Recruiting: Nebraska’s 2025, 2026 in-state efforts; Husker quarterback commit Lateef at Elite 11 (2024)

As the 2025 recruiting cycle moves into the home stretch, the Nebraska football team remains in a strong position with its in-state efforts.

The Huskers have already earned commitments from five in-state recruits and are among the frontrunners to land Omaha Westside linebacker Christian Jones and Millard South tight end Chase Loftin.

While Nebraska may look to extend walk-on offers to other in-state prospects, many of those future targets have begun evaluating their options or committing elsewhere. Omaha Central edge rusher Alijah Wayne, who camped in front of Husker coaches earlier this month, committed to FCS powerhouse South Dakota State.

Kearney linebacker Sawyer Schilke, who previously held a lone FBS offer to Northern Illinois, quickly committed to Kansas State after earning a scholarship offer at a camp. The three-star recruit had unofficially visited Nebraska in the spring — but he was recruited to the Wildcats by a former Husker, KSU linebackers coach Steve Stanard, instead.

Another player on Nebraska’s radar who may end up choosing FBS offers elsewhere is three-star Stanton offensive lineman Ren Brown. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound prospect earned seven FBS offers this spring, including the likes of Northern Illinois, Ohio, Oregon State and Texas Tech.

It’ll soon be time for Nebraska to fully turn its attention toward the Class of 2026 — and the Huskers have made a new offer to one such prospect. Elkhorn North linebacker Jase Reynolds received an offer from linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek following NU’s most recent Friday Night Lights camp.

The 6-2 prospect, who also plays wide receiver, is now the third in-state player in his class with a Husker offer alongside Omaha Central athlete DaShawn Prince and Millard South tight end Isaac Jensen. Reynolds projects as an athletic off-ball linebacker whose defensive range could be among his best strengths.

While Jensen has held a Nebraska offer since January, a recent development in his recruitment came when Texas A&M offered him on Monday.

The opportunity was extended by Texas A&M’s Christian Ellsworth, a former Husker assistant who has continued to recruit the state since moving on to the SEC program. The Aggies are also pursuing Loftin as a key 2025 target, having hosted the fellow Millard South tight end for an official visit last weekend.

Other recruiting notes

* Elite 11: For the second year in a row, Nebraska will be represented by a quarterback commit at the prestigious Elite 11 Finals.

Orange (California) Lutheran’s TJ Lateef, who committed to NU in May, was one of 20 quarterback prospects invited to take part in a three-day competition that begins on Tuesday in California.

All participants go through a series of challenges evaluating different areas of quarterback play, earning points toward their final standings. The top 12 players at the end of the event are officially crowned as the Elite 11 — a group that’s highly meaningful to be a part of with many Elite 11 alumni going on to win the Heisman Trophy or reach the NFL.

Both Daniel Kaelin and Dylan Raiola, who took part in the event as a Georgia commit, officially earned their spots as Elite 11 quarterbacks in last year’s competition.

Two former Husker targets in the Class of 2025, Alex Manske (Iowa State) and Matt Zollers (Missouri), will also take part in the event.

* 2026 QB offers continue: Nebraska’s pursuit of a 2026 quarterback has led the Huskers to extend offers to 19 prospects thus far. The latest came following a camp workout where Sanford (Florida) Seminole quarterback Michael Clayton threw in front of Husker coaches, earning an offer from NU assistant Glenn Thomas. It’s been a busy summer for Clayton, whose list of 20-plus offers includes Arkansas, Auburn, Iowa, Miami and Mississippi.

Just days earlier, another 2026 target in Buford (Georgia) quarterback Dayton Raiola had participated in an FNL camp in front of his brother and the Nebraska coaching staff.