On Wednesday, 19 Nebraskans signed letters of intent as scholarship players to the Division I level (FBS, FCS). Seven signed to Power Five conference schools, four to a Group of Five school and six to FCS-level programs.

FBS

Nebraska signed three in-state players (Ernest Hausmann, Columbus; Jake Appleget, Lincoln Southeast and Gage Stenger, Millard South). Omaha Burke linebacker Devon Jackson signed with Oregon, Kaden Helms (Bellevue West) Oklahoma, Micah Riley-Ducker (Bellevue West) Auburn and Garrett Oakley (Columbus Scotus) Kansas State.

Wyoming continued to see Nebraska as fertile recruiting ground and signed three in-state athletes: Bellevue West running back LJ Richardson, Omaha Skutt quarterback Caden Becker and Fremont Bergan safety Koa McIntyre. Joining them in the Group of Five category is Millard South linebacker Jake Gassaway who signed with Northern Illinois.

FCS

At the FCS level there were two from Millard West: Tight end Trace Thaden signed with North Dakota and offensive lineman Tony Fialla with Southeast Missouri. Joining Fialla at Southeast Missouri is Nebraska City tight end Braden Thompson. Elkhorn defensive back/linebacker Hayden Stec also signed with North Dakota. Three Dakota schools added to their rosters with Nebraskans. Waverly defensive lineman Trevor Brown signed with North Dakota State, Cross County tight end Cory Hollinger signed with South Dakota and Papillion-La Vista linebacker Kaden Johnson and Crete running back Isaac Kracl are headed to South Dakota State.

***

There is still uncommitted in-state talent available. Here are 10 uncommitted 2022 prospects to keep an eye on prior to the February signing period.

Jayce Ballard, 5-10, 200, LB, Boys Town: Ballard played both sides of the ball in 2021 for the Cowboys. Projected as an inside linebacker collegiately, he also was the starting center on offense. At 5-10, 200-pounds he has run a 4.56 40-yard dash and has natural instincts to force turnovers.

Tommy Connelly, 6-1, 195, LB, Omaha Westside: Connelly is another linebacker that may not hit every measurable, but he certainly has the football IQ and instincts to play at the next level.

Vince Genatone, 6-0, 205, LB, North Platte: The numbers don’t lie. He recorded a 38.5-inch vertical and 4.45 40-yard dash during a private workout with Nebraska in the summer. In 10 games, Genatone had 132 total tackles, five sacks, four hurries and five pass breakups from his outside linebacker position. On offense, he finished the season with 899 yards rushing with 14 touchdowns on 100 carries. Genatone has been offered by Northern Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota State, Montana and Southern Mississippi.

Cole Habermann, 6-1, 225, DL, Omaha Westside: A relentless multi-sport athlete who is a disrupter. If a pass rusher or a defensive lineman who can play all positions is needed, Habermann is the guy. It doesn’t hurt that he is one of the best wrestlers in the state at 220-pounds.

Orlando Hernandez, 6-2, 220, DL, Omaha North: Hernandez finished the season with 94 total tackles, seven sacks and 26 tackles for loss in 2021. Hernandez is another wrestling lineman versatile enough to play the three and five technique at the next level.

Christian Meneses, 5-11, 185, RB, Plattsmouth: Tough to tackle, Meneses brings game-changing runs to the table. He rushed for 2,054 yards and 30 touchdowns in 10 games.

Dylan Mostek, 5-10, 195, RB, Bennington: Mostek broke the single-season, 11-man rushing record in 2021 with 3,089 yards and 44 touchdowns. More than just fast, his vision is probably his best quality. A sub 11-second (10.87) 100-meter dash pads his resume.

Chance Symons, 6-3, 240, DE, Scottsbluff: An edge-setter who is physical in the run game, Symons is a quick study and ready to learn with the frame to develop as a next-level pass rusher.

Noah Walters, 6-0, 195, QB, Lincoln East: Walters broke the single-season record for passing yards (3,402) in 2021. He currently holds two walk-on offers from Power Five schools (Iowa State, Nebraska) and a handful of Division II offers from the likes of Wayne State, South Dakota School of Mines, Bemidji State, Southwest Minnesota State and Central Missouri.

Keshaun Williams, 6-1, 185, DB/WR, Omaha North: Williams is right at the top of the class athletically. His ability to play in the box as a safety, corner and go get the deep ball at receiver is something next-level coaches covet.