Priority Linebacker Target Breaks Down His Top 10

Four-star Dawson Merritt from the Kansas City area has multiple top-shelf programs pursuing him

Dawson Merritt is a four-star linebacker target that the Huskers and many other teams prioritize for their 2025 recruiting classes. 

See what the prospect from Blue Valley High in Overland Park, Kansas, had to say about each program his top 10 when he spoke to HuskerMax.

Nebraska: “Nebraska is a top school because of the fact that I feel connected with that coaching staff. I really have loved Coach (Rob) Dvoracek (linebackers coach), Coach (Evan) Cooper (secondary coach) and Coach (Matt) Rhule (head coach). What stands out is I talk to five-plus guys there, unlike other schools.”

Kansas: “Kansas is a top school because it’s a hometown school that is a really hot program right now in terms of winning, and I also feel I’ve built great relationships with guys there.”

Missouri: “Missouri is another hometown team that is also a top school in the SEC. They have shown me a huge family-type environment for me every time I visit. I have built more than great relationships with multiple coaches and guys from there.”

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma was one of my first offers, the first SEC offer that has believed in me from the jump and I have also built great relationships with coaches from that program! Soul Mission is also unlike anything I’ve heard from other schools.”

Alabama: “Alabama will be and always is Alabama. Winning school with a winning coaching staff is going to do nothing less than win. Me and Coach Robinson have built a great relationship and I really think he would do a great job developing me as a player and human, we clicked right away.”

USC: “They intrigue me because of the fact that USC has had so many electric players I think it would be really cool to build a great relationship with that school.”

Texas A&M: “Texas A&M is a top school because Coach Tony and Coach Spencer remind me of family, and I know they have the skills to improve me as a football player and a human being for 3-4 years.”

Florida State: “Best team in the ACC, with great coaching and culture. It’s been fun getting to learn about that school, and I really enjoy Coach JP”

Ole Miss: “Ole Miss is a top school because it’s another top-tier SEC school that has what seems to be a great head coach. I’ve learned a lot about academics, their weight room, and training facilities and they definitely intrigue me.”

Michigan: “Winning a program that just came off the national championship is the most exciting. I just met the new defensive coaching staff a couple of days ago so I’m excited to build that relationship and see where it goes.”