Where Nebraska Football Currently Stands: A Strategic, Selective Recruiting Cycle

As June wrapped up, Nebraska football closed a productive month on the recruiting trail, landing eight new commits to bring its 2025 total to 11.

On paper, the numbers may not jump off the page—Nebraska currently sits at No. 63 nationally and No. 17 in the Big Ten in recruiting rankings. But context, as always, matters.

Portal Priorities Take Center Stage

One of the biggest storylines of this cycle has been Nebraska’s clear focus on the transfer portal. The staff has made a concerted effort to upgrade the roster immediately with experienced talent, landing key portal additions like Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame), Elijah Pritchett (Alabama), and Dasan McCullough (Oklahoma).

These are high-level players with proven ability, and they fill immediate needs, particularly in the trenches and on defense.

With the NCAA’s new financial landscape, prioritizing the portal often means fewer resources for high school recruiting. Big-name high school players command significant NIL deals, and Nebraska’s budget—like everyone’s—is finite.

First-year GM Pat Stewart has taken a lead role in deciding where and how to deploy these resources, and so far, the approach has been calculated and focused.

Building from the Lines Out

Despite the leaner high school class, Nebraska has made the offensive line a priority. Four high school linemen have committed: Hayden Ainsworth, Rex Waterman, Leon Noil, and Claude Mpouma. Of the group, Mpouma stands out with elite upside and athleticism that’s hard to find at the high school level.

This strategy has a long-term payoff. Quality linemen have become some of the most expensive assets in the transfer portal, and developing them in-house is a savvy way to build depth and preserve cap flexibility.

Credit also goes to O-line coach Donovan Raiola, whose reputation as a developer of…

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Publish date : 2025-07-11 19:43:00

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