Jabari Watkins, one of the more intriguing talents in the 2027 recruiting class, announced Thursday that he’s decommitted from Nebraska - a move that reshapes the early outlook of the Huskers’ future recruiting haul.
Watkins, a four-star wide receiver out of Thomasville, Georgia, originally committed to Nebraska back in September. But as the season unfolded, his connection to the class felt more peripheral than central. And now, just a few months later, he’s back on the open market.
What makes this decommitment especially notable is how it started. Watkins never visited Lincoln before pledging to the Huskers, choosing them over other offers from Cal, Florida State, and Illinois. It was a surprise commitment at the time, and now it’s a surprise exit.
Make no mistake - Watkins is a high-upside prospect. Ranked No. 208 nationally in the 2027 class by 247Sports, he just capped off a championship-winning season with Thomas County Central in Georgia.
His team rolled to a 62-21 victory in the state title game, and Watkins played a key role in that offensive explosion. According to MaxPreps, he finished the season with 57 catches for 882 yards and 11 touchdowns - a strong follow-up to his sophomore campaign, where he posted 692 yards on 39 receptions.
His departure is a hit to Nebraska’s 2027 class, which had been shaping up as one of the best in the nation. With Watkins on board, the Huskers were sitting at No. 5 nationally. That ranking was bolstered by the commitments of quarterback Trae Taylor and wide receiver Tory Pittman III, both four-star talents in their own right.
Still, there’s reason for optimism in Lincoln. Head coach Matt Rhule has been vocal about his excitement for the 2027 and 2028 classes. With the Huskers’ upgraded facilities now fully operational and a strong summer of relationship-building behind them, Nebraska remains well-positioned to stay competitive on the recruiting trail - even with a few bumps along the way.
Taylor, the class’s peer recruiter and centerpiece at quarterback, continues to be a vocal leader in the group. His commitment remains firm, and his belief in what Rhule is building hasn’t wavered.
“We're ready to get here. We want to win again,” Taylor said recently.
“We just want to keep building off the boys, where a lot of those players got us now. They are a reason why we are able to build and Coach Rhule has done a great job and overall it's been an amazing experience every time I come back.”
Watkins’ decommitment is a reminder of how fluid recruiting can be - especially this far out from signing day. But with a strong foundation already in place and momentum continuing to build, Nebraska’s long-term vision under Rhule remains intact.