The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Stillwell, Kansas, had been committed to the Crimson Tide and coach Kalen DeBoer since June 26, with outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson listed as his primary recruiter. The 247Sports Composite has Merritt listed as the No. 4 prospect in Kansas in the class of 2025 and as the No. 13 linebacker in the cycle. Merritt is ranked 116th nationally.

Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the country before Merritt withdrew. There are three other linebackers in the class: Darrell Johnson, Luke Metz and Abduall Sanders Jr.

Merritt becomes the 20th entrant into Nebraska’s 2025 class, which was ranked No. 27 in the nation before its turnaround, according to the 247Sports Composite. Merritt concluded his Blue Valley High School football career with a 48-22 loss on Nov. 1 in the first round of the 5A KSHSAA playoffs.