Former five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri transfers from Missouri to Nebraska

Nebraska has landed one of its most high-profile transfers of the portal era in a former five-star prospect who fills an immediate team need.

Ex-Missouri defensive end Williams Nwaneri committed to the Huskers on Thursday afternoon after entering the portal earlier that morning.

He has four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting his first college season he appeared in four games and logged 38 defensive snaps and two tackles this fall.

The 6-foot-7, 255-pounder from the Kansas City area held offers from most top schools in college football as the nations No.

1 edge rusher in the 2024 class.

Nebraskas connection begins with senior football assistant Jamar Mozee, who was Nwaneris high school coach at Lees Summit North.

Mozee convinced the teenager to play football as a freshman and his stock soared soon after while playing for one of the areas top programs.

Nwaneri as a prep senior logged 50 tackles (13 for loss) in 11 games with 23 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles.

Mozee who once went through the recruiting process as a K.C.

high-school star running back and was part of Oklahomas 2000 national-title team served as one of Nwaneris central advisors during his recruitment.

Georgia and Oklahoma were the prospects other finalists then.

Being close to home and an extensive family of supporters was key in his evaluation.

I feel like he wasnt biased in any way, Nwaneri said of Mozee a year ago when he signed with Missouri.

He was coming from a place of caring about me.

I thank him a lot.

Mozee celebrated with Nwaneri at the time before leaving to join UCF in February 2024 as an off-field staffer.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule hired Mozee in July.

At Nwaneris signing ceremony last year, Mozee said the player had pro talent he flashed daily.

Youve got to be careful to say that as a high school coach but theres just not many kids like him, just being honest, Mozee said.

Physically, the way hes made, the way hes built.

Hes different than everybody Ive ever seen.

Nwaneri also played multiple seasons at Lees Summit North with incoming Nebraska receiver Isaiah Mozee, Jamars son.

The younger Mozee has said he leaned on Nwaneri at times during his own recruiting process that included navigating 40-plus offers.

Nwaneri drew national headlines as a prep senior when the state of Missouri passed a law allowing high schoolers to earn name-image-likeness benefits once theyve signed with a school.

The legislation applies only to Missouri residents.

Rhule this month praised Nebraskas formidable financial resources made available through its 1890 collective and whats coming with revenue sharing.

It allows the Huskers to be competitive with anyone for any player, he said.

That includes Nwaneri, who arrives as the Huskers reset their defensive line with a new position coach and different starters for the entire front.

We are officially now a have, Rhule said.

Were going to have more (resources) than most people in college football..

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