Matt Rhule and the Nebraska football staff have talked often about how the 105-man roster, NIL, and the transfer portal have changed the way they approach recruiting. Despite offering up rationale for why they aren't pursuing in-state prospects they might have in the past, the approach has rubbed some people the wrong way. Count Omaha Westside defensive back Bryson Williams among those who are less than thrilled with Rhule and Co.
Williams is one of several Nebraska 2026 prospects on the Iowa State commitment list. He's joined by Lincoln North Star's Tyrell Chatman, Sidney's Keian Kaiser, Amarion Jackson from Millard South, Omaha Central safety Kaprice Keith, and Elkhorn North linebacker Barry Fries. While the Cyclones have celebrated "stealing" all six out from under NU's nose, none of the half-dozen prospects received an offer from the Huskers.
Legacy prospect Bryson Williams blasts Nebraska football staff for lack of contact
According to Williams, it's not just that he didn't get an offer from Nebraska. His issue is that they didn't really communicate with him at all. The lack of communication came despite Bryson being a legacy prospect whose father, Jamel Williams, played and started on two National Title teams for NU in 1995 and 1996.
"They took a chance on me," Williams told Rivals' Adam Gorney about Iowa State earlier this week. "Nebraska never contacted me. Never came to my school or invited me to a game, but invited some of my teammates despite my dad being a two-time national champ for them and also getting drafted."
Williams isn't the only prospect who has said that the Huskers' coaching staff didn't pay a ton of attention. Still, he's among the angriest about his treatment. He's got a point too, in a recently bygone era, he would have at least been offered a preferred walk-on spot early and talked to often.
However, the Nebraska football team cannot spend time and attention on players they don't intend to offer a scholarship to. There aren't anywhere near as many walk-on spots to offer up. It's also worth noting that Bryson Williams has still gotten a chance to play Power 4 football with a team that almost made the playoffs a year ago. While he clearly has an issue with Matt Rhule and the Huskers' staff, it would be better if he simply understood the reality of the situation and moved on.