Nebraska HC Matt Rhule in to see Alabama 4-star EDGE commit Dawson Merritt

On June 26, Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest four-star EDGE Dawson Merritt committed to Alabama, choosing the Crimson Tide over Nebraska.

While the Cornhuskers finished second for the near top-100 prospect back in the summer, they’ve managed to get Merritt back on campus since and are keeping their foot on the gas until he puts pen to paper.

On Thursday night, head coach Matt Rhule made his way out to the Sunflower State to see Merritt in action alongside Huskers linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek.

Merritt was back in Lincoln in September to see Nebraska roll past Colorado. As the Big Ten program eyes a top-25 recruiting class, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder remains a top priority.

“It was crazy inside that place!” Merritt said of the recent visit when speaking with On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “Super electric the whole entire night, it never died.”

“Nebraska never slowed down their recruitment of me too much,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons ahead of the trip. “They respected my decision to commit, but they made it clear they wanted to keep our relationship.”

Merritt a key piece to Alabama’s 2025 class as Nebraska charges

Merritt has shown no signs of backing off his pledge to the Crimson Tide, however. He’s one of 14 top-200 prospects in the class under Kalen DeBoer and Co. and will slot right into Bama’s ‘Wolf’ position at the next level.

“Coach DeBoer is an amazing head coach,” Merritt told On3 upon his commitment. “He’s very personable. He has a great vision for the team. Everything that he said he would do, he’s starting to do and I’m super excited for everyone to see him in action during the season. He did impressive things at Washington and now, he has all the resources in the world at Alabama.”

He is the No. 108 overall prospect and No. 14 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 4 player in Kansas.

Nebraska’s class currently ranks No. 26 in the nation and No. 9 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Merritt would easily be the top-ranked recruit in the class if he were to join the fold in Lincoln. Alabama’s class checks in at No. 2.

As a junior, Merritt collected 83 total tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks, per MaxPreps.