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Less than one week after cornerback Danny Odem took on the honorary accolade, it’s Claude Mpouma who now headlines Nebraska’s current group of 2026 high school pledges.

Mpouma, a four-star offensive tackle prospect out of Chicago Mount Carmel, announced his commitment to Nebraska on Monday.

The Huskers beat out Auburn and Florida, schools which also hosted Mpouma for official visits this summer, alongside Michigan and Ohio State as the five finalists for the offensive lineman’s collegiate decision.

Nebraska’s ability to host Mpouma for his final official visit proved crucial for Matt Rhule and the Huskers, who had prioritized the offensive lineman as a top target this spring.

A strong relationship with his future position coach, Donovan Raiola, and an already positive impression of the Huskers' program was solidified by Mpouma's recent visit to Lincoln.

“I like the (Nebraska) coaching staff a lot and just the culture around the school,� Mpouma said prior to taking his official visit.

In Mpouma, Nebraska is getting a 6-foot-7, 308-pound lineman with the raw potential needed to become a starting tackle in the Big Ten, even if it’ll take several years of development to get there.

After all, football is a relatively new sport for Mpouma considering he grew up in Cameroon before moving to the United States as a teenager.

A background in soccer and basketball came before Mpouma ever stepped onto a football field, resulting in a level of footwork and athleticism which are rarely seen in 300-pound linemen.

Mpouma’s physical gifts were visible enough in his first season of high school football last fall that the scholarship offers quickly began rolling in, including from Nebraska.

While it could take time for Raiola to shape Mpouma into a future starter as he drills down the finer elements of offensive line play, the tackle prospect’s quick feet and change of direction will give him a solid base to build upon.

Mpouma’s decision meant Nebraska landed two offensive line targets in the same day, as he and Leon Noil Jr. joined Hayden Ainsworth and Rex Waterman as the Huskers' four-man offensive line class.

Nebraska football now has 11 committed players in its 2026 recruiting class overall.