LINCOLN, Neb. — Four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt, a focus for Nebraska in recruiting for longer than a year, has flipped his commitment from Alabama to the Huskers.
It’s a significant win for Nebraska. Merritt, the No. 116-ranked prospect nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite, slots as the highest-rated player in the Huskers’ 20-man recruiting class for 2025. Early signing day is set for Dec. 4.
#AGTG Following my heart❤️ https://t.co/4CElaUszGg
— Dawson Merritt (@dawsonxmerritt) November 14, 2024
Merritt, 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds out of Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kan., received an offer from Nebraska in November 2023. He visited Lincoln for the spring game in April but committed to the Crimson Tide after a June visit to the SEC program.
Nebraska upped the intensity of its pursuit after its July hire of Jamar Mozee as a senior offensive analyst. Mozee has served as a recruiting force in the Kansas City area for second-year Nebraska coach Matt Rhule.
Mozee’s son, wide receiver Isaiah Mozee out of Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North, flipped to Nebraska from Oregon. And offensive lineman Juju Marks of Olathe (Kan.) South flipped from Kansas to the Huskers.
Merritt is the son of the Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt. He joins Christian Jones and Pierce Mooberry, linebackers from Omaha, in this 2025 class for Nebraska. Both of their fathers played at Nebraska. Dave Merritt played at NC State and with the Dolphins and Cardinals in the NFL. He has coached for Andy Reid in Kansas City since 2019.
The offseason roster crunch ahead has forced Nebraska to limit the size of its next signing class. Wide receiver Bryson Hayes recently flipped from Nebraska to Kansas.
The group for Nebraska includes at least nine players set to play defense in college.
The Huskers continue to recruit five-star athlete Michael Terry of San Antonio, and they’re working to flip four-star tight end Chase Loftin of Millard South in Omaha. Loftin committed to Florida State in June.
(Photo: Kevin Jairaj / USA Today)
