Early National Signing Day 2023: A complete list of Nebraska’s high school football signees

More and more football talent is coming out of the Cornhusker State each year and finding a home nationwide. This year alone, there are more than 20 Division I recruits and dozens of others at the FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA levels. 

Below is a list of Nebraska players who put their names to paper during Wednesday’s early signing period. If we missed anyone, please email nate@scorebooklive.com. This list will be updated throughout the day. 

LB – Dash Bauman, Lincoln East (Wyoming) 

Bauman takes more than 200 career tackles with him to Laramie. He began earning attention as a sophomore when he was one tackle short of 100 then followed that up with seasons of 77 and 73.

FS – Caleb Benning, Westside (Nebraska)

The son of former Husker Damon Benning, Caleb heads to Lincoln with a much bigger star than his father had. The Westside safety/wide receiver has been an absolute star for the Warriors the last two years, making big play after big play in the biggest of moments. As a junior, he caught 13 passes in the state championship win. This year, Benning caught six more passes and intercepted a pass in another title game win.

TE – Michael Burt, Creighton Prep (Iowa)

Burt’s ability as a pass catcher wasn’t always on display in the Prep offense, but what was always obvious was his solid base and how he used his hips as a run blocker to clear defensive ends and linebackers out of the way. He had offers from nearly every program in the Midwest but was drawn to the Hawkeyes due to their ability to produce high-level tight ends such as Sam LaPorta and George Kittle.

RB – Izaac Dickey, Cross County (Nebraska)

Dickey is a tough dude who looks and plays like old-school Husker fullbacks. As a three-year starter, Dickey rushed for 1,778 yards and 40 touchdowns and added 203 tackles on defense.

TE/Edge – Ethan Duda, Elkhorn South (Nebraska)

Duda was initially an Air Force recruit who will likely be a linebacker/edge rusher at the next level. For the Storm, he played on both sides of the ball, had 26 career receptions for 354 yards and five touchdowns on offense and 71 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions on defense.

LB – Seth Erickson, York (UNK)

Erickson was an obvious future star as a sophomore when he amassed 25 tackles in just three games. He’s lived up to those expectations with 76 stops as a junior and 73 this fall as a senior.

ATH – Ryker Evans, Hi-Line (Nebraska)

Evans was headed to the Air Force Academy when he announced his decision to flip to a preferred walk-on for Nebraska on Monday evening. Evans' natural ability, football instincts and preparation led him into a senior season that ended with 72 tackles and five interceptions.

OL - Nolan Fennessy, Norfolk Catholic (Nebraska)

Norfolk Catholic has had a bevy of talented players in each of the past two state championship seasons but it was probably Fennessy’s consistency up front that was most important for this past fall. Many of the skill guys and major playmakers graduated last May. Thanks to Fennessy, the Knights came together quickly up front around Fennessy and won another unbeaten Class C-2 title

OL - Ben Gustafson, Elkhorn South (Northern Illinois)

Gustafson is a huge dude who moves with the grace of someone half his size. Athletically, he was once more of a basketball player who turned his footwork and body control into an excellent football career. An SBLive All-State selection, Gustafson also had offers from South Dakota, South Dakota State, Montana, Lindenwood and Northern Iowa.

OL - Dae’Vonn Hall, Bellevue West (Nebraska)

Hall had the frame and physical stature offenses want at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds. Like Bellevue West teammate Isaiah McMorris, dealt with injuries this fall and missed four games. When he was available, Hall hauled in 20 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. His ceiling is much, much higher. When he played in 11 games in 2022, he had 62 catches for 974 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a sophomore, his numbers included 43 receptions for 592 and nine scores.

TE – Tanner Hollinger, Cross County (Illinois)

Hollinger had to wait to get going in his varsity football career when a misdiagnosed injury eventually led to surgery and several missed games as a freshman and sophomore. He more than made up for the last two years with numbers that included 36 catches for 549 yards and 15 touchdowns plus 128 tackles and 15 for loss.

TE – Eric Ingwersen, Papillion-La Vista (Nebraska)

Ingwersen was a valuable asset for the Monarchs whether he was used as a blocker to help set up a 1,000-yard rusher or in the passing game where he caught four touchdown passes. He was also a playmaker on defense with 52 tackles, 8.5 for loss and five sacks.

DB – Donovan Jones, Omaha North (Nebraska)

Jones sparked interest by running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at a Nebraska Friday Night Lights Camp this past summer. Made 98 combined tackles and six interceptions in the past two years in the Viking secondary.

QB – Daniel Kaelin, Bellevue West (Nebraska)

Kaelin has had an interesting recruitment that started with Missouri last March, a flip to Nebraska in May then a trip to Michigan State in the last week when five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola jumped from Georgia to Nebraska. Ultimately, the Elite 11 qualifier decided to stay with the Big Red. Kaelin threw for over 6,000 yards and 58 touchdowns in his varsity career.

