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'I'm Locked N': Trae Taylor Reaffirms Commitment to Nebraska Amid Coaching Uncertainty

With questions swirling in Lincoln, 2027 QB Trae Taylor delivers a massive win for the Huskers.

Trevor Tarr

2027 Quarterback Commit Trae Taylor ahead of high school game.
2027 Quarterback Commit Trae Taylor ahead of high school game. / @trae6taylor/Instagram
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The future of Nebraska football has dominated headlines throughout the week, but Husker Nation just got its biggest sign yet that head coach Matt Rhule isn’t going anywhere. After days of rumors and speculation surrounding Rhule’s future in Lincoln, borderline five-star quarterback prospect Trae Taylor announced he’s shutting down his recruitment, fully locking in his commitment to Nebraska.

While the 2027 signal-caller won’t officially sign until next December, the No. 35 overall recruit and fourth-ranked quarterback in his class made his stance clear, saying he’s “Locked ‘N’” with the Huskers.

In a week filled with uncertainty, Taylor’s decision delivers a much-needed win for Nebraska fans and could serve as a preview of what’s to come, perhaps even a statement of confidence in the man expected to remain his future head coach.

Taylor, in the midst of a prolific junior season that’s seen him lead the entire state of Illinois in total offense, looks every bit like Nebraska’s quarterback of the future under Matt Rhule. Through seven games, Taylor has totaled 2,421 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just two interceptions, production that ranks among the nation’s best.

After guiding his offense to over 48 points per game, Taylor’s stock has skyrocketed in recent weeks. Entering the fall as a top 150 prospect according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, the 6-foot-3 junior now sits comfortably inside the top 40 nationally, and he’s still climbing as the playoffs approach.

His growth has been evident. In his second season as QB1 for Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois, Taylor has taken a major step forward in both efficiency and command. He’s completed 120 of 151 passes, good for nearly 80 percent, while averaging more than 345 all-purpose yards per game. With numbers like that, and his “Locked ‘N’” announcement calming nerves across Husker Nation, Taylor’s trajectory has become a reflection of what Nebraska hopes to build in the coming years under Rhule.

Despite the national chatter surrounding Rhule’s future, Taylor’s reaffirmed commitment to Nebraska feels like the clearest sign yet that the Huskers’ head coach is hunkering down in Lincoln for the long haul. It’s not often Nebraska lands a quarterback of Taylor’s caliber, much less this early in the recruiting cycle, and his decision underscores the opportunity Rhule and his staff have built to sustain success right where they are.

While the move speaks volumes about both Rhule’s influence and Taylor’s trust, its ripple effect extends to the entire university. One word captures it best: stability. Three years into the Rhule era, Nebraska’s stock is rising fast. Fresh off their first AP Top 25 appearance since last fall, the Huskers are starting to turn belief into results, and the rest of the country is beginning to notice.

With the culture firmly in place, resources aligning, and a head coach fully in command of his program, Nebraska is positioning itself for something bigger than short-term success. The foundation has been laid, and the Huskers aren’t just chasing expectations anymore, believe it or not, they’re living up to them (to this point).

For now, Nebraska’s quarterback of the future has made his message clear. Amid the noise and uncertainty, Taylor’s decision to lock in with the Huskers speaks volumes, not just about his confidence in Rhule, but about the direction Nebraska football continues to move.

As the Huskers hit the road for a Friday night showdown against Minnesota, Taylor will do the same in his final regular-season road game of his junior year. Both find themselves squarely in the middle of an opportunity to handle business, and for now, Nebraska fans can rest easy knowing the Huskers are already celebrating a win this week. All that’s left is to produce the same result on the field tomorrow night.

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Trevor Tarr
TREVOR TARR

Trevor Tarr is the founder of Skers Scoop, a Nebraska football media outlet delivering original coverage through writing, graphics, and video content. He began his career in collegiate athletics at the University of South Dakota, producing media for the football team and assisting with athletic fundraising. A USD graduate with a background in journalism and sports marketing, Trevor focuses on creative, fan-driven storytelling in college football.

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