Nebraska Cornhuskers news: Illinois moving on Nebraska recruits, Willis McGahee talks commitment, and more

In our latest Nebraska Cornhuskers news roundup, Illinois lands another Nebraska recruit, Willis McGahee talks commitment and more.

It was a bit of a slow news day on Wednesday for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I guess it was for the Nebraska football team since there wasn’t a commitment.

That’s a joke. But after the busy month of June, in which Nebraska football landed 15 verbal commitments, it’s taken a minute to get used to having a day or two without a commitment.

However, a player from the state did make a power-5 commitment, it just wasn’t a commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Tanner Hollinger is the player in question. He’s an 8-man football tight end sort of like Carter Nelson.

Committed. #ILL #HTTO #famILLy pic.twitter.com/L3PqimKm84

— Tanner Hollinger (@HollingerTanner) July 5, 2023

Hollinger is the 16th-ranked player in the state and also the fourth tight end from Nebraska to announce a Power-5 commitment. It’s wild but Nebraska is becoming known for its tight ends.

It’s interesting that Illinois has now landed two recruits from the Cornhusker State in 2024. Caleb Pyfrom was the other. You can certainly debate how badly Nebraska football wanted Pyfrom. The intel is that the staff told him they were full on the interior in terms of offensive linemen.

But it’s something to watch going forward. Nebraska football doesn’t want Illinois encroaching on the state. It’s been decades since the Fighting Illini have done so and I’ll be keeping an eye on Bret Bielema going forward.

Willis McGahee talks commitment to Nebraska Cornhuskers

One of the 2024 Nebraska football commitments some fans have had questions about is three-star linebacker Willis McGahee IV.

McGahee committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the spring. He didn’t take an official visit over the summer months, but did take a trip to UCF which got some buzz going about him flipping.

As it turned out, the official visit was scheduled before he committed to Nebraska football. Matt Rhule knew about it and it was more of a courtesy to the UCF staff. Will Turboff of Huskers 247 caught up with McGahee this week and it’s clear that his commitment to Nebraska football feels solid.

#Huskers commit Willis McGahee IV didn’t make it up to Nebraska for an OV in June, but he’s still thrilled with the direction of the program

“I think, these guys, we’re gonna actually be really good and be able to win a national championship”

🔗(VIP): https://t.co/jAGYcXkx5U pic.twitter.com/WMyoi4aIL6

— Will Turboff (@WillTurboff) July 5, 2023

He was even talking about the Nebraska Cornhuskers winning a national title. I don’t know if that’s realistic, but I like that McGahee is drinking the Kool-Aid just like I am.

According to what McGahee told 247 Sports, Nebraska football is the only program he’s in contact with right now. It also sounds like an official visit is being planned for Sept. 30 against Michigan.

More Nebraska Cornhuskers news

• The Nebraska Cornhuskers landed one of the top wrestlers available in the transfer portal this past weekend thanks to the commitment of Owen Pentz from NDSU. Pentz is expected to compete in the upper weights for Nebraska and might even be a heavyweight. He’s a three-time NCAA tournament qualifier and has a career record of 45-26 with 26 pins in the 197-pound weight class.
• In a couple of basketball notes, former Nebraska Cornhuskers standout Bryce McGowens dropped 10 points and grabbed three boards for Charlotte in a Summer League game on Wednesday against Golden State. The Nebraska women’s basketball team also announced their new numbers and essentially their finalized roster for the 2023-24 season, which should be an exciting one.

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