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Bruce Feldman picks surprise Big Ten team in 2024

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Bruce Feldman picks surprise Big Ten team in 2024


The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman picked Nebraska as the Big Ten’s surprise team in 2024, in what will be a new-look conference.

The first year under Matt Rhule had its bumps and bruises, but the Huskers knew this could be the right way to rebuild the program. Rhule’s done it before at Temple and Baylor.

That’s why Feldman is confident in Year 2 with the pieces acquired in the portal and recruiting.

“Keep an eye on Nebraska,” Feldman said on The Herd. “You know, like Matt Rhule struggles in his first (year at a place) and then he gets it going. Dylan Raiola is super talented freshman quarterback. He’s a legacy kid. And when I say kid he does not look like a kid … He was committed to Georgia, was committed to Ohio State, ends up kind of going home where he has family ties at Nebraska. Very talented.”

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Raiola is the projected starter as a true freshman, although Rhule wants the competition to play out.

“Obviously, I’d like it before game week,” Rhule said. “What I don’t want to do is name someone the starter and then have second thoughts a couple weeks later. It’s like I tell guys in recruiting – take all your visits if you have to because when you commit to us, we want you here for four years, not just four weeks. It’s the same thing with this. 

“We’ll let them play it out and let them show off all the work they did this summer and see where we are.”

The Nebraska quarterback competition is certainly one to watch, but Feldman pointed out a terrific defense that could surprise this fall. That’s led by the defensive line of Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher and Jimari Butler.

“The other thing that was big for them is, you know, Texas last year, people couldn’t run on them very well,” Feldman said. “They had two great defensive tackles. Nebraska actually has, potentially, the best interior defensive tackle combination in the country. I mean, they have two studs in the middle of the defense, they’re gonna be physical. 

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“I don’t think they have a ton of firepower, but I think they’ll be much better, a bunch of games that’ll (be) close. I feel like they’re a team that has a chance to sneak into the top 25.”

There’s a collection of talent for Nebraska to steadily improve in 2024. Maybe the Huskers aren’t a big secret anymore.



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"They've Built This": Nebraska commit Barrett Kitrell carries on family football legacy

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"They've Built This": Nebraska commit Barrett Kitrell carries on family football legacy


Nebraska commit Barrett Kitrell grew up watching his four older brothers and his father play at the Division I level. Now, the Ashland-Greenwood standout is preparing to write the next chapter of his family’s remarkable football legacy.



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Former OSU, Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari arrested after police pursuit in Nebraska

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Former OSU, Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari arrested after police pursuit in Nebraska


Former Oklahoma State and Nebraska Cornhuskers wrestler Albert “AJ” Ferrari was arrested in Nebraska after leading officers on a police pursuit on Friday night.

According to a report from the Nebraska State Patrol, a trooper attempted a traffic stop after noticing a driver speeding on Interstate 80 near North Platte at mile marker 176, later identified as Ferrari.

The NPS trooper followed Ferrari as he exited at mile marker 179 heading northbound on Highway 30.

The trooper clocked Ferrari’s vehicle, a Chevrolet Corvette, traveling over 110 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone.

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During an attempted traffic stop, Ferrari refused to stop and fled westbound, leading to a pursuit. After several miles, Ferrari stopped his car and fled on foot.

Officers found identifying information in the vehicle. Ferrari was found the next morning by authorities.

Ferrari was booked into Lincoln County Jail for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and obstruction.

In 2022, Ferrari left the Oklahoma State Wrestling program following an investigation by the Stillwater Police after a woman accused Ferrari of sexual assault.

Charges against Ferrari were later dismissed by the Payne County District Court.

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Five-Star Forward Dawson Battie Returning to Nebraska for Official Visit

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Five-Star Forward Dawson Battie Returning to Nebraska for Official Visit


One of the nation’s top forwards is giving Nebraska another look.

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First reported by Robin Washut of HuskerOnline, the Big Red have secured an official visit from the No. 13 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class. Dawson Battie of St. Mark’s High School in Dallas, Texas, will visit Lincoln for the third time overall during the weekend of Oct. 9.

