The claim that four-star running back DeZephen Walker from Peculiar, Missouri, committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2026 class is inaccurate based on verified sources. Multiple reports, including those from Sooners Wire, Yahoo Sports, and On3, confirm that Walker, ranked as the No. 18 running back in the 2026 cycle by Rivals and No. 25 by On3, committed to the Oklahoma Sooners on June 16, 2025, after an official visit to Norman. Despite Nebraskaโs strong recruitment efforts, Walker chose Oklahoma over the Huskers, Kansas State, Notre Dame, and others, making this reported commitment to Nebraska a false narrative.
Walker, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound prospect from Raymore-Peculiar High School, is a dynamic talent with 26 Power Four offers, including nine from SEC schools like Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee. His junior season statsโ957 yards and eight touchdowns on 176 carries, per MaxPrepsโhighlight his explosiveness, with great vision, lateral agility, and breakaway speed. Nebraska was a serious contender, hosting Walker for an elite junior day in January 2024 and an official visit on June 20, 2025. Rivals.com reported that Walker valued the Huskersโ coaching staff, particularly running backs coach EJ Barthel, for building a tight relationship with his family. Nebraskaโs ties to Raymore-Peculiar, home of current Husker Jaidyn Doss, and assistant coach Jamar Mozeeโs Kansas City connections further strengthened their pitch.
However, Oklahomaโs late entry into Walkerโs recruitment, with an offer on May 9, 2025, proved decisive. Coaches DeMarco Murray and Ben Arbuckle impressed Walker during his visit, securing his pledge. On3 ranks Oklahomaโs 2026 class No. 17 nationally, with Walker as their first running back commit, while Nebraskaโs class, with four commitments at the time, remains unranked. Walkerโs decision aligns with Oklahomaโs rising recruiting momentum under Brent Venables, who outmaneuvered Nebraska despite the Huskersโ aggressive pursuit, including an in-home visit in May 2025, as noted by Husker Corner.
For Nebraska, missing out on Walker is a setback but not a fatal blow. The Huskers, under Matt Rhule, have prioritized running back depth, landing four-star Jamarion Parker for 2025 and boasting a 2025 roster with talents like Emmett Johnson and Gabe Ervin Jr. Rhuleโs 9-4 season and No. 25 ranking in 2025 show progress, and the addition of Ndamukong Suh as an assistant coach could boost recruiting for 2026. However, failing to secure a top Missouri prospect like Walker, especially after losing another four-star running back, Brian Bonner, to other programs, underscores the competitive recruiting landscape.
The false claim of Walkerโs Nebraska commitment likely stems from speculation fueled by his planned visit to Lincoln or social media buzz, as seen on X, where fans hyped Nebraskaโs chances. While Walkerโs skill set would have fit Nebraskaโs run-heavy offense, his commitment to Oklahoma redirects the Huskersโ focus to other 2026 targets like Jackson Cantwell and Vance Spafford. Nebraskaโs recruiting resilience will be tested, but Rhuleโs vision keeps the program on track for future success.
