Sometimes, it really is about who you know rather than what you know. Not to undermine Matt Rhule’s credentials- The current Nebraska Cornhuskers HC has heaps of experience ranging from the collegiate game to the pros. He has served the game in a plethora of roles and built relationships on the way. His service seems to be coming full circle now. Not only as a coach, but over on the recruitment front as well.

A 5-5 season for Nebraska so far has left fans rueing for an upturn next season. They may well be getting their wishes based on the program’s recent activity. Nebraska has managed to flip 4-star Linebacker recruit Dawson Merritt from under the noses of Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. It is Matt Rhule and his endearing nature that set things in motion.

Dawson Merritt appeared on the Carriker Chronicles YouTube channel for an interview with former Husker Adam Carriker. When asked what role, if any, Matt Rhule played in his decision, Dawson said, “So basically, Matt Rhule and my dad coached together at the New York Giants back in the early 2000s. So they’ve always had a relationship. if I’m being honest with you, that was the one thing that really had me and my family’s minds set on taking a trip to Lincoln and seeing Matt Rhule”. “[My dad] spoke very highly of him so I mean that was just an initial thing that helped us go to Nebraska and take a visit in the first place”.

Dawson is the son of KC Chiefs’ DB coach Dave Merritt. Dave and Matt crossed paths in their careers when Rhule was an assistant OL coach at the Giants in 2012. Dave Merritt served on the Giants staff from 2004 to 2017. Rhule evidently left an impression during his short stint in the Big Apple. He is now bearing the fruit of his labor, no pun intended!

With his formative years spent around football, Dawson has developed into a very capable athlete in his own right. He has 58 tackles (including 42 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 4 pass break-ups so far in his senior year at Blue Valley HS. With various schools chasing Dawson, he has seemingly locked himself with the Huskers. Fans would be delighted to know he already shares a bond with a star player.

Dawson Merritt’s unlikely friendship with Huskers’ star

The camaraderie between a quarterback and a linebacker is not something you expect. Those positions give off “mortal enemies” vibes. Future teammates Dylan Raiola and Dawson Merritt are seemingly thwarting that notion. 

“My first time visiting Nebraska [Raiola] basically just took [to] me. Because his dad played in the league and my dad coached in the league they had a little tiny bit of a connection…Dylan just immediately took me under his wing. I went to his dorm, he was my host on my OV. He texts me all the time, he texts my parents as well. [Raiola] tried really hard to land me at Nebraska.”

With Raiola and the offensive side of the ball undergoing transition, Dawson would hope to slide into the defense quickly. Year 3 of the Matt Rhule era is shaping up to be a better one. For now, Nebraska are still striving for bowl-eligibility as they prepare to host the Wisconsin Badgers this weekend.