Walter Rouse decommits from Nebraska, chooses Oklahoma as new destination
Well, this is a bit of a shocker. Three days after announcing he would attend Nebraska in 2023, Walter Rouse changed his mind, announcing via Twitter on Saturday that he will instead attend Oklahoma.
Note that Rouse, who made 39 starts at Stanford, is doing only one interview, with Carl Reed of 247Sports on Monday.
It’ll be interesting if the name, image, and likeness conversation is part of Rouse’s change of heart. Did he get a better financial deal at Oklahoma? It’s a legitimate question in this new college football world.
Rouse’s change of heart is gut punch for Nebraska
At any rate, this is a gut punch for Nebraska.
At the very least, it was anticipated Rouse would challenge for a starting job as a tackle at Nebraska. Some people wrote him in as an immediate starter, although he was going to miss spring camp with a shoulder injury.
The 6-foot-6, 318-pound Rouse, who has one season of eligibility remaining, played 2,552 snaps at left tackle for the Cardinal. Those 39 starts occurred over the past four seasons.
As it stands now, Nebraska’s tackle group is led by Teddy Prochazka. But the 6-foot-9, 320-pound sophomore has suffered season-ending knee and shoulder injuries, respectively, the last two seasons. Fellow sophomore Turner Corcoran made nine starts at left tackle this season, while another sophomore, Bryce Benhart, made 11 starts at right tackle.
Rouse becomes the second high-profile offensive lineman out of the portal to turn down Nebraska this week. Tuesday, Baylor offensive line transfer Micah Mazzccua committed to Florida over NU and Auburn. Mazzccua was projected as a left-guard starter for the Huskers. Rhode Island’s Ajani Cornelius, a tackle, picked Oregon over Nebraska (and others) several weeks ago.
However, Nebraska last month landed Ben Scott, a transfer from Arizona State who was apparently brought in to take over as the Huskers’ starting center in the wake of 2022 starter Trent Hixson completing his eligibility.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Scott started all 13 games for ASU at right tackle in 2021 and 11 games at center in 2022.
Scott’s commitment seems solid.
The Rouse news took people by surprise. After all, he had told Bryan Munson of HuskerOnline.com that Nebraska felt right.
“Last year, we were 4-8,” Rouse said of the Huskers. “We have some doubters. We have some haters. I am excited about what coach (Matt) Rhule has and his plan for the future. I can’t wait to prove them all wrong. Coach (Donovan) Raiola believed in me, and he’s going to help me get to where I want to be.”
He’ll now try to get there somewhere else.
