Add Nebraska to the list of schools trying to snag Zion Elee, the five-star EDGE player from Joppa, Maryland’s St. Frances Academy. He’s currently committed to Maryland, but the Cornhuskers are hoping to change that.
On Thursday, Nebraska officially threw their hat in the ring, offering Elee, who’s ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 On300. With this, he’s now got over 30 offers from top programs, thanks to Matt Rhule’s team joining the chase.
Nebraska is no rookie when it comes to courting high-profile recruits. Remember their pursuit of current quarterback Dylan Raiola? They also made a last-minute attempt to sign Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. but lost him to Tennessee.
Despite his commitment to Maryland, there’s still plenty of time left in Elee’s recruitment. Schools aren’t backing down on trying to woo the 6-foot-3 standout, even though he seems pretty set on staying with the Terrapins.
“Feeling great about Maryland, I’m committed there, I feel home,” Elee shared with On3’s Chad Simmons last month. “I’ve gained a better relationship with the coaches after committing, too. I’m in communication with them all, talking to them more, I’ve actually been down there after the commitment and they showed me a little more love.”
While Elee mentioned at the Under Armour All-America check-in that he wasn’t keen on unofficial visits, he did plan on taking official ones later this year. He named Penn State, Oregon, LSU, USC, and Alabama as schools still reaching out.
But guess what? An unofficial visit to Auburn is already scheduled for later this month. Nebraska is eager to join that list and hopes to get the five-star athlete to visit Lincoln.
The Huskers have already secured three commitments for their 2026 class: Winter Garden (Fla.) Windemere’s three-star cornerback CJ Bronaugh, Sioux Falls (S.D.) Washington’s three-star wide receiver Dveyoun Bonwell-Witte, and Buford (Ga.) three-star QB Dayton Raiola.
Elee Shines at All-America Game
It was no shocker that Elee wowed everyone again at the start of January during the Under Armour All-America Game. His explosive talent was clear as day, impressing On3’s Scouting and Rankings Team, who named him a top performer for the week in Florida.
According to On3 National Scout:
“Zion Elee showed why he ranks as On3’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle at Under Armour. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder was the most explosive pass rusher on hand, both in practice and the game. Elee’s elite combination of length and movement skills allowed him to win as a pass rusher all week long. He showed an advanced understanding of leverage and pass-rush ability during the 1-on-1 periods. We also saw him make plays as an edge setter, with strong hand usage during inside run and team periods throughout practice.
…He wrapped up his stellar performance by grabbing a sack, tackling for loss, and forcing a fumble during the game. Elee showcased all the physical and athletic traits that make him one of the most sought-after prospects in the country."
As the recruitment battles heat up, it’ll be interesting to see where Elee ultimately decides to play. Will Nebraska succeed in pulling him away from Maryland, or will he stay true to his commitment? Only time will tell.
