Nebraska, Oklahoma pushing for 4-star IOL Grant Brix

Of the top 100 prospects in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, only 15 remain uncommitted. One of those recruits is Logan (Iowa) Magnolia four-star interior offensive lineman Grant Brix.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder is the No. 70 prospect, No. 2 IOL and No. 1 player in Iowa in the class. Many expected that Brix would’ve already announced his college commitment by now, but with August coming to a close and high school football kicking off around the country, he remains on the board.

Brix took four official visits in June to Oklahoma, Kansas State, Alabama and Nebraska. With a decision imminent, 247Sports national recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong is keeping his eye on the Cornhuskers and Sooners as the potential winners of the coveted lineman’s recruitment.

“The programs that I think are in the best shape for him are Nebraska and Oklahoma,” Wiltfong said on the latest edition of the Wiltfong Whiparound.

Nebraska continues to build bond with Brix

Brix has taken six trips to Lincoln, including the June OV and an unofficial visit at the end of July.

“I had a lot of fun and I was able to spend a lot of time with the coaches,” Brix told Husker Online. “There was a lot of time to meet with the staff and meet with all of the recruits that I knew already and also meet the other people that I wanted to meet. It was a great trip.”

Nebraska currently has the No. 22 recruiting class in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. Brix would be the second top-100 recruit in the class, alongside Ainsworth (Neb.) four-star tight end Carter Nelson.

“With Nebraska, the excitement around Matt Rhule and that new coaching staff, the opportunity to play very close to home, those are a couple of things that have Nebraska in really good position for him,” Wiltfong said.

Nebraska also has the lead for Brix, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). The Huskers have a 71.5% chance to lock down Brix’s pledge, while Kansas State and Oklahoma are behind at 9% and 5.2%, respectively.

Oklahoma in the thick of things

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has led a sturdy charge for the Sooners in Brix’s recruitment, keeping them as one of the favorites. Brix was also back in Norman in July after his June OV.

“Oklahoma, there might not be a better offensive line coach in the country than Bill Bedenbaugh, he’s got a great relationship with Grant and his family,” Wiltfong said. “(Brix) has loved his experiences in Norman, and again, program trajectory — the way Oklahoma’s recruiting, what they’ve been, what they’re capable of, I think those are all things that excite Grant Brix.”

The Sooners now have the No. 14 class in the nation after adding Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman David Stone to the mix on Aug. 26. Brix would be the fifth top-100 recruit in Brent Venables’ class, joining Stone, Longview (Texas) four-star running back Taylor Tatum, Missouri City (Texas) Hightower four-star wide receiver Zion Kearney and Los Alamitos (Calif.) four-star tight end Davon Mitchell.

“Brix is a big piece for the Sooners and it wasn’t that long ago Oklahoma seemed on the periphery. However, Bill Bedenbaugh has continued to work and make it a tight race,” wrote SoonerScoop’s Josh McCuistion. “Though Kansas State is still involved there seems to be plenty of belief that Oklahoma and Nebraska are in a real battle.”