2025 Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt has flipped his commitment from Alabama to Nebraska.

The athletic, instinctive defender is siding with the Huskers over offers from Michigan, Oklahoma and Missouri, in addition to the Crimson Tide.

The four-star’s initial decision in June came down to the Huskers and Crimson Tide, and he initially sided with Kalen DeBoer’s program after taking official visits to both programs in April and June, respectively. Nebraska didn’t give up, linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek maintained communication, as did Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Tony White. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola even played a role, as the Raiola family and the Merritt family bonded during the four-star’s official visit in April.

Merritt, who had largely halted his recruitment, made a somewhat surprising unofficial visit to watch the Huskers beat Colorado 28-10 in September. Rhule and Dvoracek returned the favor and went to see him and his Blue Valley team play against Blue Valley Northwest during Nebraska’s bye week in October.

Ultimately, it’s his belief in the program Rhule is building, the appeal of playing in defense of Tony White and his relationship with Dvoracek that won him over.

“I would say he’s the guy I talk to the most, we have a great relationship,” he previously told Inside Nebraska of his relationship with linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek. “We talk on the phone several times a week. Outside of football we have a good relationship. We can talk about anything.”

Relationships were crucial in Merritt’s landing in Nebraska. And no program did a better job of building multiple relationships, from coaches to off-field staff to current players and recruits, than the Huskers.

“My main thing is that I’m a very relational guy. The more people I talk to, the more people I feel comfortable with, the more I feel wanted and the more I feel like I feel at home and comfortable,” he said. “At Nebraska, that’s exactly what I get. “I have relationships with – I couldn’t even name all the guys I have a really solid relationship with at Nebraska.”

The ability to contribute early at Nebraska was a selling point for Rhule and Co., seeing White’s defense in action this season, especially the development of John Bullock, only helped.

“Coach Rhule has been trying to figure out how I can come into freshman year and get some good playing time,” he said. “Obviously he’s not promising me anything, but Coach White’s defense has looked really good to start the season, so that’s what he really wants to tell me.”

The son of Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach David Merritt, Merritt initially pursued basketball over football, but gave football a try in high school and found success. He broke out as a junior, recording 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles.

The four-star is the 20th commit in Nebraska’s 2025 class and the third linebacker commit, joining four-star in-state standout Christian Jones and three-star in-state standout Pierce Mooberry in Dvoracek’s position room.