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Nebraska Secures Commitment from Former 4-Star Linebacker in Transfer Portal

Iowa State's Will Hawthorne has committed to the Huskers, who pursued him a year ago when he was a high school prospect.
Trevor Tarr|
Will Hawthorne was a four-star recruit in the 2025 class and redshirted at Iowa State before entering the transfer portal.
Will Hawthorne was a four-star recruit in the 2025 class and redshirted at Iowa State before entering the transfer portal. | @WillHawthorne10/X

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On a recruit that Nebraska vetted heavily out of high school, the second time is the charm for a linebacker with four years of eligibility remaining.

On Tuesday afternoon, Will Hawthorne, formerly of Iowa State, committed to the Big Red. His addition marks the fourth via the transfer portal since it opened just five days ago, and gives the Huskers their second new player at linebacker.

For Nebraska fans who follow high school recruiting, the linebacker from Gilbert, Iowa, might be a familiar name. Heavily pursued by the Huskers, he took an official visit to Lincoln as a Class of 2025 prospect, but he ultimately chose to stay close to home after finishing his high school career.

During his senior season, the multi-sport athlete was the 2024 MaxPreps Iowa High School Football Player of the Year. This fall, as he warmed up to the life of a college student-athlete, Hawthorne redshirted for Iowa State and did not play in a game. But don't let that distract you from how big a win this is for Matt Rhule's staff.

After the groundwork of the relationship was built the previous year, when Hawthorne decided to enter the portal, he immediately became a player linked to Nebraska. Having a long-standing relationship with Husker linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek, it didn't take long for the redshirt freshman to schedule a visit to Lincoln.

After the 19-year-old hit campus, it likely didn't take long for the commitment to be made. And for the Huskers' staff, it probably wasn't hard to welcome the promising young athlete onto their squad.

On Hawthorne's high school tape, speed and physicality are what stand out the most. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, he could work his way into Nebraska's defensive rotation as early as this fall.

With a confirmed time of 10.82 in the 100-meter dash, Hawthorne's speed, mixed with the frame he's already been able to mold, makes him one of the most intriguing pieces on a new-look defense.

On Monday, Nebraska secured its first defensive portal addition in Owen Chambliss. Like Hawthorne, the former San Diego State linebacker was an underclassman this fall. Even so, Chambliss earned First Team All-Mountain West honors in 2025. In 13 games this season, the California native amassed 110 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 pass breakups, and an interception.

The additions of Chambliss and Hawthorne offer the Huskers much-needed reinforcements at linebacker. After the 2025 season, Nebraska lost three starting-caliber defenders in the second line of defense. Seniors Javin Wright, Dasan McCullough and Marques Watson-Trent all saw their eligibility expire.

Now, it's clear that Rob Aurich, who takes over play-calling duties for Nebraska's defense in 2026, has several new defenders who can help stop the run. The Huskers appear to be waiting on confirmation of decisions from several other high-level defenders in the coming days, including multiple members of Aurich's 2025 defense at San Diego State.

Nebraska's Dawson Merritt (44), Ceyair Wright (1) & Vincent Shavers (9) tackle Northwestern receiver Griffin Wilde, 2025.
Nebraska defenders Vincent Shavers and Dawson Merritt help take down a Northwestern wide receiver. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Other players in the Huskers' linebacker room who will likely see extended opportunities in 2026 include will-be junior Vincent Shavers and soon-to-be sophomore Dawson Merritt. Shavers has seen action in 26 games, totaling 86 career tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Merritt, who played in eight games for Nebraska this fall, earned the first two starts of his career against Michigan State and Maryland. He ended his true freshman season with eight tackles, with one for loss.

Though the Huskers lost major amounts of production from the linebacker room after this fall, replacing them with proven and promising portal additions is exactly what Nebraska needed to do.

For now, Nebraska fans can celebrate another addition to the roster. But don't be surprised if more news comes later in the day. Even though it might seem it has been open for weeks, the transfer portal window is just in its fifth day. With the closing not occurring until Jan. 16, Nebraska remains in contention for over a dozen more prospects across several positions of need. Hawthorne wasn't the first, and he won't be the last. But until then, welcome the newest addition to the roster.

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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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