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Battie, a five-star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, first traveled to campus in August of 2025 before returning to watch the Huskers take on then-No. 9 Illinois in February. Despite Nebraska’s nine-point loss, the visit left a lasting impression, and the Huskers have remained among his top schools. They’ll now get another opportunity to strengthen their position this fall.

Here’s the latest on Battie’s recruitment, including where Nebraska stands and why the Huskers feel confident about their chances leading down the final stretch until the early signing period in November.

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Battie’s Other Top Schools

The composite five-star has no shortage of Division I offers. Battie holds 23 in total, with Nebraska, SMU, Texas, Kentucky, and Kansas appearing to be among the top on his list.

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The Huskers were one of the first Power Conference programs to offer the Dallas native, extending one in October of 2024. Since then, Battie’s recruitment has taken off, but Nebraska has remained within striking distance.

To date, Battie has visited SMU three times, Nebraska twice, and both Texas and Kentucky once. He also has official visits scheduled this fall to Texas A&M, Houston, SMU, and Virginia before announcing his college decision.

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NU’s 2027 Recruiting Class to Date

Nebraska currently has one commitment in its 2027 recruiting class: Ty Schlagel. The 6-foot-5 rising senior from Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota, is ranked No. 107 nationally in the 247Sports Composite.

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The four-star recruit committed to the Huskers last October over fellow Big Ten programs such as Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He quickly developed a strong relationship with Fred Hoiberg’s staff and has remained committed ever since.

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NU is expected to add at least one or two more high school prospects to the class, making Battie one of the program’s biggest remaining targets left on the board.

Other 2027 Prospects Who Have Visited Lincoln in 2026:

  1. Mathias Alessanco- Forward (★★★★)
  2. Ryan Hampton- Shooting Guard (★★★★★)
  3. Chase Richardson- Point Guard (★★★★)

All 2027 Prospects Nebraska Has Offered

Nebraska has extended offers to 13 prospects in the 2027 class, with most of them being forwards. Battie is one of the two five-stars on this list.

Dooney Johnson (Gonzaga), Jack Kohnen (Iowa State), London Dada (Creighton), Donovan Davis (Iowa State), Chase Richardson (Texas A&M), Jalen Brown (Wisconsin), Ryan Hampton (Kentucky), and Mathias Alessanco (South Carolina) are committed to other schools.

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Remaining uncommitted targets include Battie, Eden Vinyard, Isaiah Mack-Russel, and Cherif Millogo. They could also work to flip targets closer to signing day, though with the 5-for-5 eligibility rules passing earlier this week, the Huskers have several players on their current roster who have gained an additional year.

  1. Mathias Alessanco- Forward (★★★★)
  2. Dawson Battie- Forward (★★★★★)
  3. Eden Vinyard- Forward (★★★★)
  4. Ty Schlagel- Forward (★★★★)
  5. Donovan Davis- Forward (★★★★)
  6. Jack Kohnen- Forward (★★★★)
  7. London Dada- Forward (★★★)
  8. Isaiah Mack-Russel- Forward (★★★)
  9. Chase Richardson- Point Guard (★★★★)
  10. Dooney Johnson- Point Guard (★★★★)
  11. Jalen Brown- Shooting Guard (★★★★)
  12. Ryan Hampton- Shooting Guard (★★★★★)
  13. Cherif Millogo- Center (★★★★)

What Happens Next?

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Nebraska’s staff has plenty of reason to feel optimistic. Not only have the Huskers remained contenders throughout Battie’s recruitment, but they’ll also get another opportunity to host him before the early signing period in November.

Several high-profile programs remain near the top, but a strong start to the 2026-27 season against Providence and Boise State could further strengthen NU’s pitch. While NIL will undoubtedly play a role, Battie’s recruitment appears to be centered on relationships, player development, and overall fit.

If the Huskers can check those boxes, they’ll have a real shot. Battie has the talent to start as a true freshman, and wherever he signs, he’ll likely have an opportunity to contribute right away. Landing him would give Nebraska the highest-ranked recruit in program history, making it easy to understand why Hoiberg and his staff aren’t backing down from the fight.

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