Nineteen Nebraska high school football athletes from the Class of 2025 are set to make history by signing financial aid agreements with Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools on Wednesday, December 4 for National Signing Day. This marks a significant shift from the traditional National Letter of Intent (NLI) model that has been in place since 1964. Additionally, four athletes will be signing with Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools. The initial signing period will end on Friday, December 6.
For Division II schools and below, commitments can sign their paperwork on the second National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Offers can still come from FBS and FCS after the initial signing period. The second signing period will end on April 1, 2025 for Division I football and August 1, 2025 for Division II football.
CLASS OF 2025 EARLY NATIONAL SIGNING DAY
FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION
FBS Signees (18)
FBS Commits (2)
AIR FORCE
Dawson Amick | Battle Creek | 6’3/265 | OL/DL
– In dominating fashion, Amick played a pivotal role in anchoring an offensive line that helped a Class C-2 semifinalist to 319 yards per game in 2024. Defensively as a senior, Amick was one amongst the team leaders in tackles with 66 to go along with six sacks.
Adam Pugh | Millard South | 6’4/230 | DL
– Pugh was a valuable contributor to the defensive front over the last three seasons to include helping the Patriots win the Class A state championship. Over his career, Pugh recorded 120 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks.
FLORIDA STATE
Chase Loftin | Millard South | 6’6/220 | TE
– Loftin was a major part in Millard South winning the Class A state championship for the first time since 2009. Loftin caught 57 passes for 837 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Patriots as a senior. Over his last three seasons to include two at Elkhorn North, Loftin caught 130 passes for 1,854 yards and 23 touchdowns.
KANSAS STATE
Darien Whitaker Jr. | Boys Town | 6’4/215 | LB
– For a former scout, stumbling on hidden gems is as exciting as it gets. Whitaker Jr. jumped off the tape during his junior season. As a senior, Whitaker Jr. rushed for 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns for a Class C-1 quarterfinalist while logging 82 tackles and eight tackles for loss. Whitaker Jr. was originally committed to Northern Iowa before FBS programs moved in.
Sawyer Schilke | Kearney | 6’3/230 | LB
– Schilke had a breakout junior season to establish him as one of the top Class of 2025 linebackers in the Cornhusker State. As a senior playing a crucial role on a Class A semifinalist, Schilke recorded an impressive 114 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and six sacks while rushing for four touchdowns. Over his career, Schilke posted 207 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.
NEBRASKA
Conor Booth | Wahoo Neumann | 6’1/215 | ATH
– Booth broke eight state records over a stellar career for Bishop Neumann. As a senior, Booth rushed for a Class C-2 record with 2,956 rushing yards while tying a Nebraska single-season record with 50 touchdowns. Booth set Class C-2 records in rushing yards with 6,093, total touchdowns with 104, and 99 career rushing touchdowns.
Jackson Carpenter | Lincoln Southwest | 6’2/200 | WR
– A Nebraska legacy signing, Carpenter played six games during the 2024 season to finish with 14 receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Over his career, Carpenter caught 60 passes for 1,163 yards and 14 touchdowns while making numerous big plays for the Silver Hawks in the passing game.
Christian Jones | Omaha Westside | 6’4/210 | LB
– A Navy All-American Bowl honoree, Jones was widely considered the top overall prospect in the Class of 2025 out of Nebraska. As a senior for the Class A runner-up, Jones made 93 stops with four tackles for loss and two interceptions. Also useful in the passing game on offense, Jones caught 38 passes for 659 yards and 11 touchdowns over his career for the Warriors. Omaha Westside won Class A state championships with Jones in 2022 and 2023.
Pierce Mooberry | Millard North | 6’4/210 |LB
– In an injury-shortened senior season, Mooberry caught 32 passes for 556 yards while finding the end zone six times in seven games at tight end for a Class A playoff qualifier. Defensively, Mooberry’s disruptive presence was evident as he recorded 135 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss over his career.
Tyson Terry | Omaha North | 6’3/285 | DT
– Terry has established himself as a dominant force on the football field during his four years of varsity action at Omaha North. His impressive statistics, including 247 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks, highlight his disruptive presence on the defensive line. Terry also played a crucial role on the offensive line for the Vikings.
Caden VerMaas | Millard North | 6’0/195 | ATH
– An dynamic and explosive presence on offense always capable of busting a big play, VerMaas compiled 1,277 total yards and 14 touchdowns on a Class A playoff qualifier. Over his career, VerMaas rushed for 2,287 yards and 33 touchdowns with an average of 9.1 yards per carry while catching 31 passes for 620 yards and seven touchdowns. On special teams, VerMass returned two punts and a kickoff for a touchdown.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Casey Popish | Papillion-La Vista South | 6’4/230| TE
– Popish showed his versatility for Papio South , catching 29 passes for 471 yards and four touchdowns at tight end on a Class A state playoff qualifier. Popish also made his presence felt on defense, recording 67 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks over his last two seasons for the Titans.