DL – JR Lecuona, Millard South (South Dakota State)

There might not have been a harder defensive lineman to block in all of Nebraska. First, he had an impressive 88 tackles following 77 as a junior. But most impressively, 29 of his 2023 tackles were in the backfield. He heads to South Dakota State with 44 total TFLs and 14 sacks.

WR – Isaiah McMorris, Bellevue West (Nebraska)

Missed a few games with injuries but still had 44 catches with 683 yards and seven touchdowns. Exploded onto the recruiting scene last fall when he caught 90 passes for 1,297 yards and 14 scores. Has 12 games in his career with seven or more receptions. Nelson is the top-ranked recruit in Nebraska and the second-highest-rated tight end in the country.

DL – Aidan Miller, Millard South (Northern Iowa)

Miller was among Nebraska’s best defensive linemen in 2023 despite his relatively low tackle total. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound recruit had just 39 tackles this season and 57 for his career, but he has all the physical tools that add up to potential. He also missed five games over the past two seasons but had a tackle-for-loss just about every other game.

DL – Ashton Murphy, Elkhorn South (Nebraska)

Murphy’s ability to defend the run and put pressure on the quarterback was the centerpiece of an Elkhorn South defense that allowed fewer than 15 points per game. Helped lead the Storm to the Class A title game with 65 tackles and six behind the line.

TE – Carter Nelson, Ainsworth (Nebraska)

Who knows just how Nelson will make an impact for the Huskers? At Ainsworth, he threw the ball, caught the ball, carried the ball, tackled guys with the ball and did just about everything in between. This fall he was the rare player who had 500 yards passing, rushing and receiving.

DB – Preston Okafor, Westside (Nebraska)

Okafor gets a chance from the Husker coaching staff to prove his mettle as a preferred walk-on. Hasn’t filled up the stat sheet in high school but that’s largely because offenses won’t throw his way. Turn on the tape and you’ll see the potential.

OL - Caleb Pyfrom, Omaha Central (Missouri)

Pyfrom was an Illinois commit early last summer who changed his mind the day after visiting Missouri in October. A member of this year’s SBLive All-State team, Pyfrom returned to Columbia for a 36-7 Mizzou win over Tennessee on Nov. 11. He announced his decision for the Tigers on Monday morning. Pyfrom is a three-star recruit who has referenced Missouri’s improved O-line play this past season as one of the reasons for his commitment.

DB – Teddy Rezac, Westside (Notre Dame)

Rezac looks like the next Omaha kid set to make a big impact at Notre Dame. The Irish recruit heads to South Bend with more tackles, interceptions and passes defensed than Xavier Watts, a recent All-American honoree, had in his senior season at Burke.

ATH – Jake Ryan, Minden (Wake Forest)

Ryan is a preferred walk-on for the Demon Deacons who ran the offense for the Whippets on one side of the ball and roamed the secondary on the other. He had just one year as the Minden signal caller but used it to showcase his dual-threat abilities, pass for 741 yards, rush for 485 more and contribute to nine total touchdowns.

ATH – Connor Schutt, Bishop Neumann (Nebraska)

Schutt played as the Cavaliers quarterback the last three years and took on more of a role as a free safety this fall. Three years under center produced over 2,800 yards passing and 1,300 yards receiving. On the other side of the ball, he contributed 15 tackles.

QB – Bode Soukup, Blair (Nebraska)

Soukup doesn’t get quite the quarterback attention playing for a Class B school outside the metro area but he put together a solid career that could have had him playing at many places in college football. As a Nebraska recruit, he brings almost 4,500 yards passing and 44 touchdowns with him to Lincoln.

TE – Joseph Stein, Grand Island Northwest (Northern Illinois)

Excellent athlete who achieved 100 wrestling wins just a few weeks ago and is a two-time state track qualifier in the shot put. Stein went from six catches as a sophomore to 21 as a junior and 33 this past fall. He has 676 career yards for over 24 yards per catch and seven touchdowns.

RB – Trent Uhlir, Battle Creek (Nebraska)

Uhlir was a major factor in each of the past three seasons in Battle Creek where the Braves won 25 games, made the playoffs each year and reached the semifinals twice. Rushed for over 2,900 yards and 44 touchdowns in those three years.

LB/RB – Derek Wacker, Yutan (Nebraska)

Wacker was a major playmaker on defense each of the past three years for Yutan then added an offensive element this fall and averaged 9.1 yards per carry while missing out on rushing for 1,000 yards by just 12 yards. He had 16 career TFLs and nine sacks.

