming back down to Earth, the Bill Belichick era at North Carolina in disarray, Dave Doeren on the hot seat at NC State and speculation surrounding Shane Beamer and Virginia Tech, there’s an opportunity for Nebraska to make inroads on the East Coast.
Few Big Ten programs have recruited the Carolinas consistently, Nebraska is working to change that. The Huskers have unique ties to the region between Rhule’s time with the Panthers, Pearce’s time at Coastal Carolina and tight end coach Marcus Satterfield’s time at South Carolina. Paired with some leg work by defensive line coach Terry Bradden and running backs coach EJ Barthel on the road this offseason, the Huskers have established a very real presence in the Carolinas.
In the 2026 cycle, the Huskers already hold the commitment of Charlotte (N.C) Christian School three-star running back Jamal Rule. The Huskers have a chance to add potentially two, maybe even three, North Carolina natives to the 2026 class.
Charlotte (N.C) Myers Park three-star EDGE Damaad Lewis is scheduled to officially visit Nebraska Oct. 25. The Huskers are battling Florida State and NC State for his commitment. Nebraska has kept tabs on Raleight (N.C) Rolesville four-star EDGE Zavion Griffin-Haynes, currently committed to in-state North Carolina. Given the Tar Heels’ on-field struggles and Nebraska’s needs up front, it makes sense for the Huskers to stay on the four-star’s radar. Griffin-Haynes and his brother, Jayden, have been as vocally in support of Belichick as any Tar Heels commits, but a coaching change would change their tune. The Huskers have an offer out to Zavion, and if the opportunity emerges to get the brothers on campus for a visit, an offer could go out to Jayden as well.
In the 2027 cycle….