There was a time – not long ago – when only signing 10 high school prospects in what was allowed to be a 25-player class would be cause for alarm, and be met with screams of outrage by every college football fan base. And at Nebraska, the fan base pays particularly close attention to these kinds of “off season” details.
However, the times and rule changes have made national high school signing day – both the early December date as well as the later February date – far less significant in terms of building a roster. When Matt Rhule and his staff announced the 2026 early signees on Wednesday, the focus was more on quality rather than quantity.
In terms of sheer numbers, Nebraska’s class ranks outside the top 100 for the first time in maybe…forever. Rankings are almost totally based on quantity, so schools like Big Ten rival Minnesota, who signed 32 players, are much higher rated this season. However, in terms of quality, 247 Sports ranks Nebraska’s 10 additions higher in value per player, with a “score” of 88.90. That compares very favorably to the Golden Gophers who came in at 87.57. Wisconsin was at 87.90 and Northwestern at 86.67.
In terms of perceived “quality” of signee, Nebraska comes fifth in the Big 10.
The Shift in Planning is Due to Two New Factors
This shift – for one year – in planning is due to two relatively new factors. First, it’s the expansion of the NCAA’s Transfer Portal, which opens in early January and where many programs are putting most of their resources these days in terms of adding to existing rosters. In the era of the quick fix, the chance to improve your roster significantly and more quickly with experienced players often times beats the idea of stacking solid recruiting classes on top of one another and banking on longer term player development. This approach has been used at schools like Indiana to complete an almost immediate makeover.
Secondly, the new restrictions that are being placed on the size of college football rosters makes roster size management a serious concern. Soon, all programs will have to be locked in at no more than 105 players per team…a far cry from the days when programs like Nebraska would routinely have rosters much closer to 150, including a typically beefy number of walk-on players.
Rhule Worried About Roster Reductions
Rhule announced some time ago that he was concerned about trimming his roster and having to tell players they could no longer fit at Nebraska. The new downsizing rules do include allowances for players who have been in the program to remain until they graduate, but in short order, 105 will be set in concrete.
Along those lines, the 2026 class was always going to be small, with a greater emphasis being placed – for one year – on additions through the portal. The Huskers have immediate needs to fill, particularly along both the offensive and defensive lines. Adding incoming freshman there wasn’t the top priority for next season.
On the other hand, Nebraska’s 2027 signing class is currently ranked fifth nationally, so it will be back to high school recruiting as usual starting a year from now.
So for Cornhusker recruiting fanatics, it’s wait ‘till next year.
Cause for Concern with Nebraska’s Meager Signing Class?