Nebraska trending for 2027 commitment, eyes transfer RB

Nebraska football just lost a commitment from the 2027 class, but if the latest expert projections are accurate, the Huskers will land a new commitment soon enough.

Jabari Watkins, the four-star wide receiver, de-committed last week. That commitment felt different in that there wasn’t much talk about it. It always felt off.

However, that won’t be the case with three-star running back Xavier Bala, who has been projected to commit to Nebraska football on January 10th, when he is scheduled to announce his decision.

Bala is rated as a four-star prospect via the Rivals Industry Rankings. Yet, the 247 Sports composite rankings have him at No. 409 overall, a three-star in 2027. The 6-foot, 215-pound running back out of Long Island has been projected to land with the Huskers via the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine with predictions from Steve Wiltfong and others. The 247 Sports crystal ball favors the Huskers, too.

Bala had over 1,300 rushing yards in 2025. That was his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. His offer sheet includes teams like Penn State, Alabama, and Ohio State, aa well as regional teams such as Boston College, Syracuse, and UConn.

Nebraska football connected to transfer portal RB

The Huskers need to add a transfer portal running back following the departure of Emmett Johnson to the NFL draft.

One name that has popped up, according to Pete Nakos of On3.com, is former Michigan State running back Makhi Frazier.

Frazier averaged 4.5 yards per attempt last season for Michigan State with 520 rushing yards. He also scored two touchdowns. A former three-star running back recruit out of Texas, Frazier got seven carries for 21 yards playing nine games as a freshman in 2024.

Against Big Ten teams in 2025, Frazier carried the ball 73 times for 314 yards (4.3 average). There might be something there, and it’s at least worth kicking the tires, although if Frazier is added, it would make sense for Nebraska football to bring in another running back, too.

Frazier has untapped potential. And as poor as the Nebraska O-line was last season, it could at least run block. MSU couldn’t do either.

With Jamarion Parker gone, too, the running back room is thinner than you’d like. Adding Frazier would help, although more talent is required, at least if the running game is going to come anywhere close to being as productive as it was in 2025.

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