The Nebraska football team has been working hard on bringing in defensive prospects since the early signing day came and went. One of those targets, Brandon Mack had been thought to be one that could end up in Lincoln. He had previously been committed to Pittsburgh and had hosted a visit from defensive coordinator Erik Chinander at the end of November. This weekend, the defensive end announced he had picked another team he claims he'll be signing with come February 6 but it won't be a squad from the Big Ten. Turns out the 3-star prospect is committed to Ole Miss.

Nebraska football had steep hill

Brandon Mack had a total of 19 offers when he chose the Rebels as his new team of choice. While there had been some indication that the lineman had been having second thoughts about Pitt after Chinander visited with the player, it appears an Ole Miss coaching visit might have had the inside track.

Mack had a visit from the Ole Miss coaching staff on December 4. Two weeks later, the defensive end decided he hadn't made the right choice when he picked Pitt. Nine days later, he decided he was headed to Ole Miss. This appears to be one of those things where the Nebraska football team never had as much of a shot to land the player as it first appeared. That's just the way the recruiting cookie crumbles sometimes.

Loss of Brandon Mack is 'back to the drawing board' moment for Nebraska football

While the Huskers hadn't put all their chips on Mack, the loss of the defensive end continues to illustrate a problem when it comes to reeling in pass rushers. That's a bit more frustrating considering that the coaching staff has said often pass rushers are going to be a focus between December and February.

The loss of Mack means there are few options left when it comes to good pass rushers who stand a chance to start in 2019 and really compete against the best the Big Ten has to offer. The commitment to Ole Miss is also not the end of the story when it comes to the Nebraska football 2019 recruiting class.

There are still plenty of options out there at other positions. That includes spots in the defensive backfield like Noa Pola-Gates. Gates, by the way, has a cousin that is an accomplished pass rusher who is also looking at Nebraska. It's possible the Huskers could end up getting a bit of a package deal if they play their hand right. success now will depend on just how the Cornhuskers manage to finish out the 2019 recruiting class and move past these kinds of setbacks.
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