Nebraska originally lost on a commitment to Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley four-star EDGE Dawson Merritt in June, as the Kansas City metro prospectus promised Alabama.

However, the Cornhuskers never wavered in their pursuit of the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder.

After keeping my foot on the accelerator and bringing the blue-chipper back to Lincoln this fall, head coach Matt Rhule and Nebraska’s staff signed Merritt from the Crimson Tide on Thursday.

“I want to be part of building something,” Merritt told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I think Nebraska has a bright future and I think it would be really cool to be a part of turning that program around. Then I have great relationships there… I have almost ten guys in Nebraska. I can’t match that. I feel loved and I love a lot of those guys.

Merritt, the No. 115 overall prospect and No. 14 EDGE in the On3 Industry Rankingis now the highest-ranked commit in Nebraska’s 2025 recruiting class. With the addition of Merritt, the Huskers jumped five spots in the On3 industry team recruitment rankings and now have the No. 19 class in the nation.

Nebraska continues to maintain its defensive prospects

The Huskers now have four blue-chip commits on the defensive side of the ball this cycle.

Merritt, who was also considered a linebacker prospect during his recruitment, joins Omaha (Neb.) Westside four-star LB Christian Jones at the top of the class. Jones, who committed in September, is one of the top 250 recruits and is the No. 1 player in Nebraska this cycle. Jones is one of six in-state commits in the class.

In June, Galveston (Texas) signed Hitchcock as a four-star defensive lineman Malcolm Simpson committed, causing a shock to the top of the class. Simpson is a defensive standout in the Lone Star State and a standout in the On300. He is a top-200 recruit and top-20 player at his position. Just over a month later, he was joined by West Fargo (ND) Cheyenne four-star DL Quay Pietrzakanother On300 standout who checks in as the No. 1 player in North Dakota.

Merritt is the second defensive signing from the Sunflower State for the Huskers this fall. On Oct. 20, Olathe (Kan.) South three-star DL Juju Brands turned over from the state of Kansas. Both Merritt and Marks are top-10 players in the state.

Offensive highlights include a blue-chip QB and WR

There is also some firepower on the offensive side of the ball in Nebraska’s class. In May, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran four-star quarterback TJ Lateef has made his commitment and is now the No. 25 QB in the class.

‘Nebraska made me feel wanted’ Lateef told On3. “The communication with the coaches has been intensive since they offered me and they have been very consistent. My biggest thing was always going where I wanted, and before the official visit they made me feel wanted, and during the official visit they checked all the boxes.

The top offensive effort in the class was also reversed, as Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North four-star wide receiver Isaiah Mozee joined the herd in early August, from Oregon. Mozee’s father, Jamar, is now on the Nebraska coaching staff. Isaiah is a top-35 player at his position and the No. 3 player in the Show-Me State.

In the summer there were also commitments from the three-star athlete Murray (Ky). Jeremiah Jones and Saint Louis Cardinal Ritter three-star running back Jamarion Parker. Both are among the top 10 recruits in their respective home states.