This is something that Nebraska and Matt Rhule are going to be celebrating for a little while. In case you somehow missed it, Trae Taylor got the surprise of a lifetime, as he's now a 5-star quarterback per the new 247Sports rankings. Not only that, he's the No. 1 signal-caller in the country, and No. 8 player overall. Whoa!
The news just recently broke, and as you might have been able to guess, the youngster was pretty dang elated with things. As you'll be able to see in the video below, the future Cornhusker was totally stunned by the news, as he thought he was just doing a regular interview with reporter Tom Loy. His reaction really said it all.
Thank you @TomLoy247 for the call. So excited for this moment, and wouldn’t be possible without my WR from last year and my OL. As excited as I am have no time to really enjoy. Locked in on @MSouthFootball season coming up and continuing to get better. Head down grinding… https://t.co/HBYeLgKtMx
— Trae Taylor (@Qb6Trae) June 10, 2026
Trae Taylor landed his 5-star status after putting on a show at the Elite 11
In the clip, Taylor hops on with Loy, thinking that he's going to be talking about his performance at the Elite 11. Taylor put on a show, no question, raising his stock. It felt like it was only going to be a matter of time before he received that coveted fifth star.
Loy indeed pulled a fast one on the stud QB, though, quickly telling Taylor that he didn't want to talk about the Elite 11. Taylor's face showcased someone in shock, thinking Loy was being rude. Instead, Loy then let him know about his rankings boost, which had Taylor smiling from ear to ear.
On top of that, he immediately said that he had to call his parents soon to give them the good news. This is a reminder that, as talented as Taylor is, and as bright of a future he has in Lincoln, he's still a teenager at the end of the day. His reaction to things was totally priceless, and it really highlights how humble a young man he is.
Let's be real here - Taylor has every reason to be a bit cocky right now. He's fresh off a dominant showing at the Elite 11, has Ohio State working to flip him, and he's considered the savior for Nebraska moving forward. We'd all understand if he had a bit of a big head, but the opposite is the case here.
Instead, Taylor continues to do the right things on and off the field, doing everything he can to represent the Cornhuskers the right way. You better believe that Rhule and his staff are also loving the help the QB is providing out on the recruiting trail, which includes Taylor working his magic a bit to try to flip 5-star LSU tight end commit Ahmad Hudson.
The two were in Lincoln with one another last weekend, with the elite TE on flip watch. Taylor is doing everything he can to help out there, as people are dreaming of the two making plays for Rhule together down the road. Regardless of whether that happens or not, Taylor is locked in with Nebraska, and he's fired up to make head-turning plays for the Big Ten side in the coming years. And, he'll be doing so as a 5-star talent.
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