BREAKING: No. 1 Overall Recruit David Sanders Jr. Stuns College Football, Flips Commitment to Nebraska
In a seismic recruiting earthquake that instantly redefines the trajectory of a program, David Sanders Jr., the nation’s consensus top-ranked offensive tackle and No. 1 overall player for the 2025 class, has announced his de-commitment from the Georgia Bulldogs and will instead sign with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The decision, delivered in a live announcement from his high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, marks the most monumental recruiting victory of the modern era for Nebraska and sends shockwaves through the college football landscape.
Sanders, a generational 6-foot-6, 290-pound tackle with unparalleled athleticism and technique, had been committed to Kirby Smart’s two-time national champion Georgia Bulldogs since the summer. His pledge was seen as the crown jewel of another loaded Georgia class, a foundational piece for their continued dominance in the trenches. However, the tireless, relationship-driven pursuit by Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and offensive line coach Donovan Raiola—culminating in a transformative official visit for the Ohio State game—ultimately forged a new path.
“Georgia is a phenomenal program, and I have the utmost respect for Coach Smart,” Sanders stated. “But after my visit to Lincoln, I couldn’t shake the feeling. The belief, the passion of that fanbase, and the detailed vision Coach Rhule and Coach Raiola have for my development and for building something historic… it’s different. I want to be the cornerstone of that. I want to help bring Nebraska back to the mountaintop.”
The ramifications are program-altering. For Nebraska, this is a watershed moment that validates Matt Rhule’s entire rebuild. Landing a player of Sanders’ caliber—a projected franchise left tackle—signals to the entire country that Nebraska is not just improving; it is a destination for the absolute best. His commitment acts as a powerful magnet for other elite offensive skill players and linemen, instantly catapulting the Huskers’ 2025 class into the national top 10 and providing tangible proof that “The Pipeline” is officially back open for business.
For Georgia, the loss is a stunning and rare defeat on the recruiting trail under Kirby Smart. Losing the nation’s premier player, especially an offensive lineman, to a program outside the current elite tier is a shocking development that will reverberate through the SEC.
Nationally, this flip is a testament to the potent combination of Matt Rhule’s proven development model, Nebraska’s unmatched tradition and fan support, and the power of a singular, focused recruiting pitch. It proves that in the NIL era, a compelling legacy project can compete with and defeat the allure of established championship factories.
By securing David Sanders Jr., Matt Rhule hasn’t just landed an elite offensive tackle; he has secured a symbol. Sanders is a living, breathing declaration that Nebraska football is once again a viable threat on the national stage. The message is clear: The sleeping giant in Lincoln is wide awake, armed with the nation’s top recruit, and ready to rebuild college football’s most famous pipeline brick by brick. The foundation for a return to glory just got a whole lot stronger.
