Nebraska basketball is riding high right now - and not just because of their spotless 19-0 record. The Huskers are winning on the court and in the recruiting game, with two of their 2026 signees, Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier, continuing to make waves in the latest 247Sports rankings.
Both Rice and Lanier held onto their four-star status in the updated rankings released Thursday, with Rice coming in at No. 79 nationally and Lanier climbing six spots to No. 93. These aren’t dramatic jumps or drops, but they’re a sign that the early evaluations on these two standouts are holding strong - and in Lanier’s case, even gaining momentum.
The Huskers didn’t need a rankings bump to validate what they already believed. Fred Hoiberg and his staff locked in both players back in November, well before Nebraska’s current surge up the national rankings. And from the sound of it, these signings weren’t just about adding talent - they were about fit.
“We are pleased to add both Colin and Jacob to our program,” Hoiberg said at the time of their signings. “It was a priority to find shooting, playmaking and positional size with the number of seniors we have on our roster, and both players can flourish in our system with their respective skillsets.”
Let’s break that down a bit.
Jacob Lanier is a classic combo guard - versatile, tough, and capable of impacting the game on both ends. Hoiberg has praised his ability to defend multiple positions, but what really stands out is Lanier’s edge. He’s got that competitive fire, the kind of player who takes the court with something to prove.
“He’s a winner who plays with a chip on his shoulder,” Hoiberg said. “We are excited to get him on campus.”
Lanier himself was drawn to Nebraska’s style of play - an unselfish, fluid offense where the ball moves and everyone’s involved. That connection to the team’s identity stood out to him even before the Huskers went on this unbeaten tear.
“Every player is a willing passer. It looks beautiful,” Lanier said.
“In practice and the games, everything is executed perfectly. They are getting a guy with a high motor.
I am going to do anything it takes to win. I am going to come in from the jump and be confident and active.”
That mindset - high motor, team-first, fearless - is exactly what Nebraska’s culture is built on right now. It’s not hard to see why the staff is excited about Lanier’s potential fit.
Then there’s Colin Rice, a versatile wing who brings a complete offensive game. He can score at all three levels, run pick-and-roll, and stretch the floor with his shooting. Hoiberg highlighted Rice’s body control and length as key tools that allow him to navigate tight spaces and contribute on the glass and defensively.
“He can facilitate offense, play in the pick and roll game and can space the floor with his shooting,” Hoiberg said. “Colin has very good body control for his size and that helps him play through tight spaces and the length to rebound and make an impact on the defensive end.”
Rice backed that up in a big way recently, dropping 33 points in front of Hoiberg during a high school game. That kind of performance - especially with your future head coach watching - says a lot about how ready he is for the next level.
Adam Finkelstein, director of basketball scouting for CBS Sports, echoed that sentiment, calling Rice “one of the very best shooters around” and a player who could thrive in a more advanced offensive system.
Put it all together, and Nebraska’s not just building for the present - they’re stacking real pieces for the future. With Rice and Lanier in the fold, the Huskers are adding two high-IQ, high-motor players who fit the system and bring the kind of edge that’s helped fuel this 19-0 start.
The rankings are just one piece of the puzzle. But when your recruits are staying strong - or even rising - while your program is climbing the national ladder, it’s a sign that things are aligning in Lincoln. And if this is what the future looks like, Husker fans have every reason to be excited.