The offseason roller coaster in Lincoln isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Just days after Andy Burburija gave his verbal commitment to Nebraska, there’s growing momentum that the highly touted JUCO defensive tackle could be flipping to Clemson. And for a Huskers program trying to shore up a shaky defensive front, this one would sting.
Let’s break it down.
Burburija committed to Nebraska five days ago, but because he’s coming from the junior college ranks-not the transfer portal-he can’t officially sign until National Signing Day next month. That delay has opened the door for other programs to keep pushing, and Clemson, led by Dabo Swinney, has apparently made the most of that window.
According to recruiting analyst Chris Hummer, the Tigers have surged in their pursuit, and on Saturday morning, Hummer officially predicted Burburija would flip to Clemson. If that happens, Nebraska would lose a major piece in what was shaping up to be a critical addition to their 2026 defensive rebuild.
This wouldn’t be the first time Nebraska has been burned late in the process this offseason. Earlier this month, quarterback Kenny Minchey, a former Notre Dame signal-caller, committed to the Huskers on a Sunday-only to decommit the next day and sign with Kentucky. Now, with Burburija potentially heading the same way, it’s déjà vu in the worst way.
Burburija’s recruitment has already been a winding path. He originally committed to Kansas State but backed off after a coaching change.
Nebraska appeared to benefit from that situation, but now it’s Clemson making a late push. What’s puzzling is that Burburija visited Clemson before he visited Nebraska.
So if anything, the Huskers seemed to have closed strong-only for things to shift again in the days since.
At 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, Burburija isn’t just another body on the line. He’s a JUCO All-American who put up eye-popping numbers at Iowa Western: 45 tackles, 11 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for loss in just 12 games this past season.
Across two years, he totaled 78 tackles, 14 sacks, and 27.5 TFLs. That’s production Nebraska desperately needs after a 2025 campaign where their defensive front struggled to generate consistent pressure or stop the run.
If he flips, it won’t just be a recruiting miss-it’ll be a missed opportunity to plug a glaring hole with a proven disruptor.
For now, the Huskers still have time to hold onto Burburija before signing day, but the pressure is on. The staff will need to work overtime to keep him in the fold. Because if he ends up in orange and purple instead of scarlet and cream, Nebraska will be left wondering how they let another key piece slip through their fingers.