Nebraska Cornhuskers trending for 4-star CB Mario Buford

DeSoto (Texas) four-star cornerback Mario Buford is visiting three Big Ten schools in June. One of them is Nebraska, who will host him from June 2-4.

The Cornhuskers have a commanding lead for Buford’s commitment at 90.2%, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Nebraska’s odds rose following an expert prediction from On3’s Sam Spiegelman.

“Nebraska has recruited Mario Buford incredibly well going back to getting the offer under Scott Frost through interim head coach Mickey Joseph, and now to Matt Rhule,” Bryan Munson of HuskerOnline said. “Ask Buford and he will tell you that Rhule and his staff have dialed it up a notch since they got to Lincoln compared to those other head coaches.

“The Huskers will host Mario for the sixth time when he comes to Lincoln for his official visit in June. Nebraska demonstrated how things are improving in Lincoln during his junior day visit in March and now Nebraska gets to show how vital Buford is to the class and to the plan that Matt Rhule has to turn things around for the Huskers.”

Buford is the No. 314 overall prospect and No. 34 cornerback in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 54 player in Texas.

On3 rates Buford higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, he is the No. 144 overall prospect, No. 20 cornerback and the No. 29 player in Texas.

For more Nebraska recruiting intel, check out Husker Online.

Buford would be a big addition to Nebraska’s 2024 class

Buford has a family connection in Lincoln, as his brother plays for Nebraska. Cornerback Marques Buford started 11 games for the Cornhuskers last season and finished with 59 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defended and a forced fumble.

The 5-foot-11, 157-pound defensive back can already sense something new around the program since Rhule’s arrival.

“It’s a different energy than before,” Buford told Spiegelman on March 24. “The other coaches there wanted to win, but the drive and the energy was just so low. Their record was hurting their confidence.”

Regarding Nebraska’s 2024 recruiting class, the Cornhuskers’ group currently ranks No. 25 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 7 in the Big Ten. It contains seven players.

They are Altair (Texas) Rice Consolidated four-star safety Roger Gradney, Miami (Fla.) Christopher Columbus three-star linebacker Willis McGahee IV, Bellevue (Neb.) Bellevue West three-star quarterback Daniel Kaelin, Katy (Texas) Taylor three-star tight end Ian Flynt, Houston (Texas) Klein Cain three-star interior offensive lineman Gibson Pyle, Liberty (Mo.) Liberty North three-star athlete Keelan Smith and Elkhorn (Neb.) Elkhorn South three-star defensive lineman Ashton Murphy.