Nebraska trending for one of the country's best offensive linemen

Nebraska hasn’t had the start its football fans hoped for when Matt Rhule took over the program in December. The Huskers sit at 1-2 after the first few weeks of the season, with a heartbreaking loss to Minnesota and a blowout defeat at the hands of former Big 12 rival Colorado on the ledger.

NU has, however, put it together on the recruiting trail this cycle, sitting at No. 23 nationally in the On3 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings.

Rhule and Co. already have seven blue-chip commitments this cycle, and they’re trending for another — maybe their biggest one to date.

Four-star offensive lineman Grant Brix is down to a top three of Oklahoma, Kansas State and Nebraska, but right now it’s the Huskers who are in pole position, according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons.

“Grant Brix was planning to commit before his senior season, but he just wasn’t ready. If he had committed earlier this summer, Kansas State may have been in the best position,” Simmons said on Monday. “The Wildcats offered early, and while they continue to be a contender, Nebraska has grabbed the momentum in this race and the Huskers are trending. Oklahoma is another school to watch, but Matt Rhule’s program in Lincoln is viewed as the team to beat for the offensive lineman out of Logan (Iowa) Logan-Magnolia.”

Brix would be a massive addition to the Huskers class

One of the biggest shortcomings of Scott Frost’s regime in Lincoln was recruiting Big Ten-level offensive linemen. Brix is exactly that and would give the Huskers a potential Day 1 starter at multiple offensive line spots next fall.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder is the No. 74 overall prospect and No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 is slightly higher on him than other services, and the Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:

“He’s an aggressive offensive lineman with high-end functional movement skills that are among the best at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured at close to 6-foot-6, 290 pounds. Has good length, particularly for the interior with a 33.75-inch arm. Plays in a downhill, run heavy offensive scheme for a small high school. One of the better movers among top 2024 offensive linemen. Light-footed and moves like a smaller player. Looks like a tight end at times. Fires off the ball with vigor. Works to finish blocks with authority once engaged. A dominant blocker at the second level.

… Brix stalks down and plants linebackers into the ground. Does what he wants against the competition for the most part. Has an encouraging multi-sport profile. A three-sport athlete as a good wrestler and state finalist in the shot put with a personal best of 50-2.5 feet. Does not face top competition and will need to continue developing in pass protection at the next level. Likely projects inside given his skill set.”

Commitment coming soon?

Brix initially planned to make a commitment before his senior season, but told KSO’s Drew Galloway that he is now just waiting for the right moment.

“When it happens, it happens,” he said. “I think it’s all still pretty close. Sometimes I’ll think this way and think they’re leading but I’ll think, ‘what about this’. It’s just three really good options, and I’m struggling to pick between the three.”