MJ Sherman admits he had 'high anxiety' coming to Nebraska

New Nebraska linebacker MJ Sherman has made a big jump this offseason, leaving the two-time defending champion Georgia to move to the Big Ten. The decision was not an easy one for Sherman to make.

It was one full of anxiety.

“I’m not gonna lie, I had high anxiety to the sense where it’s like okay, this is a new chapter of my life. I gotta do what I have to do to make the best of it,” Sherman said recently after a spring practice. “But at the same token, those coaches, they helped me, guide me through the process, helped open up to myself to the point where it’s comfortable, and able to be the guy who I am.”

Sherman was the No. 31 overall recruit and No. 7 linebacker in the 2021 On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.. The On3 Industry is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry.

MJ Sherman says opportunities, Matt Rhule brought him to Nebraska

A former five-star recruit, MJ Sherman had not been able to carve out a starting role for Georgia during his three seasons with the team.

He said the opportunities to play at Nebraska helped convince him to come to the team.

“Opportunities,” Sherman said. “I’m not trying to be selfish like I’m all about me or anything like that. I do really want to win games and win bowl games here, bring a lot of success here in this facility, which is absolutely deserved because my work ethic with this team. But the opportunities that lie here was pretty convincing for me.”

Another reason for his decision to come to the Huskers was head coach Matt Rhule. The first-year head coach was the main recruiter on Sherman’s visit and sold him on his vision for the Nebraska program.

“The main person I talked to while I was visiting here was Coach Rhule,” Sherman said. “I put my faith in him and you know, Faith, at the end of the day, we can’t touch it. You can’t see it. You can’t taste it. It’s intangible. You just got to believe in it. I’m still doing it and I’m seeing some pretty good outcomes from it.”