An in-state recruit Nebraska football should offer in 2026 class

One of the impacts of college football roster limits, for Nebraska football at least, has been fewer offers to in-state recruits.

Part of that is because the walk-on program no longer exists. The 105-man roster limit essentially ended that for Nebraska football, which has been a huge part of the program.

Yet, that’s not the only reason the Huskers have probably cooled on in-state recruits. Daniel Kaelin, Isaiah McMorris, and Dae’Vonn Hall were each highly-touted recruits in the 2024 class and signed with Nebraska football but transferred a year later.

The 2026 class is also a light on talent compared to others. Nebraska football has offered tight end Isaac Jensen and also linebacker/athlete Jase Reynolds. Those players will each take official visits to Nebraska this summer.

Jeff Thomalla is the top recruit in the 2026 class, but the four-star quarterback has gotten zero interest from the Huskers, who have Dayton Raiola committed as their quarterback.

An in-state recruit Nebraska football should offer

It feels like Nebraska isn’t going to offer Thomalla, but one 2026 offer that should go out is to 2026 defensive back Darion Jones. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound defensive back from Omaha North is the younger brother of current Husker Donovan Jones.

Jones is a three-star prospect ranked No. 473 overall in the 2026 class. He’s ranked second in the state of Nebraska and has been trending with Big Ten offers. Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kansas State of the Big 12 have offered in the last week.

Iowa State, which has landed a slew of in-state players from Nebraska in 2026, has an official visit scheduled for this summer along with Minnesota.

It’s almost getting too late for the Huskers to offer and still win this recruitment, so if they are going to jump in the mix, it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

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