Offensive lineman dishes on visit to Nebraska football

March and April are key months for recruits to spread out around the country and see a coaching staff in action, visiting schools both officially and unofficially. While Nebraska’s key official visit weekend will come later this month around the Spring Game, the Huskers have been active in inviting recruits to campus for unofficial visits.

Several key offensive line targets have visited campus, including Buffalo (Minnesota) offensive tackle Ryan Babatz. A 6-foot-5, 265-pound prospect, Babatz has been on Nebraska’s radar for several months. The Huskers extended a scholarship offer in November and then hosted Babatz for a gameday visit the following week.

Returning to Lincoln in April gave Babatz another chance to speak with offensive line coach Donovan Raiola and to take in a Nebraska practice.

“It was a really fun practice to watch, and it was a good visit overall,” Babatz said. “I got a good tour of the new facilities they’re working on right now, and it was nice to connect with some people again.”

While Nebraska was the first FBS program to offer Babatz, many offers have trickled in following a standout junior season. Babatz said joining the wrestling team led to improvements in physicality and leverage up front, allowing him to make strides as a pass protector.

“Last year, I got bigger and stronger, and I feel like I got more physical and better at the point of contact,” Babatz said. “I was working double teams more and working to the second level, so everything got a lot better since last year.”

Five other FBS schools have extended offers, while FCS powerhouses North Dakota State and South Dakota State are recruiting Babatz heavily. In-state program Minnesota hasn’t offered a scholarship yet but also remains interested.

Babatz said he’d like to return to Nebraska for an official visit but may wait to make a decision until after his senior season.

Two other offensive line targets — San Francisco St. Ignatius Prep’s John Mills and Paramus (New Jersey) Catholic’s Malachi Goodman — also visited campus within the last week. A towering 6-6, 330-pound tackle prospect, Mills will be back in Lincoln two weeks from now for his official visit.

Goodman is a fast-rising recruit whose relationship with Nebraska remains strong. Running backs coach EJ Barthel, who recruits the New Jersey area for Nebraska, visited Goodman at his high school last May and extended a scholarship offer.

At the time, it was Goodman’s first FBS opportunity — but that’s hardly the case anymore. Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC are among the many programs that’ve offered Goodman since, and the four-star recruit has been busy this spring trying to see them all.

Goodman had previously attended a Nebraska game in the fall. If the Huskers can get him on campus for an official visit in June, they’d be in a strong position to land the Top 150 national recruit, according to 247Sports.

Another recent unofficial visitor of note is Lancaster (California) Quartz Hill cornerback Adonyss Currie, a four-star prospect who is one of Nebraska’s top secondary targets. Currie visited practice on Tuesday and is scheduled for an April 27 official visit with the Huskers.

Several of the state’s best 2025 prospects have also made their way to Lincoln over the last two weeks. All three commits within the class — Omaha North’s Tyson Terry, Millard North’s Caden VerMaas and Bishop Neumann’s Conor Booth — visited campus alongside other uncommitted targets.

Platteview tight end Reiman Zebert, Lincoln Southwest athlete Jackson Carpenter and Millard South tight end Chase Loftin recently attended a Nebraska practice as well.