In two months, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have added six commitments to their recruiting class. Who are the most recent additions to the program and where do they fit in head coach Matt Rhule’s plans for 2025? Let’s break it down.
Another Top Ranked QB
In the Huskers’ past two recruiting classes, the program has stockpiled its roster with quality options at quarterback. Five-star Dylan Raiola was a key part of the program’s recruiting efforts last year. Now, four-star commit TJ Lateef will take the same role in Nebraska’s 2025 class. As the 16th-best quarterback in the nation, he will inevitably attract top high school talent to Lincoln. But when he gets to Memorial Stadium, making an immediate impact on the field will be a tougher task. And there are a few reasons why. Offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas will elect to use Daniel Kaelin and Heinrich Haarberg much more than Lateef. He comes in as an unproven commodity who will seek to gain the approval of the coaching staff. In this regard, he certainly has the talent to make it happen. At Orange Lutheran High School, he threw 13 touchdown passes and had a 62% completion rate. But it’s rare that this type of production carries over immediately for Nebraska’s headline 2025 commit. But, a lot can happen during this time. In fact, it wouldn’t be much of a shock if a quarterback battle ensued between the two.
Bruisers In The Backfield
When it comes to selecting Nebraska’s starting running back, coach EJ Barthel has options. Last season, freshman Emmett Johnson struggled in his first few games as a Husker. The Minnesota native was put in a tough spot after Gabe Ervin’s shoulder injury. However, he ended the season strong with 411 yards and two touchdowns. But don’t expect the sophomore to pick up where he left off. Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell has arrived, and he might take the starting job with him. The former four-star recruit impressed in Nebraska’s spring game with his one-yard score in the second quarter. And at the end of the third period, he broke away from Blackshirt defenders to notch an untouched 49-yard score. It’s a performance that shows that he can perform on the big stage in Lincoln. On the other hand, it also dashes other players’ contributions. A prime example of this would be 2025 walk-on commit Conor Booth. He had a slim chance to get on the field and an even smaller shot to win the starting position. But now, he’s lost in the shuffle of a crowded running back room. Could there be a spot for him at fullback, or has Issac Dickey made the position his own?
The Need For Speed
In 2023, big-bodied wide receivers were at the top of wide receiver coach Garrett McGuire’s mind. This was established in the transfer portal when the Huskers gained Jahmal Banks from Wake Forest and Isaiah Neyor from Texas. But in 2024, he flipped the script by prioritizing speed and ability after the catch. Three-star Nebraska commit Bryson Hayes has this trait in spades. In 2023, the Kansas native pulled in 60 catches for 962 yards and 10 touchdowns. And the 180-pounder has a 40-yard dash time of 4.34 seconds. He probably won’t contribute during his freshman season, but gaining weight on his frame will help him in his quest to play in Memorial Stadium. Nebraska also has 2025 commit Jackson Carpenter in the fold. While the Lincoln native isn’t as fast as Hayes, he still knows how to spread the field. In 2023, he had 28 catches for 514 yards and seven touchdowns. And he consistently had 18 yards per catch. Does this mean he belongs on the Big Red’s scout team? It’s a good question for McGuire to answer.
Tight End Production
The position group under Marcus Satterfield is fully stocked. Junior Thomas Fidone returns after a productive third season with the program, and longtime veteran Nate Boerkircher returns to provide veteran leadership. And to make matters even more complicated, four-star recruit Carter Nelson enrolls in May. This presents a unique challenge to three-star Utah tight end Bear Tenney. But he could get early playing time based on his friendship with Raiola. According to the Omaha World Herald’s Sam McKewon, the two played for rival high schools in Arizona, and they talk frequently.
Read more about Carter Nelson and Dylan Raiola’s time in the Polynesian Bowl in Which Freshman Could Impact Nebraska Football in 2024?
