The world of college football recruiting is once again heating up as Nebraska emerges as a strong contender to flip four-star EDGE commit Dawson Merritt from Alabama. Recently, On3 recruiting insiders Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons logged predictions suggesting that Merritt, currently pledged to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, may ultimately choose the Huskers. If Nebraska succeeds in swaying Merritt to Lincoln, it would mark a significant recruiting coup for first-year head coach Matt Rhule and his staff, reinforcing the program’s efforts to re-establish itself as a powerhouse in the Big Ten and on the national stage.
Dawson Merritt, a four-star EDGE rusher from Texas, has garnered national attention for his disruptive playstyle and athleticism on the defensive line. Ranked among the top players in the 2024 class, Merritt combines explosiveness off the line with an ability to track down opposing quarterbacks, making him a coveted recruit for elite programs across the country. His combination of size, speed, and football IQ make him an attractive prospect, especially in conferences like the SEC and Big Ten where defensive talent is essential for success.
Earlier this year, Merritt committed to Alabama, impressed by the opportunity to develop under the legendary Nick Saban and compete for national championships. Saban’s reputation for developing NFL-ready defenders and Alabama’s proven track record as a launching pad for professional careers have long attracted top defensive talent. However, recent developments suggest that Nebraska has become a compelling alternative for Merritt, prompting Wiltfong and Simmons to speculate that a flip may be imminent.
Nebraska’s interest in Merritt is not just about adding a four-star talent to its roster; it represents a broader push to bring high-level recruits to Lincoln under the guidance of Matt Rhule. Hired in late 2022, Rhule has quickly worked to reinvigorate Nebraska’s recruiting efforts and build a foundation of players who can help restore the program’s competitive edge in the Big Ten.
Rhule’s background as a former NFL head coach and his reputation for rebuilding programs (as he did at Temple and Baylor) add to Nebraska’s appeal. Young players are often drawn to coaches with NFL experience, seeing it as a pathway to a potential pro career. Rhule’s approach emphasizes player development, preparation, and a defensive mentality that aligns with Merritt’s own skills and goals. For Merritt, joining a program that would allow him to make an immediate impact could be enticing, especially given Nebraska’s emphasis on cultivating a dominant defense that could place him at the center of its rebuild.
Furthermore, Nebraska offers Merritt the chance to be a key player on a team eager to climb back to national relevance. While Alabama consistently brings in high-caliber recruits and depth across positions, Nebraska’s approach allows players like Merritt to potentially stand out early and make their mark.
Another factor that may be influencing Merritt’s potential decision to flip to Nebraska is the emergence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. NIL has transformed college recruiting, allowing athletes to benefit financially from their brand, even before reaching the professional level. Nebraska has capitalized on these changes, positioning itself as a leader in providing lucrative NIL deals and opportunities for athletes to grow their personal brands.
With Nebraska’s dedicated NIL program, Merritt could see more immediate, tailored opportunities to secure partnerships and endorsements. Unlike Alabama, where competition for NIL deals among elite recruits is fierce, Nebraska’s focus on Merritt as a centerpiece of its future defense may result in more personalized NIL support. The chance to be a key face of Nebraska’s brand while benefitting financially could be a decisive factor as he weighs his options.
If Nebraska successfully flips Merritt, it would be a rare and significant recruiting loss for Alabama. Nick Saban has long dominated national recruiting and routinely beats out other programs for top defensive prospects. A loss here would highlight the increased competitiveness of college football recruiting in the NIL era and show that Alabama’s dominance isn’t unshakable, especially when programs like Nebraska provide compelling alternatives.
For Alabama, Merritt would have been another weapon in their already stacked defensive lineup. He was recruited to be part of a new wave of defensive playmakers, aiming to carry on the legacy of past EDGE stars like Will Anderson and Jonathan Allen. Without Merritt, Alabama would need to look for alternative EDGE options, and while they still have a deep recruiting pool, it would nonetheless be a blow.
Nebraska’s pursuit of Merritt is emblematic of a broader trend within the Big Ten, where programs are aggressively recruiting nationally and aiming to compete with the SEC’s top talent. Schools like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State have already proven their ability to attract top recruits, and Nebraska’s efforts to flip an Alabama commit like Merritt suggest that they intend to join that level of competition.
If Nebraska succeeds, it may set a precedent, showing that Big Ten programs can flip SEC-bound talent. By targeting elite players from SEC pipelines, Nebraska and other Big Ten schools are positioning themselves as competitive alternatives for the nation’s top athletes, capitalizing on changes within college football recruiting dynamics and NIL.
The potential flip of Dawson Merritt from Alabama to Nebraska could have far-reaching consequences, both for Merritt’s career and the larger college football landscape. For Merritt, a move to Nebraska would mean an opportunity to make an immediate impact on a rebuilding team and benefit from Rhule’s vision and experience. It would also mean stepping into a program eager to give him a leading role and the chance to develop his brand under Nebraska’s NIL resources.
For Nebraska, Merritt’s commitment would symbolize the strides made under Matt Rhule’s leadership and signal that Nebraska is once again a force in recruiting. Landing a four-star EDGE rusher who was previously committed to Alabama would mark a major win for the program, offering hope to fans that the Huskers are on the path to restoring their historic competitiveness in the Big Ten.
As the early signing period approaches, all eyes will be on Merritt’s decision. Whether he remains committed to Alabama or chooses to flip to Nebraska, his final call will reflect a new era in college football recruiting, where top prospects are now exploring a wider range of factors—including NIL, playing time, and individualized development—when determining their futures.