JUST IN: Nebraska Announces Double Signing as Isaac Gifford Continues Roster Rebuild…
Lincoln, NE – April 18, 2025 — The Nebraska Cornhuskers are making moves. In a statement released Friday afternoon, Nebraska officially announced the double signing of two highly touted recruits as team leader Isaac Gifford continues his focused effort to rebuild the roster heading into the upcoming season.
The dual additions — linebacker Marcus Tillman Jr. from Texas and wide receiver Kaden Brooks out of Florida — signal a bold step in the program’s revitalization. Both players bring speed, discipline, and a hunger to make an immediate impact, fitting Gifford’s vision for a tougher, faster Nebraska squad.
Isaac Gifford, a senior safety and vocal leader of the team, has taken on a unique role during the offseason. With the coaching staff embracing a more player-driven culture, Gifford has stepped up as a bridge between the locker room and recruiting efforts, helping shape the team’s identity not just on the field, but in the minds of future Huskers.
“Rebuilding a program is never just about the coaches,” Gifford said during a brief media availability. “It’s about the guys in the locker room buying in and setting the tone. These signings show that Nebraska isn’t waiting around. We’re building something right now.”
Tillman, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker from Arlington, turned down offers from Alabama, USC, and Texas A&M to join the Huskers. Known for his closing speed and high football IQ, he’s expected to compete for snaps immediately. Meanwhile, Brooks, a 4-star receiver with blistering 4.38 speed, brings game-breaking potential to an offense still searching for explosive playmakers.
Head coach Matt Rhule praised Gifford’s leadership, noting that the senior’s influence in the recruiting process has helped attract the right type of player to the program.
“Isaac has been instrumental,” Rhule said. “Not many players are as respected in the locker room and among recruits as he is. When recruits talk to him, they see the passion, the belief, and the standard he holds for this team.”
This double signing comes as Nebraska eyes a bounce-back season. Following a year that saw glimpses of progress but ultimately ended below expectations, the Cornhuskers are aiming for more than just bowl eligibility — they want to restore the winning tradition that once made them a national powerhouse.
And while there’s still plenty of offseason ahead, fans are already seeing the changes. The intensity in spring practices has picked up, the energy around the program feels different, and the message is clear: Nebraska is no longer stuck in rebuilding mode. They’re moving forward — and fast.
As Isaac Gifford puts it, “We’re not just trying to fix things. We’re trying to build a culture that lasts.”
With more roster moves expected in the coming weeks, it’s clear that the Huskers aren’t done yet. But one thing is certain — under Gifford’s leadership, the rebuild is well underway.
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