Just two weeks ahead of early signing day, Nebraska football's 2026 recruiting class is in pieces. The early Wednesday morning decommitment of Dayton Raiola means Matt Rhule and his crew have just 9 commitments and are struggling to stay in the Top 100 classes.
It's normal to get nervous about such a small class. It's normal to be nervous about such a small class after Rhule signed an extension that keeps him in Lincoln through 2032. However, while some Husker fans are bound to do it, it's far too early to start panicking and worrying that the extension was a mistake.
What's going on with Nebraska football's 2026 class?
Raiola was joined earlier this week by the decommitment of offensive lineman Leon Noil. Noil committed to Mississippi State within an hour of Raiola opening his recruiting back up.
Nebraska is now sitting at nine commits. They're recruiting class ranking is the worst it's been in more than 20 years. So just what is going on?
The youth on the current roster, paired with the Huskers looking at the transfer portal more than in the past, Rhule and his staff were always expecting a small class. Still, nine commitments is tiny. And it's worrying Husker fans.
Despite the concerns, this year, there's plenty of reason to be excited about the future of Nebraska's recruiting efforts.
2027 class offers big hope for Nebraska football
While the Huskers are hemorrhaging commitments in the 2026 class, they're building one of the best in the program's history so far for the 2027 class.
Quarterback Trae Taylor might be the headliner, but there's plenty of talent. NU already has five commitments, with the latest being Texas wide receiver Tay Ellis. His commitment earlier this month, as well as Nebraska being in excellent standing with quite a few Blue Chippers, shows it's not time to push the panic button.
The outside noise around Matt Rhule, going from a top candidate for Penn State to someone who is limping to the finish line, will be loud. There will be plenty of negative recruiting in the coming year.
However, Nebraska is staring a potential 9-3 season in 2025 and a bright future under the Huskers' head coach. Rhule's extension was the right decision at the time, and that will be proven out.