Truly, one of the most interesting aspects of this new era of college football is how many in-state prospects are getting a ton of attention from Power Conference schools. It feels like now, more than ever, players are getting offers from not only outside the state but outside the usual region. Count Bryson Williams among those.
The Omaha Westside Safety has flown under the radar when it comes to recruiting services. He doesn't have any stars, but he's starting to rack up plenty of offers from schools that will be competing for a playoff spot in 2025.
The most recent power conference school to come calling is the up-and-coming Vanderbilt Commodores. Yet, the Nebraska football team continues to stand on the sidelines. Williams is yet another player who will test Matt Rhule and his staff's approach to players inside their borders these days.
Power programs want Bryson Williams — but Nebraska still isn’t calling
Rhule has clarified that he cannot lock down the state like his predecessors did. Some of that is because of the 105-man roster limit that will, at some point, be put into place. Some of it is that there's so much talent getting attention from other schools that Rhule and his staff can't grab everyone.
While it's not on the same scale, no one expects Billy Donovan to nab every player that comes out of Florida. Lincoln Riley isn't expected to lock down all of California. And while it's a smaller scale, Rhule can't be expected to shut the borders of Nebraska.
Still, with offers from Vanderbilt, Iowa State, Fresno State, and Colorado State, enough FBS schools are knocking on his door that it's normal to ask if Rhule is missing a target in Bryson Williams.
He had a very nice Junior season, logging 66 tackles (49 Solo), 11 Pass break ups, 3 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries, and 2 forced fumbles. He also had a nose for the endzone when he did get his hands on the ball, scoring 3 defensive touchdowns.
Bryson Williams isn't on the level of in-state prospect as someone like Brett Thomalla, who has the Alabama Crimson Tide beating down his door. But the Omaha safety is still someone whose stock is rising as we get closer to the 2026 signing day and it doesn't appear that Nebraska football will join the fray.