The Nebraska football team has secured its top recruit for the Class of 2025 with the commitment of linebacker Dawson Merritt.
Merritt, a four-star prospect from Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kansas, announced his decision to join the Huskers on Thursday, flipping from his prior commitment to Alabama. Ranked as the No. 85 overall player nationally by 247Sports, Merritt had narrowed his options to Nebraska and Alabama after multiple visits to both schools over the summer.
Although Merritt committed to Alabama in late June, Nebraska kept up strong connections with him, even bringing him to Lincoln for a gameday visit this fall. That late push paid off, as the Huskers secured a dynamic pass-rushing linebacker who continues to develop his game.
Blue Valley head coach Allen Terrell has seen Merritt’s growth firsthand. Initially uninterested in football, Merritt was more focused on basketball until his friends encouraged him to try out for the Blue Valley freshman team. Though he was initially a “string bean,” Terrell and his staff helped Merritt build strength and confidence, pushing him to dominate on the field. By his junior year, Merritt’s transformation was clear, and his recruitment skyrocketed.
Standing at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Merritt earned over 20 scholarship offers within just five months. Nebraska was one of the schools to take notice, frequently visiting him at school and inviting him to campus as one of their top 2025 targets. Coaches presented Merritt with a vision for his future, envisioning him as a hybrid outside linebacker/pass rusher, similar to the “Jack” position in Nebraska’s defense.
Merritt’s commitment marks Nebraska’s 20th pledge for the 2025 class, with the linebacker now standing as the highest-ranked recruit. His blend of speed, athleticism, pass-rushing ability, and coverage skills makes him a potential game-changer for the Huskers.
Terrell, who has coached for 25 years, believes Merritt is only beginning to tap into his full potential. “He just has a spark, a light to him that shines through,” Terrell said. “He’s a special kid, and I’ve coached a lot of them.”