Tag: Nebraska Class of 2024

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Nebraska high school football player commits to the Cornhuskers as a walk-on

A Nebraska high school football player has accepted a Preferred Walk-On spot with the Cornhuskers.

A Nebraska high school football player has accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the Cornhuskers. Rowdy Bauer is a class of 2024 prospect out of Norfolk, Nebraska.

He made the announcement on social media.

First off, I would like to thank God for allowing me to achieve a lifelong dream. Next, I’d like to thank all my previous coaches, teammates, and trainers for helping me develop into the man and player I am today. To my family, thank you for the endless support and unmatched effort and time you have put into my dreams! Thank you to Coach Rhule, Coach Foley, and all of the Nebraska coaching staff for giving me this opportunity! With that being said I am announcing my commitment to the University of Nebraska!!

The running back/slot receiver ran for 719 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior year. He also had 24 catches for 252 yards and three touchdowns. His position with the Cornhuskers has yet to be determined.

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Three-star edge rusher commits to Nebraska

A class of 2024 recruit has announced his commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

A class of 2024 recruit announced his commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Three-star edge rusher Jordan Ochoa announced on social media that he planned to continue his college career in Lincoln.

I’m very blessed for this opportunity. I would like to thank my coaches at Castle View High School for always pushing me on and off the field. I would also like to thank my family, teammates, teachers and friends who have supported me throughout this journey. With that being said I will be committing to the University of Nebraska! GBR #GOHUSKERS

Ochoa went unsigned during the December signing period and was waiting for a major offer. He had visited the Lincoln campus on two separate occasions. As a senior at Castle View High, he recorded 61 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

A report from HuskerOnline stated the Husker staff has focused on Ochoa playing the Jack linebacker in Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense. The recruit is also receiving interest from Colorado State.

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2024 Nebraska signee among top performers at Polynesian Bowl

Nebraska’s 2024 tight end signee Carter Nelson continues to impress on the all-star game circuit.

2024 Nebraska tight end signee Carter Nelson put together a strong performance at the All-American Game earlier this month and is now impressing at the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii.

On Wednesday, Nelson was named one of the top performers from day two of the Polynesian Bowl’s practices by Rivals. He was listed alongside Notre Dame wide receiver signee Logan Saldate, Arizona running back signee Jordan Washington, Utah quarterback signee Isaac Wilson, and UCLA wide receiver signee Kwazi Gilmer.

Nelson is ranked as a four-star recruit across the recruiting industry including both by 247Sports and Rivals as a top 100 prospect in the country. Nelson was the Huskers’ second-highest ranked prospect in the class only behind quarterback Dylan Raiola who is ranked by three of four services as a top-10 prospect.

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Huskers visit with three-star edge rusher

A class of 2024 prospect received a visit from Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule earlier in the week.

A class of 2024 prospect received a visit from Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule earlier in the week. Three-star edge rusher Jordan Ochoa announced on social media that he also met with offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield on Wednesday morning.

Ochoa went unsigned during the December signing period and is still looking for a major offer before February. He had previously visited the Lincoln campus on two separate occasions.

A report from HuskerOnline states that the Husker staff has focused on Ochoa playing the Jack linebacker in Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense. The recruit is also receiving interest from Colorado State.

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Social media reacts to Dylan Raiola in the long ball competition at the Polynesian Bowl

A future Nebraska quarterback is making headlines on social media.

A future Nebraska quarterback is making headlines on social media. Class of 2024 recruit Dylan Raiola was trending on Monday afternoon after his performance in the Polynesian Bowl long ball competition.

Raiola had throws of 72 and 70 yards, making him the only quarterback in the competition to break 70+ yards. Three future Huskers will be taking part in this year’s all-star game.

Those three participants are Carter Nelson, Dylan Raiola, and Preston Taumua. The game will see the top high school players in the country ‘gather in Hawaii to celebrate culture and play the game they love.’

The two teams will be coached by former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.

The Polynesian Bowl will occur on Friday, January 19, at 8:00 p.m. CT from Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, live on NFL Network.

You can find social media reactions to the throw below.