3 thoughts on commitment of Elijah Pritchett to Nebraska football

After weeks of hand-wringing from Nebraska football fans, the Huskers have finally landed an offensive lineman from the transfer portal.

Even though it took longer than some liked, Nebraska football was able to reel in one of the best offensive tackles in the portal in former Alabama starter Elijah Pritchett who announced his commitment on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-7 (about 330 pounds) former five-star recruit, started double-digit games for Alabama last season, with 10 starts at right tackle.

Pritchett spent three seasons with the Tide. He’s got two years of eligibility left and here are three thoughts on the addition of the No. 4 offensive tackle and No. 42 overall transfer available via 247 Sports.

A dude with starting experience

Pritchett played over 600 snaps last season with Alabama. He wasn’t perfect but he’s a player with starting experience at right and left tackle. That’s perfect for Nebraska football. His PFF grades weren’t great and he allowed 31 pressures but it was his first full season as a starter.

Pritchett has all the tools to be an All-Big Ten tackle. Depending on what happens with other transfer portal pursuits, he could easily slide in for Bryce Benhart next season.

Nebraska shouldn’t stop at one offensive tackle though. Pritchett is a big-time get. He was one of the top tackles in the portal and has two seasons of eligibility left — the same amount of time Dylan Raiola will stay at Nebraska. But the room could still use more reinforcements.

Nebraska football finally gets 5-star tackle

Whether it was Brandon Baker or David Sanders, Nebraska football has tried to sign a five-star offensive tackle to protect its five-star quarterback the past two recruiting classes. In Pritchett, the Huskers have achieved that goal.

Pritchett will need to up his game next season but at least he’s got all the tools. He’s also much better than an unproven starter, which would have been the alternative.

The player he was last season, probably wouldn’t be a huge upgrade over Benhart, but Nebraska needed a plug-and-play starter and it got one in Pritchett.

Right or left tackle?

The ideal scenario for Nebraska, in my humble opinion, is to keep pushing for Shiyazh Pete, the former New Mexico left tackle.

Pete is 6-foot-8, 320 pounds, and is expected to visit Nebraska football on Wednesday. I have no idea what the addition of Pritchett means for Pete, however, the former all-conference standout (2023) has played over 1,700 snaps at left tackle.

Yes, that was a the Group of Five level, but if Pete could play left tackle and Pritchett plays the right, Nebraska would have a solid starting group and at least three quality tackles.

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