Recruits from East Coast, Omaha highlight Matt Rhule’s first official visit weekend

Matt Rhule’s first official visit weekend has arrived, and it’s a big one for Nebraska’s new head coach.

NU is expected to host double-digit high school prospects — a mixture of already committed 2023 prospects and other recruiting targets.

» Palmyra (N.J.) running back Kwinten Ives, who received an offer Nov. 29 and is one of the most important targets for new running backs coach EJ Barthel, who made an in-home visit Monday. Especially after running back Arnold Barnes decommitted from NU’s 2023 class, there’s an opening for a running back recruit. And given Nebraska’s budding relationship with the three-star Ives, this is the weekend to seal the deal.

» IMG Academy edge rusher Cameron Lenhardt, who is a former member of Nebraska’s 2023 class. He committed to NU in August, decommitted in September after the Huskers fired Erik Chinander, and is now visiting again after Rhule’s new coaching staff reoffered Lenhardt last Tuesday. Given that California is the only school to offer Lenhardt since the summer, Nebraska is still in the running for the four-star recruit. The 6-3, 240-pound Staten Island, New York, native is a versatile defender who profiled as a weak-side edge rusher under the previous coaching staff.

“I’m that guy where I can play anywhere — I can play outside linebacker, I can play defensive end and even this season I’m doing some three (technique) right now. I’m just that hybrid edge guy,” Lenhardt said.

» Aurora (Colo.) Regis Jesuit tight end Andrew Metzger, who is currently committed to Colorado, where new coach Deion Sanders may remake the recruiting class. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound three-star — who hails from the high school alma mater of former Husker Jack Stoll and is a teammate of NU commit Hayden Moore — Metzger could be a big addition for Nebraska’s 2023 class, especially after its lone tight end commit, Pierce senior Ben Brahmer, flipped to Iowa State earlier this week.

» Westside receiver Jaylen Lloyd, the state’s top sprinter, who had 44 catches for 788 yards and five touchdowns for the Class A champion. After Rhule’s first commitment at Nebraska came from Texas track star Brice Turner, there’s no doubt he’d love to land Lloyd, too. Rhule extended a scholarship offer to Lloyd within his first 24 hours as Nebraska’s head coach, and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield visited Lloyd at Omaha Westside last Friday. Lloyd also won a national title in the long jump at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June.

» Westside kicker Tristan Alvano, who made 119 of 120 extra points and displayed a big leg on field goals and kickoffs that will translate well to college. After a five-field goal performance in the Class A championship game that included a 45-yard game-winner, Nebraska’s previous coaching offered Alvano a next-day scholarship. NU special teams coordinator Ed Foley visited Alvano last week. According to Kohl’s Kicking, Alvano is the No. 6 kicker recruit in the nation.

“I’m in no rush to decide or anything,” Alvano said Nov. 22. “I’m still waiting on some schools to make a decision on me and what they want to do, so I’m just letting the process play out.

» Lincoln East receiver Malachi Coleman, who decommitted from NU last week and met Thursday with coaches from Michigan, Syracuse and Colorado, among others. Coleman remains a top priority for Nebraska, which has yet to hire a receivers coach.  

» Six of the Huskers’ 12 current commits — including all four in-state pledges — will return for a second official visit that’s allowed by the NCAA due to Nebraska’s coaching change: Creighton Prep offensive guard Sam Sledge; Lincoln Southeast offensive tackle Gunnar Gottula; Scottsbluff offensive tackle Brock Knutson; Elkhorn South edge rusher Maverick Noonan; Cypress (Texas) Woods linebacker Dylan Rogers; and Raymore-Peculiar (Mo.) receiver Jaidyn Doss. Rhule met in-person with all but Doss over the last week.

It’s a sign of intent from all six commits that they’ll spend this weekend in Nebraska rather than looking elsewhere at any other schools. For example, Moore will be taking a visit to Michigan Friday. NU will have the opportunity to host him and other prospects Dec. 16.