Fong write up:
Recruits gushing about big weekend at Nebraska
by:Steve Wiltfong•9 minutes•
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and his staff and players, particularly true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, rolled out the red carpet this week for the On3 Industry’s top-ranked offensive tackle
David Sanders Jr. during his return visit to Lincoln.
“Never seen anything like that,” a source said about Sanders arrival. The Nebraska faithful were waiting to applaud the country’s No. 2 overall recruit as he and his family pulled up.
But Sanders wasn’t the only prospect in Lincoln these past two days that felt the love.
Rhule and the Huskers are building momentum on the trail and the energy around the football team resonated with these coveted recruits that were in town.
Working a flip
As Nebraska is in the middle of it for Sanders alongside Tennessee, Ohio State and Georgia, they’re also right there to flip On3 Industry four-star receiver
Isaiah Mozee from Oregon. Since giving a verbal to the Ducks in April, the Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North blue-chipper has been to Nebraska a couple times. He took his official in June and is wrapping up his latest experience now.
“It was good,” Mozee said. “Always a great family environment when I go down there!”
It’s a literal family environment now. Mozee’s father Jamar recently joined the Nebraska staff this month as a senior football assistant after previously taking a position at UCF. The elder Mozee was his son’s head coach the first three seasons of his prep career.
Nebraska has always been in the mix for Mozee. Several other things catch his eye.
“Just being around everybody was fun to me,” Mozee said. “I have been there eight times so great relationships with all the people up there.”
Raiola was working on Mozee as well.
“Great opportunity and it would be great to play with Dylan!” Mozee said.
He just might. Mozee now has to continue weighing Nebraska and Oregon against each other.
“Talk with my fam and to God and see what the future beholds,” Mozee said.
Impressing a legacy
Buford (Ga.) High 2026 quarterback
Dayton Raiola was back on campus. In addition to spending time with his brother, his older sister Taylor now works in the football recruiting department after graduating from TCU where she played volleyball.
The Huskers lead for the younger Raiola who camped for Rhule and his staff earlier this summer. His uncle Donovan is also the offensive line coach and his father Dominic is one of the best to ever wear a Nebraska uniform and won the Rimington Award (given to college football’s best center) prior to a long career in the NFL.
“Felt great to be back on campus again!” Dayton said. “Every time I go there the motto doesn’t change from anybody especially the coaches! Got to spend some good time with Isaiah Mozee too and he was awesome to be around. It was a fun little trip, did a scavenger hunt but also got to talk some ball.
“Overall it was an amazing time back being with blood family and extended family coaches, players, etc. Also it was fun being told what to do by my sister since she’s the general manager of recruiting there.”
The reviews came in strong from just about everybody else.
Nebraska at or near the top for several others
Windsor (Colo.) High 2026 offensive tackle
Deacon Schmitt saw his recruitment take off this summer beginning with an offer from Nebraska. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State quickly followed.
“I had an awesome time at Nebraska today!” Schmitt said. “It was like a fun little family hangout/get together! We had tons of fun! We toured the place and had lunch. Then we got into teams and did a scavenger hunt and “Husker Olympics”. My team did really good in the 3 v 3 volleyball tournament. I knew we were going to dominate the volleyball tournament! Overall it was just a great time! We ended the day with a little water balloon fight!! Awesome time!”
Manhattan (Kan.) High safety
James Dunnigan Jr. received his Nebraska offer after camp in June.
“Ny visit to Nebraska was extremely fun,” Dunnigan said. “The biggest highlights for me was getting to sit down with my position coach and build that relationship but also the water balloon fight at the end. To go home on a good note even though I was soaked. I think Coach Rhule is doing something great with the program.”
Omaha (Neb.) Millard South 2026 teammates in tight end
Isaac Jensen and receiver
DaShawn Prince both have early offers from the Huskers.
“The visit was a great experience in all,” Jensen said. “Building relationships with coaches is one of the biggest things for me in making a decision and today everyone was welcoming and showed great hospitality. I liked that today instead of it being about football we did activities that had nothing to do with football. We had a three-point contest, long drive contest, and a home run derby which made it really fun. I had a great time and I had great conversations with the staff.”
Brandon (SD) Valley offensive lineman
Hudson Parliament is an explosive two-way point of attack player on the prep level the Huskers are pushing hard for. He was one of the top targets on campus regardless of position and grade.
“I had a great time today in Lincoln!” Parliament said. “Coach Rhule challenged me to an arm wrestling contest. I spared him this time. I enjoyed spending time with Coach Raiola and building our relationship. Husker Olympics was really fun too. I also got to see more of the facilities that I haven’t seen before.”
Nebraska was the second program to offer St. Louis (Mo.) University safety
Keenan Harris with Keith Williams long leading the charge for the Huskers.
“The visit was really good!” Harris said. “The new building and all the new facilities. And just being able to talk to the coaches is always good and being around for my third or fourth time. I really like it up there!”
Elkhorn (Neb.) North’s
Jase Reynolds is a linebacker target that earned an offer in camp in June.
“I thought the visit was great!” Reynolds said. “The coaches did a great job on emphasizing building personal relationships throughout the whole day. I was able to meet plenty of other recruits who were all great guys. Touring the facilities and campus was also a good time, It was cool to see the whole school. I also really enjoyed how they had us competing through sports challenges. Overall it was an amazing visit and I can’t wait to come back soon for a game!”
Omaha (Neb.) Millard West 2027 offensive tackle
Matt Erickson was offered by Nebraska in June. The Huskers will be hard to beat for the legacy recruit and the On3 RPM already reflects that.
“Today went really well!” Erickson said. “It was a lot of fun and great to get to meet other recruits and have more one on one time with the coaches. We did a lot of fun team bonding type activities. My team won so that made it better! I got to meet some of the current OL guys that I haven’t gotten to meet yet. Talking with Dylan Raiola was a highlight also since my dad played with his dad.
“Overall it was a really great experience and I’m looking forward to going to quite a few games this fall.”
Jenks (Okla.) High 2027 safety
Semaj Stanford saw his latest offer come from Nebraska.
“The visit was amazing,” Stanford said. “The facilities was amazing, and more important the coaches were amazing. They made me feel like I was at home. All the coaches knew me so it felt like I mattered and they took time to recruit me.”
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