Nebraska football trails Alabama for top linebacker prospect

Nebraska football fans are patiently waiting for big news from an even bigger recruit. Unfortunately, it’s looking more and more like that news might not be what the fanbase is hoping for.

There was a time when the Huskers looked like they might be able to steal away one of the best players in the country from the Alabama Crimson Tide. It looked as though they might be netting a 4-star prospect from Kansas that would signal the Cornhuskers were really back. Unfortunately, that’s looking less and less likely.

Nebraska football trailing in the horse race for 5-star prospect

Linebacker prospect Dawson Merritt made it clear a few weeks ago that he was down to two teams. The Nebraska football team and the Alabama Crimson Tide. There was even a time when it looked like the SEC power was going to lose the race. However, that time has come and gone.

Across the recruiting industry, experts are putting in FutureCasts, Crystal Balls, and RPMs for the Overland Park native to land with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Merritt took an official visit to Lincoln in late April and also to Tuscaloosa earlier this month. These are the only official visits he has taken so far in his recruitment. It is in fact, according to Merritt, the only visits he will take.

He’s supposed to be done with his recruitment. Those picks for the Tide are in. So what exactly is taking so long for Merritt to name the winner of the race? It’s possible that is one last bit of hope for the Huskers.

Nebraska currently has 11 commitments in its 2025 recruiting class, the most recent coming from three-star defensive end Malcolm Simpson. This past weekend was a big one for Matt Rhule’s crew and it’s hoped that they’ve added some big commitments. For now, the Nebraska football team just waits to see where Dawson Merritt has decided to go.