Matt Rhule and Nebraska ramp up pursuit of elite 2026 running back

Nebraska football intensifies pursuit of top‑10 RB with crucial in‑home visit.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Nebraska Cornhuskers might not have many commits just yet, but that’s not from a lack of trying. And the fact of the matter is there’s going to come a time when the dam will burst. That could end up being with one of the best running backs in the country.

The Huskers continue to charge hard after four-star recruit DeZephen Walker with the latest sign that he’s a priority target being an in-home visit from running backs coach EJ Barthel.

Nebraska pushes for 4‑star RB DeZephen Walker after in‑home visit

Walker is ranked as the No. 10 running back in the class of 2026 and the third overall player in his class from the state of Missouri, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. The Kansas Jayhawks and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are the front-runners in his recruitment, but Notre Dame and Kansas State have also been involved.

It’s likely Notre Dame getting involved, with the kind of run that team has been on lately in recruiting, that has the Huskers making sure they show Walker has valued he is in their class

Last season, Walker had 176 carries for 957 yards and eight touchdowns for Raymore-Peculiar High School. He averaged 106.3 yards per game, according to statistics from MaxPreps.com. 

Walker was clearly happy that he was getting a visit from the man who would be his position coach with the Huskers considering he put a picture of the two of them up on social media. 

The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ class of 2026 has been slowly coming together. There are four commits, with linebacker Jase Reynolds as the most recent. A back like Walker would be a huge get for Matt Rhule and company.

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