No program coveted Nebraska 4-star QB commit TJ Lateef more than the Huskers

After waiting nearly the entire 2024 recruiting cycle to land it’s top quarterback target, Nebraska struck much earlier this time around.

Over the weekend, the Huskers locked down a pledge from four-star Orange (Calif.) Lutheran passer TJ Lateef, who chose NU over Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and a number of other offers. His decision came after only one visit to Lincoln — an official last month. But the love he felt from Nebraska’s coaching staff and the opportunity to compete were huge factors, according to On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong.

“This is the guy they zeroed in on. He was QB1 on their board, and you go where you’re loved,” Wiltfong said Sunday during On3’s Inside Scoop recruiting show. “This is a guy that Matt Rhule and his coaching staff absolutely coveted and invested a lot of time in. They think he can be awesome in their system.”

Should he sign with the Huskers in December, Lateef will join a very young but talented QB room at Nebraska alongside five-star 2024 signee Dylan Raiola and Daniel Kaelin.

The Huskers’ staff liked Lateef’s willingness to come in and compete, and they believe he can be a strong fit in their system.

“When Nebraska lands Dylan Raiola and Daniel Kaelin in the cycle before, it takes a guy with a certain belief and conviction in himself to get in there and compete,” added Wiltfong. “Nebraska, they’re creating a standard in this quarterback room now of guys that can get in there and really compete with each other and push each other. And TJ Lateef is a guy that they believe can come in and push these two two true freshmen they have on the roster that they believe are so talented. It was the relationship, the amount of time and emphasis [they put on him]. No program coveted and loved TJ Lateef as much as Nebraska did.”

Lateef believes in in Matt Rhule and the Huskers

Rhule is entering his second season as head coach at Nebraska, and after the success he’s had at Temple and Baylor before making a stop in the NFL, Lateef wants to be part of Rhule’s success in Lincoln.

“I never wanted to go somewhere that was already the best. Nebraska is good, and they have history. But I believe Coach Rhule can turn the program around and I want to be part of that change,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons about his decision.

… Coach Rhule is a great coach, he has been consistent everywhere he has been and he has a set plan for me when I get there. He knows what he is doing, he is getting good players and I feel I can be part of the 2025 recruiting class that makes things happen.”

Lateef is the eighth commitment for the Huskers in the 2025 class, a group that ranks No. 33 nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.