It’s no secret edge rushers were a priority target for the Husker in 2027. As of now they have one commit in the class, and they had to flip him from Minnesota. Ma’ateo Moe, who is 6’3” 245-pounds was a big get for the Huskers. Prior to Moe they had struck out on landing edge players. Rhule and his staff would have liked to have added two if not three players at the position.
That may sound extreme, but the nine edge players listed on the Husker’s roster aren’t all ideally built to play the position. With the Huskes switching from the 3-3-5 to the 4-2-5, players that were previously linebackers or defensive lineman are now listed at Edge. That’s not to say they can’t excel at the position. It’s just that they weren’t all recruited to play there. Here are some examples, and let me clarify, I’m not singling anyone out. Again, the players I’m listing may very well set the world on fire.
Willis McGahee – 6’1”, 240-pounds, played linebacker last season. Small for an edge player but has shown the ability for getting to the quarterback.
Mac Markway – 6’4”, 250-pounds, played tight end the last two seasons. Switched to defensive end due to reoccurring injures.
Jordan Ochoa – 6’4”, 240-pounds, played linebacker last season. Has potential but must learn to use leverage and the nuances of the position.
Conner Connealy – 6’4”, 260-pounds, played on the defensive line last season.
Ethan Duda – 6’5”, 250-pounds, played at the linebacker position last season.
The next four guys are built more like true edge players and are what coach Roy Manning is looking for. And more than likely the top four on the depth chart.
Anthony Jones Jr. – 6’5”, 265-ponds, transferred to Nebraska from UCLA. True edge player.
Willimas Nwaneri – 6’7”, 265-pounds, has been at Nebraska for two seasons after transferring from Missouri. Perhaps the most talented edge player on the roster but has yet to display his full potential.
Kade Piettrzak – 6’5”, 265-pounds, a player to get excited about, flashed as a true freshman last season. Now with coaching, he’s set to break out.
Cam Lenhardt – 6’3”, 270-pounds, the most experienced guy at the position. This will be his fourth season. He’s played in 36 games with 13 starts. Another player who will benefit from coaching.
So, why am I diving so deep into edge players? One, because there is speculation Nebraska will target an edge player or two that is already committed elsewhere for 2027 and try to flip them before signing day. And two, the Husker just offered 2028 Texas A&M edge commit Chance Archangel trying to flip him.
Archangel committed to Texas A&M on June 2. The Huskers offered him on June 28th. It’s hard to imagine the Huskers offering without feeling like there is a chance of flipping him. And being a 2028 commit, the Huskers have plenty of time getting him on campus for a visit and staying in his ear.
Archangel is a 6’3”, 230-pound 4-Star from New Iberia, Louisiana. He is ranked 244th nationally, No. 24 at his position, and No, 6 in the state of Louisiana. The Huskers have been on a recruiting hot streak and looking to flip fellow Louisianian Ahmad Hudson. And while 5-Star IOL Albert Simien, who is also from Louisiana, didn’t commit to the Huskers, he visited Lincoln five times. The pair gave Nebraska strong consideration, and Hudson still is. That will bode well with Archangel and if he is acquainted with Hudson and Simien, which I’ll guess he is, he’ll get honest feedback from the pair on what Nebraska is all about.
Flipping Archangel won’t be an easy feat. However, Texas A&M currently has the No.1 ranked class in the 2027 cycle, and that may work against them. They have three edge commits in the class, 5-Star Zyron Forstall ranked 27th nationally, 4-Star Frederick Ards III ranked 62nd nationally, and 4-Star Kaden McCarty ranked 191st nationally. That’s stiff competition and playing time for Archangel could be limited. That’s not to say you want someone who shies away from competition, but he has more value at Nebraska and they covet him more than A&M.
With the Huskers and edge coach Roy Manning missing out on landing edge players in the 2027 cycle it only makes sense that they get a jump on 2028. But until then, the Huskers need to refine their flip game, starting with another 2027 edge player, then Ahmad Hudson, which I believe will happen, and finally Chance Archangel. If they can make that happen, they’ll be kings of the flip and villains of the college football world.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Photos courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home – Falls City Journal – Falls City, NE
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