Since Trae Taylor committed to Nebraska, excitement around the quarterback has been high. As his time leading up to signing on the dotted line has continued, the now 5-star quarterback has seen the plaudits and expectations grow. They reached a crescendo on Monday morning when Omaha World-Herald Husker beat writer Sam McKewon talked to Hurrdat Sports about how much Taylor has impressed him. Among other things, the longtime NU expert said people don’t even realize how good the gunslinger really is yet.
“I think everybody has an understanding of how good he is. And however good people think he is, he's actually probably better than that. He's really good. I don't say it lightly,” McKewon said.
The insider went on to say that while 247Sports finally gave the Nebraska commit his fifth star, Rivals hasn’t, and he doesn’t really understand what the holdup there is. He did offer that perhaps Rivals is basing its ratings more on what someone like Elijah Haven (currently the site's top-rated quarterback) brings in terms of size and stature in the pocket. He went on to say he doesn’t believe that’s how quarterback evaluations should work.
“I don't think anybody who watched him [Haven] throw and watched Trae Taylor throw at the Elite 11 really thinks he's a better passer at this point. And that's what matters. What matters is your ability. So long as you're tall enough, which Trae is - so long as you're tall enough - what matters is your ability to pass ... It isn't, you know, do you stand 6'4?”
“However good people think [Trae Taylor] is, he’s actually probably better than that.”@swmckewonOWH believes that the newly minted 5-star Nebraska quarterback commit has all the tools to be a great quarterback.
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) June 15, 2026
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Trae Taylor’s Elite 11 showing has Nebraska football hype climbing higher
McKewon said the perfect measurables, as far as height and weight, and “looking the part,” is no longer the game. There have been far too many quarterbacks to come through the college ranks that looked the part but didn’t perform up to par, and scouting has shifted for what makes a great QB.
“The game today is. Can you throw the ball 35 times a game and complete 27 of them or 28 of them? Can you make off-platform plays? Can you get out of the pocket? Not necessarily just to scramble, but to scramble and throw. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson. Can you do those things? I think everybody has an understanding of how good he is.”
The Omaha World-Herald expert understands there are bound to be fans who think he’s just blowing smoke and hyping up a Nebraska commitment, but he was very careful to make it clear that he doesn’t do that. His assessment of Trae Taylor is based on the young player’s skills, especially when he’s going up against the best players in the 2027 class.
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