Landon Tate | Elkhorn South | 6’0/200 | ATH
– Tate used an outstanding senior season to earn his FBS offer during the regular season. The leading receiver for Elkhorn South, Tate caught 37 passes for 732 yards and seven touchdowns. Showing his explosiveness, Tate returned two interceptions, a kickoff, and a punt for a touchdown as a senior on a Class A quarterfinalist. Tate also recorded four interceptions over his career for the Storm.
OHIO
Isaac Ackerman | Omaha Central | 6’4/240 | TE/DL
– Ackerman remained patient through the recruiting process to earn FBS offers during his senior campaign. Originally committed to Northwest Missouri State, Ackerman caught 18 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns while also performing well as a run blocker. On defense, Ackerman exploded for 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.
STANFORD
Reiman Zebert | Platteview | 6’6/215 | TE
– Zebert was able to take outstanding junior tape to turn it into multiple FBS scholarship offers. A deep threat over the top in the passing game, Zebert caught 66 passes for 1,227 yards and 11 touchdowns over his career at Platteview. Zebert is the first Nebraskan to sign with Stanford since current NFL player Harrison Phillips.
TEXAS TECH
Ren Brown | Stanton | 6’6/285 | OL
– Brown dominated the Eight Man ranks and finished with a 25-1 record over his last two seasons to include a victory in the 2023 Class D-1 state championship game. As a senior, Brown anchored an offensive line that boosted the Mustangs to 384.1 rushing yards per game.
Garin Maley | Papillion-La Vista | 6’6/270| OL
– It became clear Maley had FBS potential after impressive sophomore tape. As a senior on a Class A state quarterfinalist, Maley paved the way for an offense that averaged 339.4 yards per game. On defense as a senior, Maley recorded 43 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
WASHINGTON STATE
Turner Bertrand | Kearney | 6’7/290 | OL
– Bertrand was another prospect who remained patient throughout the process to earn a FBS offer during the 2024 season. As a senior on a Class A state semifinalist, Bertrand anchored an offensive line that had a part in the Bearcats averaging 292.2 yards per game. Bertrand has also been a useful contributor on the hardwood for the Bearcats in the winter months.
WYOMING
Kalvin Janssen | Gretna | 6’3/285 | OL
– Janssen was added to the list of commitments on Signing Day after inking his paperwork with the Cowboys. As a senior, Gretna averaged 442.3 yards per game with Janssen anchoring the offensive line. Janssen was one of the best prospects up front in the metro over the past three seasons.
Henry Rehberg | Millard North | 6’3/250 | DL
– Rehberg heads to Laramie to play his college football after a solid career on the defensive line for Millard North. Over the past two seasons, Rehberg recorded 84 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks to earn his Mountain West offer. Rehberg is one of three Millard North prospects to sign on Wednesday.
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION
FCS Signees (4)
FCS Commits (1)
LINDENWOOD
Connor Cook | Omaha North | 6’9/325 | OL
– Cook is hard to miss on the football field. As a senior for a Class A state semifinalist, Cook was a key contributor to an offense that averaged 360.4 yards per game.
NORTH DAKOTA
Pierre Allen Jr. | Lincoln Southeast | 6’2/210 | DL/LB
– Allen Jr. was a key contributor on defense for Lincoln Southeast over the past three seasons. Allen Jr. recorded 225 tackles and 7.5 sacks over his career and led a defense that allowed 17 points per game in a Class A playoff appearance.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Mikhale Ford | Lincoln East | 6’1/170 | DB
– Ford was a two-way standout for a Class A playoff qualifier in 2024. On offense, Ford caught 38 passes for 427 yards and four touchdowns. Over his past two seasons of varsity action, Ford registered 52 tackles and three interceptions.
Thomas Roberts | Boone Central | 6’3/220 | DL
– Roberts has accepted a Preferred Walk-On (PWO) offer from the 17-time national champions. As a senior, Roberts capped off a stellar career with 67 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.
Alijah Wayne | Omaha Central | 6’4/240 | DL
– Wayne was one of the top prospects on defense over the past three seasons for Omaha Central. Over his career, Wayne finished with 131 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Wayne also caught three touchdowns of his career on offense as a tight end.
PENN
Cole Erickson | LIncoln Southwest | 6’3/230 | DL
– An injury cut Erickson’s senior campaign short as the Ivy League commit played in just four games. Over his career, Erickson logged 87 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and three sacks for the Silver Hawks.
Who’s Next?
Class of 2026 Watch List
Class of 2027 Watch List
Class of 2028 Watch List
How Did We Do?
Top 2025 Nebraska Prospects (May 1, 2023)
Nebraska HS Football 