Trae Taylor, a highly touted 2026 four-star linebacker out of St. Louis, has officially confirmed his next visit to Lincoln, Nebraska. Set to arrive on June 14, Taylor will be participating in Nebraska’s exclusive “Friday Night Lights” camp—a showcase for elite prospects under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Matt Rhule and his staff. But for Taylor, this trip isn’t just about competition. It’s about connection, clarity, and a very specific mission entrusted to him by his family and high school coach.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker is already a familiar name in recruiting circles, with offers from more than a dozen Power Five programs, including LSU, Missouri, Michigan, and Penn State. But it’s Nebraska that’s been making serious waves in his recruitment. Taylor visited the Huskers earlier in the spring, and something about the energy in Lincoln—the tempo of the practices, the bond among players, the straight-shooting nature of Coach Rhule—resonated with him.
“That visit stuck with me,” Taylor said in a recent interview. “There’s just a different feel in Lincoln. It’s like they’re building something real, something lasting.”
On June 14, he won’t just be competing—he’ll be evaluating. Taylor’s coach back at Cardinal Ritter College Prep gave him a specific task: study Nebraska’s linebacker room. Observe how the coaches teach. How the players respond. How the energy flows from the top down. The assignment? Report back with his gut feeling on whether Nebraska is the right fit—not just for him, but for others coming up behind him.
“He’s a leader in every sense of the word,” his coach said. “He’s not just looking at this for himself. He’s scouting the future.”
Taylor will also be spending one-on-one time with defensive coordinator Tony White and inside linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek. Nebraska is recruiting Taylor as a hybrid backer in their 3-3-5 scheme—a role that demands instinct, speed, and leadership. The Huskers see him as a potential future captain, and Taylor is intrigued by that vision.
“I like how they’d use me,” he said. “Not just a tackler, but a playmaker. They’d be turning me loose.”
Taylor’s trip will include film study sessions, player meetings, and a closer look at Nebraska’s new football facility. Perhaps most meaningful, though, is the private dinner he’s scheduled to have with Coach Rhule and key members of the defensive staff. It’s during that dinner, sources say, that Nebraska plans to make a significant pitch—not just about football, but about life after football. Career development. NIL strategy. Mental health resources.
As for a commitment? Taylor isn’t ready to pull the trigger yet. But this visit—complete with competition, observation, and reflection—could bring him closer.
“Nebraska is in a strong spot,” he admitted. “After this camp, I’ll know a lot more.”
June 14 could mark a turning point in the recruitment of Trae Taylor. Not just as a player—but as a future leader in the sport.
