Monday we went over the needs for our offense within the 2025 recruiting class, and today we shift our focus to the defense.
In my opinion, there are two very big needs for this class. First, ILBs as when DC White got here we were fortunate to have guys like Bullock, Henrich, and Reimer already on board. Bullock and Wright are your starters for 2024 with Thompson the transfer, that gives us a solid 3. But Bullock and Wright will be gone after this year, leaving only Thompson and whoever we groom behind them for the 2025 season. I expect another transfer portal addition here, but this is about the high school recruits. The second position is the defensive line. Nebraska did an unreal job in their first class grabbing guys like Lenhardt, Umanmiellen, and Van Poppel to go along with guys like Carroll-Jackson and Lefotu who redshirted. Nebraska only grabbed Ashton Murphy from Elkhorn South in their 2024 recruiting class, so they need to restock the cupboard here.
Let’s get into it:
Defensive Line 3-5 commits (1 commit)
Nebraska has a great start with Omaha North commit Tyson Terry who is also a standout wrestler. Terry is a year older than most of his classmates and will be 19 when he gets to Nebraska, so he could be ready to play and add depth right away. But we are going to need a few more guys to get the room back to where it needs to be as we lose Hutmacher and Robinson after this year. What’s interesting about Nebraska’s defense is it doesn’t require massive guys at the DL spot. A guy like Jimari Butler played ILB, JACK, and then DE for Nebraska in 2023 and guys like him that are 250/260 can make great plays in this defense that attacks and slices up field as opposed to “holding the line” like we saw with Diaco or Chinander defenses. Nebraska has had guys like Jaylen Williams in within the last week who rated his visit an “11”. Looking for another good class in 2024.
JACK – 1-2 commits
Much like QB, you almost always need to bring in a JACK/EDGE LB every year because these guys can be disruptive and difference makers. With Gbayor and Noonan back for 2025, we need at least 1 guy here but I wouldn’t be shocked to see 2 commits (could be high school and transfer). Nebraska is already in early on a legacy recruit, Jack Limbaugh from Algona, Iowa.
Inside Linebacker 2-3 commits
In 2 years Nebraska loses the 4 players that made ILB such a staple of our great 3-3-5 defense (Henrich, Bullock, Reimer, and Wright). Stockpiling more talent is going to be imperative and needed to keep things where they need to be. Nebraska offered Millard North standout LB Pierce Mooberry this month, and is another legacy as his dad played football here in the late 90s. He had 87 tackles this year, and I expect him to be N sooner than later since he has a teammate already committed. But probably the most prized recruit in the state this year is Omaha Westside LB Christian Jones. There is no shortage of people coming after Jones, as he has pretty much his pick of any school he wants. If we can somehow land Mooberry and Jones, that gives us the foundation we need to finish off this class. Make no mistake, if we get Jones we are cooking with gas.
Defensive Back 3-6 (1 commit)
Nebraska’s first commit in their DB class for 2025 was Caden VerMaas from Millard North at safety. I truly have no idea how many players we are going to take at DB, mainly because there’s so many variables in what they look for and there’s 5 that play for us pretty much at all times. Heck, this could ramp up to 7 commits quite frankly. Nebraska has 24, yes 24, DBs on scholarship for the 2024 season (at this point in time). 15 of those players are first or second year recruits, meaning we have a ton of young talent which could lead to maybe being close to the 3 mark for recruits? With Cooper loving to watch film as much as he does I have a feeling he won’t let them get away with only letting them get 2 more recruits for him.
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Do you think they will continue to bring in guys like Nash, seems like Terry is in the same mold. I ask because in the BIG10 i believe we need them for the run game.
Someone just asked me something similar on Twitter. I think they’ll continue to grab guys like Van Poppel, Carroll-Jackson, Lefotu, and now Terry. But guys like Lenhardt, Umanmiellen, they are going to be extremely important as well.
Yeah I was thinking this has got to be a big year for DLine, unless we get a lot of portal players. We had a good haul 2 years ago, but hardly anyone last year.
Thinking we might need portal help next year too to help with depth after this year’s group leaves?
Ya… and there’s always attrition. I’m curious what will the needs be in the portal for us in a year.
Does the chance (likelihood) of Tony White leaving after the 2024 season affect D line recruiting? The current defense may not require enormous linemen but perhaps the next DC would.
You actually must be looking at my article drafts! I have an article about DC White’s departure next week. I think there’s some challenges there for sure