German lineman joins Nebraska football’s 2024 roster

2024 German-born lineman David Höffken impressed Nebraska coaches at the Houston Christian Showcase on Tuesday, earning an offer from NU and then committing on the spot.

“We want you to be a Husker, you feel that?” defensive line coach Terrance Knighton told Höffken in a video posted to Instagram by Gridiron Imports. “We want to make this happen quickly, we (were) talking that we don’t want to see this top-three (stuff), we’re trying to get this done because you’ve done all the recruiting for so long.”

Höffken’s playing experience dates back to 2019 in the German Football League, where he played for the Cologne Crocodiles and the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes. That experience helped the 22-year-old Höffken develop into a physically gifted 6-foot-7, 255-pound defensive lineman and tight end.

Höffken could remain on defense in the future or could move to the offensive side of the ball to utilize his long arms and powerful frame as an offensive tackle. Since he played overseas, Höffken will have four years of eligibility remaining once he joins the Huskers.

After receiving the news from Knighton, Höffken was clearly emotional as he dropped to his knees and celebrated the achievement.

“That’s crazy, that’s the dream,” Höffken said to Knighton. “I can’t believe it!”

Nebraska extended several scholarship offers to 2025, 2026 and 2027 prospects during its Monday and Tuesday satellite camps but had not added players to the roster prior to Höffken. The Huskers will evaluate other transfers, junior college players and high school graduates with immediate eligibility during a post-graduate camp on June 10.