Caleb Pyfrom ready to visit Nebraska — and two more Big Ten West schools

Energy. Enthusiasm. Toughness.

“I think he believes in your effort — your effort on every play, every time you step on the field,” the 2024 Omaha Central offensive tackle said this week. “Being intense, having intention when you’re on the field.”

The lone in-state prospect among NU’s first crop of June visitors, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Pyfrom now wants to talk to more current Husker players while his parents and younger sister get an extended look at the university.

After that, it’s two more official visits in June to Minnesota and Illinois while he continues to gauge his interest in visiting Iowa, Missouri or Penn State.

A three-star prospect, Pyfrom doesn’t sound like a player on the verge of a commit — even though he’s spent more time at NU than almost any in-state recruit.

“I’m not narrowing down anything yet,” Pyfrom said. “I’m not even really thinking about it right now. It’s going to be maybe after the season, maybe before, we’ll see. I think I still have something to prove, I think I still have more offers to come, just because of some missed opportunities.”

Pyfrom didn’t play during the 2020 season because Omaha Public Schools canceled football amid the early months of COVID. In 2021, he was still learning the particulars of offensive line play from former Eagle Dashawn Woods. In 2022, Pyfrom’s recruiting profile blew up after solid individual performances against Gretna and Elkhorn South. He got the Nebraska scholarship offer — and then some.

Minnesota offered in late November. Caleb’s mom, Dr. Natasha Pyfrom, completed her residency at the University of Minnesota, Caleb said, and he has ties in the area. Gopher coach P.J. Fleck, Pyfrom said, is “very similar” to Rhule.

“He has a lot of energy,” Pyfrom said. “He’s emphatic. He gets all of his points across.”

Illinois is on the radar for its recent success with linemen. Illini offensive line coach Bart Miller, who grew up in Omaha — attending Omaha Westside as a freshman — before his family moved to Chicago.

Iowa and Penn State have long been on the list, and Pyfrom found himself impressed by the recruiting of Missouri offensive line coach Brandon Jones.

Pyfrom likes Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, too. They’ve built a “good relationship” when Pyfrom headed down to Lincoln for practice.

“I feel like I can fit in with him and his group that’s there right now,” Pyfrom said. “But I do want to see how the O-line improves this next season.”