Breaking down a new D-line offer by Nebraska football in 2024

Nebraska football lost the commitment of Carlon Jones recently, but another 2024 defensive lineman has emerged.

There’s no question that Nebraska football took a big hit in the 2024 recruiting class when Carlon Jones announced his decommitment.

It was a bummer after the Huskers identified him in the offseason, before he was ranked. Now, he’s ranked as a four-star recruit in the 247 Sports composite rankings but is expected to commit to Ohio State or Oregon.

You wondered if the Huskers were going to try to address the defensive line or just move forward with the recruiting class as is. On Monday, we got an answer as Nebraska football extended an offer to Kent State commitment Maraad Watson.

I am blessed to say I have received my 2nd power 5 offer to Nebraska University @CoachSmokeNJ @Coach_Knighton #irvingtontuff #GBR pic.twitter.com/mM079qIj7V

— Maraad Watson70 (@WatsonMaraad) December 5, 2023

Watson isn’t ranked according to the 247 Sports composite rankings or the On3 Industry rankings. Yet, Rutgers offered Watson on Monday, the same day he committed to Kent State.

The Irvington, New Jersey defensive lineman who is 6-foot-3, 285 pounds is reportedly stout against the run according to Bryan Munson of Husker Online. He’s also known as a solid pass rusher.

Watson set to visit Nebraska football

Watson is much more of a project than someone like Jones, but when Nebraska football first offered Jones — he was probably viewed as a project too. I wasn’t able to find any updated stats on Watson. But Rutgers and Nebraska both see the guy as capable of being a Big Ten defensive lineman.

The defensive lineman is also scheduled to visit Nebraska later this month, according to Munson, so it seems like there is a real chance the Huskers could win his commitment.

Kent State has his commitment now, but my guess is that Rutgers is the biggest threat to Nebraska, which is looking to shore up the defensive line leading up to signing day.

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