Nebraska football is a finalist for elite 2026 running back

Nebraska football has a bunch of irons in the fire in the 2026 recruiting class. The board is still getting defined but one of the top targets is four-star running back Brian Bonner out of California.

The 6-foot, 185-pound back out of Valencia, California, is one of the top running back prospects in the entire 2026 class. He’s ranked 97th overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Bonner is also ranked as the No. 7 running back, as well as the 12th-best player in the state of California.

Bonner just released his top eight on Tuesday. Nebraska football made the cut along with Michigan, Penn State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, and Washington.

NEWS: Four-Star RB Brian Bonner Jr. is down to 8️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’0 190 RB from Santa Clarita, CA is ranked as the No. 4 RB in the ‘26 Class (per On3)

Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/OPWLcGwMwK pic.twitter.com/qxt8XRg9S2

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 25, 2025

Bonner is described as a “high-ceiling player” with NFL upside. He’s been clocked running the 100-meter dash in 10.65 seconds and as a sophomore, had over 500 rushing yards, in addition to nearly 500 receiving yards.

Just imagine that dude playing alongside Dylan Raiola. Even if it was just for a season. Nebraska football hasn’t had a running back like that, a true weapon as a runner and receiver since Ameer Abdullah.

Jamarion Parker was a big-time get at running back in the 2025 class. Conor Booth will also prove to be underrated but it would be nice to land a top-100 running back like Bonner.

Where does Nebraska football stand with Brian Bonner?

The elite running back has already visited Lincoln twice, including just this winter. Head coach Matt Rhule and Nebraska football coaches also visited him in California in late January.

Interestingly, USC isn’t involved in this recruitment. Georgia, Nebraska, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State are all listed as “warm” on his 247 Sports profile. UCLA is the leader according to the On3 prediction machine. He’s visited the Bruins three times.

Penn State is getting a spring visit according to a recent report. It will be interesting to see if Nebraska football can get him back during the spring, plus maybe an official visit during the summer.

The Huskers are second according to the prediction machine, so this recruitment feels very winnable, especially if Nebraska can get Bonner back to Lincoln another time or two.

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