Matt Rhule's latest camp gem could flip an elite RB away from ACC and toward Nebraska

After a standout camp visit, a New York running back views Nebraska as the team to beat in one key area.
Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

2027 running back prospect Xavier Bala is one heck of a rising star. New York high school player has been getting a ton of offers of late, but with Nebraska football’s scholarship offer this weekend, the Huskers stand out, in part because it took him coming to Lincoln for a camp in order to earn that offer.

The Cornhuskers also stand out because it appears his trip was a massive success. In fact, it was such a great visit that one has to think that Matt Rhule and company are now the front runners for the athlete who had been considered a lock for the Syracuse Orange until recently.

Xavier Bala visit may vault Nebraska into lead over Syracuse for 2027 running back pledge

Bala got an offer from the Nebraska football team in part because, according to Bryan Munson, he impressed the coaches during his stop at the camp. The facilities he saw and the facilities he saw while he was trying to impress coaches, also impressed Bala considering he told Munson that, “Nebraska has by far the nicest facilities of all of the places that I have visited so far.”

For the record, Bala also loved Lincoln on its own. He believes it’s one of the nicest cities he’s laid eyes on.

The Baldwin Senior (Baldwin, NY) product is still a bit under the radar. He doesn’t yet have a rating from many of the main recruiting services, though ESPN does rate him as a 3-star running back and already the No. 2 player in the state of New York in the 2027 class.

Xavier Bala will almost certainly see more Power programs come calling as his recruitment really ramps up. His junior season will certainly help, though he’s already put up 1,009 yards and 8 touchdowns in his sophomore season.

Nebraska football is the latest offer from the bigger schools but he does already have Syracuse and Rutgers wanting his services. There’s plenty of Group of 5 programs coming calling as well. However, Matt Rhule and company clearly have their foot in the door and made a great impression on this latest unofficial visit.