A look at the key targets before singing day in Nebraska's 2023 class
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Decisions to know and recruits to watch for Nebraska ahead of National Signing Day
The early signing period begins in just a couple days and the Huskers are suddenly in the mix for more than a dozen potential additions over the next 72 hours – and in some cases into January. Nebraska has been hard at work, as the Cornhuskers have hosted more than 30 recruits since the second weekend of the month and the staff has added a number of commitments.
What’s left? Who are the names to know? Who could the Huskers land? What positions seem to have generated the most interest so far?
These are all questions everyone wants answers to, so let us take a look at the key names, most of whom have been on campus or have connections with the staff as it's assembled. Here are the names to know as the Huskers look to finish up the 2023 recruiting class with high school players and transfer portal additions alike.
CHIEF BORDERS, LINEBACKER, FLORIDA TRANSFER
(Photo: Courtney Culbreath/ UAA Communications)
Nebraska hosted this Florida linebacker over the weekend, and appear to be in good shape to pick up a commitment as he looks for his next team. Borders, at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, has great size and could be a nice piece in a defense expected to give opposing teams multiple looks.
VINCENT CARROLL-JACKSON, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN, SYRACUSE COMMIT
Nebraska is after this Syracuse commitment and Tony White could utilize him along a defensive front the Huskers have to rebuild after several previous recruiting misses and some lack of development from previous coaches.
UPDATE: He said he will announce his decision mid-afternoon Wednesday.
MALACHI COLEMAN, ATHLETE, LINCOLN EAST
(Photo: 247Sports)
The highest rated in-state recruit remains undecided after backing off his Nebraska pledge following the coaching change. Coleman could wait until February. He could sign on Wednesday.
The Colemans are coming off a trip to Colorado and got to experience new Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders and discuss his vision for the team moving forward. Could seeing another school make it easier to decide if he wants to stay in Lincoln?
AJANI CORNELIUS, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, RHODE ISLAND
(Photo: University of Rhode Island, gorhody.com)
The biggest name on the list. The biggest need inside the program. Nebraska was among the first to offer Cornelius, but others immediately followed. Nebraska got him out for a visit, but will that be enough with Ohio State, Oregon and Tennessee all hanging around?
Cornelius is deciding on Wednesday, although unlike high school or junior college recruits there’s no signing for transfer portal players.
ERIC FIELDS, LINEBACKER, ARDMORE
A surprise name to pop up on the visit list, Fields is no surprise to a staff that has recruited him for a few weeks and see the linebacker as an absolute find in the recruiting landscape.
Nebraska hit it off with Fields and a commitment could come as early as Monday.
MASON GOLDMAN, LINEMAN, GRETNA
(Photo: Michael Bruntz, 247Sports)
Another in-state player who could add to the three already on the board and expected to help along the offensive line. Goldman has spent the last couple weekends with Nebraska’s staff and appears to be leaning hard in this direction.
Goldman is expecting to make a decision this week and wrap up his recruitment. Other teams that have had his attention have been Kansas State and Vanderbilt.
MALIK HORNSBY, QUARTERBACK, ARKANSAS TRANSFER
(Photo: Nelson Chenault, USA TODAY Sports)
It’ll be interesting to see what Hornsby chooses to do. There could be more visits on the way and with the Huskers having added Jeff Sims, it might be worth it for Hornsby to consider other schools since he’d likely fall behind Sims immediately on a depth chart.
Hornsby’s athleticism have the Huskers looking at him as a potential offensive athlete. That’s really intriguing but every indication is he wants to get a shot at quarterback.
BARRY JACKSON, RECEIVER, NEBRASKA COMMIT
The only Nebraska commit on the list, Jackson did take a trip to Cincinnati and the staff there is the same that was recruiting him to Louisville.
Could those things and the lack of Mickey Joseph make a long time commit change his mind this week? We’re watching it.
KYRON JONES, ATHLETE, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN
(Photo: Michael Clark, 247Sports)
A running back for NC State and Nebraska and a defensive back for Georgia, this has some strong Ameer Abdullah vibes for that reason.
It doesn’t seem like staying at NC State is the most likely outcome though it is possible, so if he’s choosing between the Huskers and the Bulldogs that’s kind of unique and sets up a decision between offense or defense.
JASON MACIEJCZAK, LINEMAN, NORTH DAKOTA COMMIT
Nebraska really likes the film of this North Dakota commit from South Dakota’s capital city, but are the Huskers too late since a snow storm kept Maciejczak home over the weekend.
Nebraska has kept pushing and a decision is expected on Monday afternoon. The Huskers could see him on either side of the ball.
UPDATE: Nebraska lands the commitment.
ANDREW METZGER, TIGHT END, REGIS JESUIT
(Photo: Jimmie Searfoss, 247Sports)
Nebraska recently lost Metzger’s teammate and former Huskers commit Hayden Moore to Michigan. But can they close out on a tight end after losing Ben Brahmer to Iowa State?
Kansas State is in the mix. And there’s a couple crystal ball predictions pointing that direction following a weekend visit. Huskers could use some help at tight end.
UPDATE: Kansas State lands the commitment.
ETHAN NATION, DEFENSIVE BACK, ROSWELL
(Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)
No one found out about a visit and made it to the airport faster than Nation, who found out late in the week Nebraska would bring him in and he made it to see what Lincoln had to offer.
Nation plans to commit at the Under Armour All-American game after the signing period and will sign in February. Nebraska is involved, but may not end up with the recruit.
BENI NGOYI, ATHLETE, IOWA STATE COMMIT
(Photo: Michael Bruntz, 247Sports)
This local product has popped up on visits lists during the season, but things were clearly serious when he showed up on the final weekend before a decision is needed to take an official visit.
Ngoyi told Husker247 that he feels good about Iowa State, but he left the door open for Nebraska and Matt Rhule and company have been aggressive in trying to show there’s no reason to leave town. Ngoyi is planning a Wednesday afternoon decision.
BEN SCOTT, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, ARIZONA STATE TRANSFER
Another offensive lineman, Scott visited Nebraska a weekend ago, and the Huskers are in good position because of a previous relationship to Donovan Raiola the offensive line coach.
Still Scott, who started the last two years for the Sun Devils, made a trip out to UCLA and that’s the primary concern for the Huskers, who badly need to find offensive line help.
PRINCEWILL UMANMIELEN, EDGE, MANOR
(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
The most interesting high school recruit outside of Nebraska that the Huskers have pursued, Umanmielen is very familiar with Rhule because the coach tried to bring his middle brother to Baylor.
24COMMENTS
Now the Huskers are trying to add the youngest to Nebraska and appear to be in strong shape. Kansas State might be the biggest competition and with Umanmielen rumored to be deciding this week now, the Huskers are sitting well after an official visit.
UPDATE: Nebraska lands the commitment.