Nebraska Football building impressive walk-on class in 2023

Nebraska football fans are focused on the 2024 recruiting class, but the Huskers are building a solid walk-on class too.

There’s a ton of momentum surrounding Nebraska football on the recruiting trail right now, especially with Carter Nelson poised for a commitment.

Nelson took his official visit to Nebraska football this weekend and has been trending with expert projections from 247 Sports, Rivals, and On3. Basically, all the recruiting experts are expecting Nelson to join the Huskers’ 2024 class.

Yet, Matt Rhule has also been diligent about adding quality walk-ons to the program and the Huskers added another to the 2023 class on Saturday, which is the third in the past few days.

The latest walk-on commitment is from JUCO EDGE prospect James Williams. He played last season at Iowa Central Community College. Williams is 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and impressed at the recent post-graduate camp hosted by Nebraska football.

6-foot-5, 235-pound DL out of Iowa Central CC. In 11 games last season as a freshman, Williams collected 19 tackles and six sacks. #Huskers https://t.co/CwFYy4kQiC

— Steve Marik (@Steve_Marik) June 24, 2023

While he was set to return to Iowa Central next season, after posting six sacks a season ago, he will now walk on at Nebraska, which is a great thing for the Huskers. They needed some depth at EDGE and adding Williams was a smart move. It doesn’t cost a scholarship, but you are getting a kid with JUCO production.

More quality walk-on additions, including at QB

Getting walk-ons with other college opportunities is something Nebraska used to do frequently. Rhule is putting that program back together. He even landed an intriguing quarterback this week.

Luke Longval is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback that also participated in the post-grad camp at Nebraska. Instead of competing for the starting job at Iowa Western Community College next season, he’ll join the Huskers as a walk-on.

Nebraska football also flipped Cooper Wilson, a kid that was committed to play for Montana, one of the top FCS programs in the country.

Cooper Wilson flips his commitment from Montana #GrizFB to Nebraska. Had been a late addition to the Grizzlies' 2023 high school recruiting class after posting blistering track times. UM recruited him as an athlete. He played DB/WR at Bonney Lake, Washington. 6-foot-3, 190 pounds https://t.co/Wu92Nid0Ni

— Frank Gogola (@FrankGogola) June 24, 2023

Wilson is 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, and could be a wide receiver or a defensive back. When you read that he had some blazing fast track times, it’s no wonder Nebraska football wanted him.

But right there, you add three players that could have played in junior college or the FCS this season as walk-ons. That’s how you do it and while there’s a chance none of them pan out, it only takes one earning a scholarship to make it all worth it.

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