Tag: Nebraska Class of 2024

Defensive end from Germany commits to Nebraska

David Hoffken is a 6-foot-7, 257-pound prospect out of Keil, Germany.

A defensive end from Germany has officially announced his commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. David Hoffken is a 6-foot-7, 257-pound prospect out of Keil, Germany.

Hoffken was offered and accepted a scholarship from the Cornhusker coaching staff earlier this month, but he announced his acceptance on social media earlier this week. The Huskers found the Keil, Germany native at a football clinic in Houston earlier in the month.

While early reports had Germany possibly playing on the offensive line, Hoffken told 247Sports that after extensive conversations with coaching, he would remain on the defensive line.

The fact that I’m 22 and was 6-7, 257 pounds, it would be pretty hard to gain that much weight to get me game ready. And due to the athleticism and mobility it would make more sense to play defensive line, and I’m very comfortable with that decision.

The prospect has his full eligibility available and will enroll at Nebraska later this summer.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7z52uiOVFl/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=cfee5f71-3356-47d3-8a2a-fa4935a3d411

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Running back Mekhi Nelson officially commits to Nebraska

Mekhi Nelson made the announcement on social media on Monday morning. 

After visiting the Nebraska campus this past weekend, a class of 2024 running back has committed to the Cornhuskers. Mekhi Nelson made the announcement on social media on Monday morning.

Nelson is a 6-foot, 190-pound prospect from Wilkes Barre High in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He had been a target for Nebraska’s 2025 class, but Nelson reclassified his recruitment and will join the Huskers in 2024.

In 11 games last season, he carried the ball 221 times for 1,670 yards with a long run of 95 yards and 22 touchdowns. Nelson averaged 7.6 per carry and 151.8 yards per game.

The running back was in Lincoln over the weekend on an official visit and is expected to make an official announcement soon.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Class of 2024 running back expected to commit to Nebraska

The Nebraska Cornhuskers appear to have added a running back to its 2024 roster

The Nebraska Cornhuskers appear to have added a running back to its 2024 roster. HuskerOnline has reported that Mekhi Nelson is already in Lincoln and has joined the team.

Nelson is a 6-foot, 190-pound prospect from Wilkes Barre High in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He had been a target for Nebraska’s 2025 class, but Nelson reclassified his recruitment and will join the Huskers in 2024.

In 11 games last season, he carried the ball 221 times for 1,670 yards with a long run of 95 yards and 22 touchdowns. Nelson averaged 7.6 per carry and 151.8 yards per game.

The running back was in Lincoln over the weekend on an official visit and is expected to make an official announcement soon.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Nebraska football makes in-state sprint champ walk-on offer

Mitchell Hupp is a 6-foot-2 190 pound linebacker from Stanton High School out of Stanton, Nebraska.

A Nebraska high school sprinting champion has been offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Cornhusker football team. Mitchell Hupp is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound linebacker from Stanton High School out of Stanton, Nebraska.

Hupp has had an eventful season as Stanton High won the Nebraska Class D1 Football State Championship. He also was on the Nebraska Class C Track and Field titles in the 100 meter dash and the 200 meter dash.

His time in the 100m was 10.8 seconds, while his 200m was clocked at 21.79. Sean Callahan of Husker Online has reported that Hupp is deciding between walking on with the Cornhuskers or running track at Wayne State next season.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

German lineman commits to Nebraska

David Hoffken is an offensive tackle from Kiel, Germany. 

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have received a commitment from a class of 2024 prospect.  David Hoffken is an offensive tackle from Kiel, Germany.

The Huskers became aware of the 6-7 257-pound Hoffken at a satellite camp in Houston, Texas. Sean Callahan (subscription required) from Husker Online reports that Hoffken committed to Nebraska on the spot after receiving an offer.

Hoffken will join a 2024 class that features offensive prospects Grant Brix, Gibson Pyle, Preston Taumua, Landen Davidson, and Jake Peters. The unit also added former Florida Gator and interior offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

What role did Kirk Herbstreit play in Dylan Raiola signing with Nebraska

Did one of college football’s top analysts have a role in helping Nebraska secure a five-star recruit?

Did one of college football’s top analysts have a role in helping Nebraska secure a five-star recruit? According to the recruit’s father, that may be the case.

Dominic Raiola, father of quarterback Dylan Raiola, spoke to Adam Gorney, national recruiting director for Rivals, and said that ESPN’s Kirk Heberstreit was someone who reached out and offered advice.

