Matt Rhule Makes Recruiting Stop to Watch 2027 In-State Lineman Target

Matt Rhule stayed busy during his Friday night in Lincoln.

After appearing on his monthly show with the Huskers Radio Network, the Nebraska football coach went to Lincoln Lutheran High School to see one of the Huskers' latest offers in action. Competing against the Warriors was Ashland-Greenwood's Barrett Kitrell, a 2027 offensive line target for Nebraska. The Huskers had offered Kitrell six days earlier.

Ashland-Greenwood took down Lincoln Lutheran 53-33, improving to 13-0 on the season and remaining one of the top teams in Class C1. Kitrell earned the start for the Bluejays Friday night, less than a day after picking up his seventh Division I offer, from Kansas State. In attendance with Rhule was Damon Benning, the Huskers Radio Network football analysist and father of Husker safety Caleb Benning.

Nebraska’s Matt Rhule and is in attendance at Lincoln Lutheran vs Ashland-Greenwood basketball game tonight.

There to see recently offered 2027 Ashland-Greenwood lineman Barrett Kitrell. pic.twitter.com/2jf7Qz5kVh
— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) January 17, 2026

Nebraska extended a scholarship offer on Jan. 10 to Kitrell, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound Class of 2027 offensive lineman from Ashland. Kitrell also has offers from South Dakota State, Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State and Iowa.

Kitrell visited a number of schools through his junior season, stopping at South Dakota State, Wyoming, Iowa State, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Has two generations' worth of family ties to the Huskers, as his brother Bo was a Nebraska fullback and tight end from 2014-18 and their father, Barry, was a Husker fullback from 1984-88.

In addition, Barrett's brother Blake was a Tulsa wide receiver, while brothers Brett and Bryce played at Ohio, having been recruited by Frank Solich.

Ashland-Greenwood offensive lineman Barrett Kitrell on his recruitment visit to Nebraska football. — Ashland-Greenwood offensive lineman Barrett Kitrell on his recruiting visit to Nebraska football. | Barrett Kitrell, X (@BarretK54)

Barrett Kitrell is a three-sport athlete for Ashland-Greenwood, competing in football, basketball, and track and field. He has seen varsity action in all three seasons of his football career, playing in 33 games. The Bluejays have won playoff games each of the past three seasons, advancing to the Class C1 semifinals this past year.

While Kitrell is being recruited as an interior offensive lineman, he had 18 tackles as a defensive lineman last fall, including four for loss. He's recorded eight tackles for loss with two sacks and a forced fumble over his three varsity seasons while amassing 46 career stops.

Kitrell could add athleticism to the offensive line, as he finished second in the Class B discus as a sophomore and fourth in the shot put. On the basketball court, Kitrell averaged four points and four rebounds per game last season as the Bluejays claimed the Class C1 championship. He is posting similar numbers this season while helping Ashland-Greenwood to its perfect start.

Nebraska offensive line coach Geep Wade during a December 2025 practice for the Las Vegas Bowl. — Nebraska offensive line coach Geep Wade | Nebraska Athletics

Kitrell became the 16th interior offensive line offer for Nebraska's 2027 class last week. The Huskers have begun a massive overhaul of their offensive line, beginning with the hiring of O-line coach Geep Wade after moving on from Donovan Raiola. Wade has been retooling his line in early 2026 with transfer portal additions, bringing in Iowa State's Brendan Black, South Carolina's Tree Babalade and LSU's Paul Mubenga.

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