Sam Sledge always knew he wanted to be a Husker. Sunday, the 6-4, 265-pound junior announced his commitment to Nebraska.

“It feels like home, I have been a Nebraska fans since I was a little kid,” Sledge said of his commitment. “My dad (Bob ’88) went there and since coach Raiola came it felt even more like home.”

Sledge if the second in-state lineman in the 2023 class to commit to NU joining Lincoln Southeast tackle Gunnar Gottula.

“I just feel like they believe in the in-state guys, me and Gunnar, if anyone is going to get it done then we are the ones to get it done.”

Sledge has started for Prep at tight end/offensive line since he was a freshman. As a freshman the versatile athlete played basketball for the Jr. Jays. His sophomore year he made the switch to wrestling in the winter. A two-time state wrestling qualifier at heavyweight, he wanted to wait to announce his decision until after the season.

“I told them (NU) two weeks ago,” Sledge said of when he committed to NU. “I just wanted to wait until the wrestling season was over before announcing it.”

He unofficially visited Nebraska on January 22, the same day he received an offer from the Huskers.

The family connection is evident. Bob was an All-Big Eight lineman and has is his offensive line coach at Prep.

“When I first told my family they were all excited,” he said of his dad’s response to his commitment. “They all hugged me. Maybe when I get down there it will hit me but I am happy I get to follow in his footsteps and keep doing what he did down there.”

He chose NU over offers from Kanas and Miami (OH).

Sledge is now one of four commitments for Nebraska in the 2023 class. Three are in-state products, Gottula and Pierce tight end Ben Brahmer.