When a major program loses a key employer, Rivals.com looks at its impact on the respective school, analyzing it from the local and national levels. To quantify the “pain” of each uncommit, we give it a score of 1 to 10, with 1 being no big deal and 10 being a catastrophic hit.
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RELATED VIDEOS: Coleman discusses future after hiatus
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CLASS RATING OF 2023: Opponent250 | Team | position | State
CLASS RATING OF 2024: Opponent250 | Team | position | State
CLASS RATING 2025: Opponent100
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PLOT
Malachi Coleman made some early visits next season Nebraska and that’s a positive sign for Husker. But then the coach Frosty Scott was fired.
However, the high four-star athlete from Lincoln (Neb.) East continued to appear, even when Husker did not play well. He continues to show a genuine interest in the program and the interim coach Mickey Josephand by the end of October, Coleman committed to taking to the streets to study.
As the season dragged on at Lincoln, Coleman stuck to his commitment, but when Joseph was not retained as full-time coach (and then appalledly arrested after allegedly shoving and strangling him) a woman) and like Matt Rhule got the job, the state’s No. 1 player withdrew his commitment.
Nebraska still played a key role in his recruiting and as Coleman got to know Rhule and the new coaching staff at Lincoln. Husker could be back in the mix, but the high four-star prospect has hit the reset button on his hiring and now it could go either way.
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LOCAL RESPONSE
Nebraska is sure to lose some commitments once Rhule is hired. The group has done a surprisingly good job of keeping commitments within the group under Joseph.
There is no greater commitment in the 2023 class than Coleman, a four-star Rivals100 athlete. The Lincoln East Standout was in the nation’s best overall athlete discussion and earned a five-star spot. However, his close relationship with Joseph means that if he doesn’t get the full-time job his commitment will be shaken.
It’s hard to minimize the impact of losing Coleman from class. He is the highest rated lead by far. Coleman is also a native of Lincoln, and such leads don’t show up often in the state. As Rhule tries to kick off the show in Lincoln, it would be nice to start with a potential building block like Coleman. Rhule and company will certainly try to build a relationship with Coleman and his family but it will be difficult. – Greg Smith, InsideNebraska.com
Stinging Factor: 10
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NATIONAL RESPONSE
What’s surprising about Coleman’s decision is that during the deepest, darkest period of this season, he showed up in Lincoln, took in games and then committed when the team was down 3- 4. Nebraska finished 4-8 but Coleman remained steadfast with his decision. If Joseph is so important to Lincoln East’s prominence then it will be very difficult to bring Coleman back because after Joseph’s arrest, he will not return to the Nebraska staff. But Rhule is a convincing guy, and he should absolutely make Coleman a priority. And while every team in the country will race against Coleman, I still don’t count that Husker’s new hires can’t bring him back to class. – Adam Gorney, Rivals . national recruitment director
Stinging Factor: 9