“When this was happening, I will bring up one guy’s name, Kirk Herbstreit. When he saw the smoke about Dylan entertaining Nebraska, he called me and said, ‘dude, is this true? He got to do it.’ His affinity for Nebraska, for a guy like that to tell me and get behind me.”

In December, Raiola flipped his commitment from the Georgia Bulldogs to the Cornhuskers class of 2024. There are strong family connections to the program as his father, Dominic Raiola, played at Nebraska from 1998 to 2000 and was the first Rimington Trophy winner.

His uncle Donovan is Nebraska’s offensive line coach. The news of the phone call caused a flood of reactions, most of them negative. Herbstreit told Paul Finebaum that the idea that he would try influencing recruiting at any level is ridiculous.

The former Ohio State quarterback said that if he was guilty of anything, it was giving his honest feelings regarding Husker head coach Matt Rhule.

“Are you supposed to say Matt Rhule is a bad guy, Matt Rhule is an idiot, Matt Rhule is a bad coach? Or do you say, ‘I like Matt Rhule. I think Matt Rhule is a good coach.’”

From previous comments from Dylan and Dominic Raiola, it’s pretty clear that several factors played into the commitment switch. It’s highly doubtful that one phone call from Kirk Herbstreit played any role in the decision.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Defensive end commits to Nebraska

Nebraska made a major addition to its 2024 recruiting class on Wednesday afternoon.

Nebraska made a significant addition to its 2024 recruiting class on Wednesday afternoon. The Huskers added the commitment of four-star defensive end Keona Wilhite.

Wilhite originally committed to Washington before the Cornhuskers. Reports had him leaning toward UCLA, but he’s said to have changed course after Bruins’ head coach Chip Kelly made overtures to the NFL.

As a senior, he recorded 60 tackles, 18.5 for loss, and eight sacks. He was also an AZ Preps all-region first-team and Arizona Republic honorable mention all-state.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Every player Nebraska added on national signing day

National signing day has come and gone, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers have made six additions to their class of 2024. Defensive end Keona Wilhite leads the group of prospects. The former Washington commit announced his new destination on Wednesday …

National signing day has come and gone, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers have made six additions to their class of 2024. Defensive end Keona Wilhite leads the group of prospects.

The former Washington commit announced his new destination on Wednesday afternoon. Reports initially had the pass rusher heading to UCLA, but that changed after head coach Chip Kelly flirted with NFL coaching jobs.

During his signing day recap press conference, head coach Matt Rhule discussed his love for walk-on players.

“I love non-scholarship players because you know they’re playing for the love of the game or the love of the University of Nebraska. We were very intentional with the way we approached the walk-on class… I think there are three or four guys that will start for us someday in this walk-on class. That’s a bold statement, but I really believe it.”

After signing day, Nebraska now holds 31 commits and is ranked 16th in the nation, according to Rivals. Find a list of every newly signed player below.

Husker coaching staff to meet with Arizona pass rusher

The Nebraska coaching staff will be meeting with a talented pass rusher later this week.

The Nebraska coaching staff will be meeting with a talented pass rusher later this week. Keona Wilhite is a three-star pass rusher for Tucson Salpointe Catholic out of Tucson, Arizona.

Wilhite originally committed to Washington but has since decommitted and been released for his National Letter of Intent. The recruit has announced that he is now down to three schools: UCLA, Michigan State, and Nebraska.

As a senior, he recorded 60 tackles, 18.5 for loss, and eight sacks. He was also an AZ Preps all-region first-team and Arizona Republic honorable mention all-state.

Wilhite has already met with UCLA head coach Chip Kelly and Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith. Nebraska is expected to meet with the pass rusher on Friday afternoon.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Where did Nebraska land in the final 2024 recruiting class rankings

The final recruiting rankings for the class of 2024 were released earlier this week.

The final recruiting rankings for the class of 2024 were released earlier this week. 247Sports issued the final rankings on Monday after the 2024 cycle received its final adjustment.

Georgia remains in the top spot, the first time the Bulldogs clinched the No. 1 ranking since 2020. The two big conferences, the Big Ten and the SEC dominate the overall list, with 20 of the top 25 teams coming from the two leagues.

Nebraska’s 2024 class continues to have an impressive showing on the final list. The class is led by five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, in-state tight end Carter Nelson and four-star offensive tackle Grant Brix.

You can find the entire 247Sports final class of 2024 rankings below.