Wide receiver Jeremiah Charles commits to Nebraska

One week ago, Jeremiah Charles was all set to wrap up a commitment to hometown school North Texas. Everything changed when Nebraska came calling with a scholarship offer.

After taking an official visit to Lincoln, Charles saw what he needed to announce his commitment to Nebraska on Monday.

“Basically as soon as I stepped foot into Nebraska I was already thinking about committing, and as soon as we got to the facilities I knew for sure I was coming here,” Charles said.

Nebraska likely wouldn’t have gone after Charles if not for the recommendation of his former high school coach. Charles played his senior year for NU tight ends coach Bob Wager at Arlington (Texas) Martin, totaling 23 catches for 452 yards and five touchdowns.

An unranked prospect on all major recruiting services, Charles is the type of high-upside player Nebraska has gone after at its skill positions. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound wideout also has a track and field background, but it’s in the triple jump as opposed to sprinting events. Instead, Charles is more of a possession target with a big catch radius than a pure sprinter at wide receiver.

Charles said he enjoyed getting to know wide receivers coach Garret McGuire while on the visit, and the positive energy from the Nebraska coaching staff helped him know it was the right place for him.

“There was just great energy the whole time I was there,” Charles said. “All the coaches want to build relationships with you on a personal level and that’s what I want. It just felt like home.”

Even in one season of high school football, Charles’ tape shows his athletic ability to run past defensive backs and move well after the catch. Route-running will be one aspect that needs development, but Nebraska clearly believes in Charles’ future potential in the offense.

A three-sport athlete, Charles is currently in the midst of a basketball season that he hopes will end in a state championship. As for track and field, his senior season won’t be the final time he competes in the triple jump, either — Charles spoke with Nebraska about having the opportunity to triple jump in college as well.

Charles is Nebraska’s fifth wide receiver commit in its 2023 recruiting class and 25th addition from the high school ranks overall. His high school teammate, Ismael Smith Flores, announced his commitment to Nebraska on Monday as well.

“The fanbase is already crazy, and I can’t wait to put on for the fans and my family,” Charles said. “I just want to really show them that these Texas boys are tough.”