FCS

OL – Jacob Arop, Bellevue West (South Dakota) 

Arop had a preferred walk-on offer from Nebraska and was sought by both Wyoming and Montana but said yes to South Dakota on Dec. 3. Arop is a lot leaner than most tackles because he also plays basketball. At 6-6, there’s a nice frame to build on ones he gets to campus for the Coyotes.

DL - Caden Cetak, Lincoln East (North Dakota)

His time chasing down the quarterback and stopping running backs included 90 total tackles, 16 sacks and an impressive 32 TFLS.

FS – Asher Jenkins, Bellevue West, (North Dakota)

Three-year starter for the T-Birds who finished with 125 career tackles, 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Had back-to-back games with nine tackles in each game and 6.5 total TFLs.

ATH – Gunnar Lym, Bennington (North Dakota)

Lym’s greatest impact for the three-peat Badgers was on defense at free safety where he completed his senior season with 42 tackles and three interceptions. Had 13 tackles in the season-opening win over Skutt then eight more in the title game rematch.

DB – Tommy Meckna, Elkhorn North (South Dakota)

Meckna was one of those handful of Wolves players who grew a new program while they grew into young men and football players. Meckna helped lead Elkhorn North from two 1-8 seasons as a freshman and sophomore to six wins as a junior and 10 wins this fall. His senior season included six interceptions.

LB – Beau Ryan, Westside (South Dakota)

Ryan is a unique combination of power and fundamentals who makes every stop with physicality. Made 86 tackles this fall with an eye-popping TFL total of 18. Ryan’s season included three games with three or more tackles for loss.

OL – Tyler Thaden, Millard West (North Dakota)

Flipped from Indiana State to North Dakota on Oct. 20. Thaden has obvious talent despite a lack of game film. He dealt with injuries last fall and came into 2023 with just a half-season of varsity football under his belt. Helped lead an offense that averaged 30 points per game this season and was one of the reasons why the Wildcats went from six wins to nine.

OL – Sam Thomas, Elkhorn North (Northern Iowa)

Thomas found his way to Northern Iowa thanks to a recruitment by former Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz. He had offers from Coastal Carolina, Northern Illinois, South Dakota, Fordham and Dartmouth.

WR – Jackson Williams, Millard West (North Dakota)

Williams averaged a staggering 28 yards per catch as a junior and had nine touchdown catches. When he wasn’t catching passes, Williams was returning two punts for scores and averaging over 24 yards per return. His senior year saw Williams collect 41 receptions for 981 yards and nine touchdowns, took two more punts to the house and also took two kickoffs the distance.

Division II

OL – Dylan Eby, Plattsmouth (UNK)

Eby has been a captain each of the past two years for Plattsmouth. Typically put at strong tackle by the coaching staff and utilized to cave down the line and produce 6.8 yards per carry.

OL – Max Gray, Millard South (Northwest Missouri State)

Was one of just two returnees up front who provided the type of leadership that allowed the Patriots to reach 10 wins. Blocked for an offense that racked up an average of 429 yards per game and scored 37 points per game.

OL - Dallas Hamilton – 6-2, 270, Offensive Line, Papillion-La Vista (UNK)

Hamilton has led the way in front of back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Payton Prestito. Not only big but wide with a 75-inch wingspan.

Edge - Henry Prochazka, Elkhorn South (Northwest Missouri State)

Not quite the monster of a man like his older brother but still full of talent and especially impactful on defense where he made seven tackles for loss, 50 total, five sacks and picked off a pass.

Division III

OL – Nolan Bartels, Omaha North (Wisconsin-Stout) 

Bartels was a versatile dude up front for a Vikings offense that produced 1,000-yard rushers each of the past two years and averaged 390 total yards this past fall.

RB – Brady Bousquet, Elkhorn South (St. Thomas)

One of the most efficient backs in the state at 6.5 yards per carry and 20 touchdowns. Had eight games this fall with more than 100 yards on the ground.

FS/ATH – Ty Nielsen, Elkhorn South (St. Thomas)

Nielsen has 94 career tackles including 69 this past year with an interception. This year’s highlights included nine tackles in three different games.

NAIA

LB – Kaden Froehlich, Pierce (Dakota Wesleyan)

WR – Jeremiah Gorham, Omaha Bryan (Hastings College)

ATH – Messiah Strong, Omaha North (Morningside)

RB – Keenan Valverde, Pierce (Dordt)

LB – Nolan Venner, Omaha North (Morningside)

LB – Landon Wemhoff, Elkhorn South (Morningside)

Elkhorn South recruit Ethan Duda takes a photo with his parents at midfield of Memorial Stadium during a Nebraska recruiting trip. Duda was one of dozens of Nebraska high school football players who signed national letters of intent Wednesday. Photo by @EthanDuda21 on X.