5 Nebraska football recruiting questions heading into official visits

Official visit season is here in college football recruiting. Nebraska football had a quiet first weekend, but that changes this weekend as a bunch of top targets will be in Lincoln.

The Huskers have four commitments right now in the 2026 class. But there are still plenty of questions to answer, and here is an outline of five key questions for Nebraska football recruiting.

Can the Huskers hold onto CJ Bronaugh’s commitment?

This is probably the most important question. The four-star cornerback is ranked No. 101 overall in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. He’s 6-1, 166 and runs the 100-meter dash in 10.34.

Bronaugh will be in Lincoln this weekend. It might be the most important visit on the schedule. Florida just had him on campus for an official visit, and it seemed to go well.

Nebraska football needs to move the needle back in its direction this weekend.

How many commitments will Nebraska football get in 2026?

This is setting up to be a smaller class. Roster limits will likely be in place at some point, and there seems to be more attention on the transfer portal.

I’d still expect around 20 commitments (maybe under). It feels like Matt Rhule is focused more on quality than quantity at this point. Some developmental prospects will still be added, and they should be. Not everyone can start right away, but the Huskers also need to add more blue-chip recruits.

The Huskers have just one four-star commitment right now.

How many in-state commitments?

My prediction is three. Darion Jones enjoyed his visit to Minnesota over the weekend, but his brother plays for Nebraska football. Donovan Jones has to have positive things to say about John Butler.

Iowa worries me. Yet, I see Nebraska landing Jones, and also Nelsyn Wheeler, when the Huskers finally extend an offer. I wouldn’t mind seeing them get back in on Isaac Jensen, but it seems like that ship has sailed.

Can the Huskers land a big-time tackle?

Nebraska is hosting two offensive tackles in the 2026 class, ranked in the top 200 overall according to the On3 Industry rankings for official visits. 

Kelvin Obot (6-6, 300) is out of Fruitland, Idaho. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pegs Nebraska football as a slight favorite, but Oregon and Michigan are also teams to watch.

Obot will visit this weekend. It’s a huge opportunity for the Huskers to set the tone and put themselves at the top of his recruitment.

Claude Mpouma, who is ranked 175th overall at 6-foot-8, 260 pounds, is from the Chicago area just like 2027 quarterback commitment Trae Taylor.

Landing one of those two offensive tackles should be one of the top objectives for this class. The Huskers have swung and missed on quite a few in recent years. We’ll see what June holds on that front.

Can Nebraska sign another top-25 class?

Nebraska is ranked 66th right now in the 247 Sports team composite rankings for the 2026 class. The Huskers finished 22nd in 2025. Nebraska football also finished 21st in the On3 industry rankings.

12 of the 20 signees were ranked as four-star recruits in the 247 Sports composite rankings. That gave the Huskers a blue-chip ratio of 60 percent.

That’s good enough to compete for national championships if it can be maintained, and they keep hitting on quarterback recruits like Taylor and Dylan Raiola.

Nebraska has four commitments and just one blue-chip recruit, who is on the verge of being flipped. There is work to do, and while fans should have faith in Rhule, it will be an uphill battle to get into the top 25.

My prediction is that it will happen, but a lot depends on having a successful June.