Nebraska gains commitment from Edge Keona Wilhite on National Signing Day
Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic three-star Edge Keona Wilhite was one of the many Washington signees to depart following Alabama’s hiring of Kalen DeBoer. Wilhite decommitted and was granted a release from his National Letter of Intent. He took official visits to Michigan State and Nebraska. The Huskers edged out UCLA and Michigan State on signing day for Wilhite.
“Nebraska has a great history,” Wilhite said. “They were the Georgia and the Alabama back in the day. I feel like with the staff that they have now, with Rhule, that they can use and develop my skills there at Nebraska.”
Nebraska can see Wilhite moving around in their defensive front. Nebraska’s defensive coordinator, Tony White, wants their opponents to account for pass rushers like Wilhite on every snap.
“They see me as an edge, but playing both sides. What was different from other teams is that the others only saw me on the left. Nebraska liked me at both and to keep offenses on their toes.
“I am more comfortable in a three-point, hand-in-the-dirt, and I am working at getting better with the two-point stance. I think that they like the idea of putting me out as a seven or a nine.”
Keona Wilhite running track before heading to Nebraska
Wilhite is staying busy this spring running track for Salpointe Catholic. He is doing four events, two sprints, and two field events, and hopes to run anchor for the relay team.
“I am doing track,” Wilhite said. “We are just starting up, but I am going to throw shot put and javelin. I am also going to run the 100-meter and 4×100-meter relay, and I want to run anchor in the relay. It’s been a while since I ran track. I haven’t ran track since 8th grade. I think that I can run an 11-second or high 10-second times.”
Wilhite says he will continue working with his high school football coaches before leaving for Nebraska. He wants to work more on his pass-rush moves and his stance.
Wilhite is the No. 635 overall prospect and No. 55 Edge in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 12 player in Arizona.
