Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers, Ole Miss Football Offer Prized Penn State Nittany Lions Commit
Taylor (Penn.) Riverside three-star defensive lineman Tavian Branch has emerged as a hot prospect in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle as the December Early Signing Period nears.
Branch, a Top-50 defensive lineman in America, revealed a commitment to James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions in September after flipping his pledge from Rutgers.
Now, following the news of Franklin and Penn State parting ways, the 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is re-evaluating his options with multiple schools in pursuit.
Branch remains committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions, but is re-evaluating options with the current coaching situation.
Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels are in pursuit with the program extending an offer to the Pennsylvania native this week.
“At this time, I am still committed to Penn State. However, due to the recent changes and uncertainty, I have decided to re-open my recruitment,” Branch wrote via X.
Blessed To Receive An Offer From Ole Miss University #28 @OleMissFB @wesyerty24 @SWiltfong_ @adamgorney @TomLoy247 pic.twitter.com/rZ44S6gLKl
— Tavian Branch (@BranchTavian) October 13, 2025
Following the news of Franklin’s departure with the Nittany Lions, Branch has reeled in offers from both Ole Miss and the Nebraska Cornhuskers as programs keep tabs on the talented defender in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.
“I am in disbelief,” Branch told The Citizen’s Voice. “I understand that this is part of the business. I am going to talk to my family about some things. I need some time to think about this.”
Now, Ole Miss is in on the action with Branch already planning a visit to Oxford to soak in the scenes of a game day visit, he told Rivals.
McKeesport (Penn.) five-star running back Kemon Spell is back on the market after reopening his recruitment this week following James Franklin being relieved of his duties at Penn State.
Spell, the No. 1 running back in the 2027 Recruiting Cycle, revealed a commitment to Franklin and the Nittany Lions in August [2024] following an unofficial visit to campus.
After being pledged to the hometown program for over a year, Spell has now made the decision to reopen his process with Penn State in search of a new head coach of the program.
“Coach Franklin played a huge role in my recruitment and me being committed,” Spell told Rivals when asked about the situation. “Just sucks to see him leave.”
Since backing off of his commitment, Spell has become the hottest name on the market with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Oregon Ducks, among others, entering the race.
Now, add Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels to the offer sheet after making the call late Tuesday night for the top-ranked running back in America.
The 5-foot-9, 205-pounder will be in South Bend this weekend on an unofficial visit with the Notre Dame program as Marcus Freeman and Co. turn up the heat for the elite running back.
But the Ole Miss Rebels are now getting in the race with a scholarship now on the table for one of the highest-rated prospects available.
Spell has cruised up the recruiting rankings with multiple evaluators providing lofty praise for the No. 1 running back in America.
Ole Miss Football, Oklahoma Sooners and Ohio State Buckeyes Headline CFP Projections
The Early Betting Lines: Ole Miss Football vs. Georgia Bulldogs in Week 8 Matchup
Ole Miss Football vs. Georgia Bulldogs: ESPN College GameDay Heading to Athens
Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.
Nebraska Game and Parks is offering residents a chance to win prizes simply for getting outside and moving, as part of a challenge honoring America’s 250th birthday.
The Outdoor Nebraska 250-Mile Challenge invites participants to log miles through activities like walking, running, kayaking, horseback riding and more using any fitness app. The goal is to reach 250 miles before the end of the year. Once completed, participants fill out a form on the Nebraska Game and Parks website to become eligible for prizes.
Mike Selman, a regular walker at Zorinsky Lake, said the challenge caught his attention.
“I think it’s great, as long as you put in the time and effort,” Selman said.
Selman said getting outdoors is already a big part of his routine.
“I absolutely love it, I love being outdoors, just the beauty, the nature, the trees, the water,” Selman said.
He said one of his favorite aspects of the challenge is the opportunity to explore Nebraska’s many outdoor spaces.
“Especially here, around Zorinsky, Standing Bear, Flanagan, you got great opportunities and great places to go,” Selman said.
When asked if he planned to submit his miles, Selman did not hesitate.
“I’ll definitely think about it, most definitely,” Selman said.
Between Memorial Day and the end of the year, logging just over 1 mile a day would be enough to reach the 250-mile goal and qualify for prizes.
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We’ll have to wait a bit longer to get into the Cowgirls’ Super Regional.
A rainy night in Lincoln meant the teams only managed to get four outs into the Super between Oklahoma State and Nebraska. The game is tied at 0. The weather delay lasted about two hours before they called it.
The game will resume at 4 p.m. Friday and be televised on ESPN2. They will not play another game Friday, as Game 2 will now take place at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Nebraska football team added its third 2027 offensive line commitment and addition from the state of Georgia on Wednesday.
Loganville (Ga.) Grayson offensive lineman KD Jones officially announced his commitment to NU this week. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Jones picked the Huskers over Georgia Tech, Auburn, Kentucky and Virginia Tech. He visited Lincoln on May 6 and is scheduled to take his official visit to Nebraska on June 6.
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The Huskers first offered Jones in April, after offensive line coach Geep Wade had previously been recruiting him at Georgia Tech.
“Coach Wade called me and offered me today,” Jones told HuskerOnline on Apr. 25. “He has been on me for a long time, ever since he was at Tech. So his interest wasn’t anything new to me. He came to watch me train at school and was amazed. He offered the next day.”
Jones joins safety Corey Hadley from the state of Georgia in NU’s 2027 recruiting class.
“I knew nothing about Nebraska before the offer,” Jones said in April. But now that Coach Wade and Coach (Lonnie) Teasley are there, I know I can trust them.”
Jones had planned to take official visits to all the schools recruiting him, but his early commitment to NU appears to have shut down those visits.
He jones Omaha (Neb.) Millard North’s Matt Erickson and fellow Grayson product Jordan Agbanoma are the other offensive linemen in the Huskers’ 2027 recruiting class. He’s now the 10th commitment in Nebraska’s class of 2027.
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