The Nebraska football team was already preparing for a lively January. Now it looks like they might be securing the commitment of one of the best running backs in the 2027 class when Xavier Bala announces his college of choice.
The standout four-star running back from St. Anthony’s (NY), has officially trimmed his list to a final six and set his commitment date for January 10, 2026. The announcement is scheduled to take place on national television during the Navy All-American Bowl on NBC, marking a massive milestone for the 6-foot, 215-pound New York native. That will give Bala plenty of exposure, and if Greg Smith of On3 is correct, it will give the Huskers plenty of exposure too.
With just a few weeks to go until his commitment date, the recruiting analyst has officially logged a prediction for Nebraska to score the Blue Chip prospect.
What landing Xavier Bala would mean for Nebraska football’s 2027 class
As the recruiting cycle intensifies, the battle for Bala has narrowed down to a group of heavyweight contenders. The four-star prospect has officially kept Ohio State, Nebraska, Virginia, Syracuse, and Boston College in his final mix, alongside programs like Maryland that have remained active in his recruitment.
The idea that the Cornhuskers could steal Bala away from Ohio State is a big deal for Matt Rhule and company. It also shows that while the Huskers suffered a setback in the decommitment of Jabari Watkins, the 2027 recruiting cycle could still be massive for the coach entering his fourth year in Lincoln.
That's especially huge considering Nebraska's 2026 class was underwhelming at the very least. Xavier Bala would also start off the new year in a great way for NU.