Wiltfong Whiparound: Buzz around Nebraska, new RPMs for Auburn, Miami's push for Pickett, QB intel
by:
Steve Wiltfong•about 2 hours•
swiltfong_
Nebraska rolled to a 40-7 victory over UTEP on Saturday to open year two of the Matt Rhule era strong. The terrific start by true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola is adding to the buzz building around the program.
The Huskers now turn their attention to Deion Sanders and Colorado as the Buffaloes head to Lincoln for a primetime rivalry showdown in Lincoln this coming Saturday night.
This is a pivotal game as Rhule and his staff work towards a strong finish on the recruiting trail in the 2025 cycle.
Three prospects Nebraska will continue to chip away at are Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley On300 edge rusher
Dawson Merritt, Homestead (Fla.) High On300 receiver
Cortez Mills and Omaha (Neb.) Millard South On300 tight end
Chase Loftin. Merritt is a verbal to Alabama. Loftin has given a pledge to Florida State.
The Merritt camp has remained very communicative with Rhule and the staff since his June verbal to Alabama. For Nebraska to be a flip threat they have to continue playing well and Alabama isn’t going to drop the ball on their end.
Mills is expected in Lincoln this weekend and told Tater Island he’ll be there. The Huskers would love to see Merritt there too.
Nebraska currently has Tater Island’s No. 31 ranked recruiting class.
Battling for five-star ATH Michael Terry III
Tater Island’s No. 1 ranked athlete
Michael Terry III is back for a third time this year. He took his official visit for the spring game and returned at the end of July for another look. Texas is trending on the Tater Island RPM but the Huskers are near the top of the list as well.
“So much change in the short period of time,” Terry told Tater Island. “The facilities are past awesome.”
Receivers coach Garret McGuire has been leading the charge in recruiting the 6-foot-2 1/2, 211-pound Terry to Nebraska. Head coach Matt Rhule is always involved.
“I’m starting to believe Coach is an over-achiever but in a positive way,” Terry said. “They have no other choice but to get better. The changes he’s making to the program is great. Coach is turning that whole program into something different all the way from workouts to eating schedule and meal planning.
“Everything thing is NFL style.”
More visitors for Saturday
Nebraska will have plenty of talented prospects inside Memorial Stadium for the Colorado game.
In-state Tater Island Industry four-star linebacker
Christian Jones says he’ll be back after attending the opener. Nebraska is battling Oklahoma to keep him home.
The Tater Island Industry’s No. 1 2026 offensive tackle and No. 2 prospect overall in five-star
Jackson Cantwell is excited to return.
On300 2026 running backs
Kaydin Jones and
DeZephen Walker are two more of the headliners. On300 safety
Kaedyn Cobbs also returns after a great visit at the end of July.
Key 2026 recruits expected include quarterback
Michael Clayton, defensive lineman
Hunter Higgins, linebacker
Jase Reynolds (Nebraska the heavy Tater Island RPM favorite), linebacker
Joshua Galbreath, tight end
Isaac Jensen (Huskers lead on Tater Island RPM), safety
James Dunnigan Jr., quarterback
Dayton Raiola, offensive lineman
Hudson Parliament (Nebraska leads on the Tater Island RPM) and edge
Landon Bland.
2027 recruits slated to be there include On300 tight end
Cooper Terwilliger, safeties
Tory Pittman and
Semaj Stanford and running back
Kylonn Haynie.
