One of the new realities for Nebraska football in the post-House vs. NCAA settlement world is that teams will come into the state and nab athletes who might have been Husker players just a few years ago. Millard South running back Nelsyn Wheeler is the latest example of this new reality.
Wheeler announced on Tuesday morning that he’s headed to another Big Ten squad instead of the Cornhuskers. The talented running back committed to Bret Bielema and the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Nelsyn Wheeler picks Illinois over Nebraska after Huskers decline to offer in-state 3-star RB
Wheeler’s commitment is just the latest in-state product that is going elsewhere and landing on Power 4 programs. Jett Thomala is currently committed to the Iowa State Cyclones, but might be looking toward the Alabama Crimson Tide. And the most interesting thing that connects the two players is that neither has an offer from the Nebraska football program.
As it turns out, the Huskers are one of the only power programs not to offer Wheeler. He holds offers from Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Kansas, Fresno State, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Northern Illinois, Oregon State, Washington State, Wyoming, Air Force, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), South Dakota, and Sacramento State.
The Huskers were at least kicking the tires on the 3-star running back, considering he took a few unofficial visits in 2024. However, those visits didn’t turn into visits, and Wheeler turned his back on Nebraska in 2025.
Now, Bielema has a running back who ran for over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. Here’s hoping Nelsyn Wheeler’s landing in Illinois doesn’t come back to burn the Nebraska football team on the field in the coming years.