.COSTA MESA, Calif.– Nebraska quarterback dedicate TJ Lateef is actually taking his senior high school crew to brand new heights, a couple of months just before he enlists in Lincoln as part of a sponsor class that he anticipates to accomplish the same for Matt Rhule’s Huskers.Lateef, a four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite, directed Orange Lutheran High School to a 42-20 triumph on Friday evening over Junipero Serra. Lateef made up 3 touchdowns as well as helped Orange Lutheran eradicate a second-half rally after Serra reduced a 28-point halftime deficiency to eight.Orange Lutheran, 8-3, is rated 16th nationally by MaxPreps. It will certainly play No.
7 St. John Bosco following week in the institution’s first-ever appearance in the CIF-Southern Area Department 1 semifinal sphere. The winner might experience No.
1 Mater Dei in the championship round.Lateef, 6 feet 1 1/2 inches and also 195 pounds, said he’s “one hundred percent secured” on Nebraska in front of the begin of the early signing period on Dec. 4. He’s a feature in the Huskers’ 20-member lesson that stands 20th across the country after the flip on Thursday of four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt from Alabama to Nebraska.” Our experts’re going to receive a pair much more guys (to turn),” Lateef mentioned Friday night.
“We are actually going to shock the world.” Nebraska continues to function to flip Millard South limited end Chase Loftin from Florida Condition. Loftin, a four-star possibility, helped his Omaha crew receive Nebraska’s Training class A champion along with a gain on Friday night. It will experience two-time defending champion Omaha Westside at Memorial Arena.
Four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills of Home, Fla., an Oklahoma devote, also continues to be an intended of the Huskers.Nebraska assistant Keith Williams watched Lateef on Friday evening at Orange Coast University. Orange Lutheran dove out to a 28-0 top as Lateef scored on a 12-yard run and also connected for 22 lawns with Arizona Condition tight end commit AJ Ia.Adversity attacked for Orange Lutheran in the 3rd fourth as Serra, behind quarterback Ryan Hopkins, a 2026 target of many Big 10 courses, led a comeback. Lateef exited the game for one play in the third one-fourth along with a leg accident, but he came back to send two goal pushes in the fourth quarter, mastering a protector to hit completion region coming from 4 lawns out for the ultimate score.” I just must always keep the guys cleared up, and also our experts took momentum back,” Lateef said.
“I’m consistently visiting remain tranquil. Keep the exact same person in the hardest opportunities.” Lateef devoted to Nebraska in May after his April browse through for the springtime activity. He’s kept solid to the Huskers through a memorable join Lincoln that consisted of the appearance of correct fresher Dylan Raiola as the best QB as well as the adjustment at repulsive coordinator, with Dana Holgorsen participating in the plan in very early November and taking control of as the play customer this week.Williams and quarterbacks instructor Glenn Thomas have actually sustained frequent connect with throughout the period with Lateef, who’s tossed for greater than 2,000 gardens as a senior.Lateef has not yet visited with Holgorsen.
Rhule said recently he wish to maintain the past scalp trainer at West Virginia and Houston on personnel to work the Nebraska offense in 2025. Of Raiola, Lateef pointed out, “I recognize Dylan. He’s an excellent regulation football gamer.
However my opportunity is actually mosting likely to arrive. I’ll use and contend and also permit the rest participate in out. One point about me, I’m not heading to duck competitors.
He’s a great football gamer. But I am, as well.” Lateef said he prepares to enroll at Nebraska in January.Required analysis( Photograph: Mitch Sherman/ The Athletic).