Wrestling: MatScouts’ First-Call List for the 2026 Class - Nebraska Edition

Over at MatScouts, Willie Saylor does some of the most in-depth recruiting coverage in the wrestling world and he put together a really cool segment that listed “First Calls” for a bunch of programs regarding the 2026 recruiting class — including Nebraska.

For those who don’t know, in wrestling, college coaches are prohibited from contacting recruits until the summer after their sophomore years in high school. That day is Saturday, June 15 this year.

So, I’m going to give a little bit of detail on each of the guys Willie named as wrestlers Nebraska needs to contact to start its 2026 recruiting class.

Jayden James

Delbarton, NJ

Ranked #11 on MatScouts’ 2026 Big Board, James would be my first call. His uncle is Nebraska’s running backs coach E.J. Barthel, making him a no-brainer prospect.

James is ranked #5 in the country at 138 pounds currently but will probably be wrestling closer to 150 or 157 pounds this year — he just competed last weekend at the Boys Ultimate Club Duals at 69 kg (152 pounds). James competed for Team Kong United alongside Nebraska’s two 2025 commits Tyler Eise and Cade Ziola. I’d imagine there was plenty of peer recruiting going on last weekend.

In that dual tournament, James helped lead Kong to the tournament title, going 6-0. In his biggest match of the weekend, James beat top-ranked 150-pounder Kollin Rath 8-3. Rath, a Missouri commit, has multiple wins over Kody Routledge, the commit Nebraska just lost to Oklahoma State. In his other five matches, James outscored his opponents 55-0, ending four of the matches via tech and another via pinfall when he was up 10-0 in just 48 seconds.

A 2023 16U Fargo National Champion in Freestyle at 132 pounds (watch that final below), James was a state finalist as a sophomore, losing his only match of the year in the state final — he finished his year with a 37-1 record in New Jersey, one of the best states in the country in high school wrestling.

As you can see, James has some dynamic offense, especially his super slick duck-unders. Defensively, he’s really hard to score on with some wonderful scrambling ability and he chain-wrestles very well.

Willie’s thoughts on James — “I love the potential fit of New Jersey’s Fargo Champ, #11-Jayden James. He projects to somewhere in the 165 to 184 range where Nebraska has been really good. It also doesn’t hurt that his uncle is the Huskers Running Backs Coach.”

Being a kid with a long frame who’s obviously growing going into his junior season, James could end up anywhere between 165 and 184 in college. He’d be an incredible way to start the 2026 class for Nebraska.

Aaron Stewart

Warren, Ill

Another Fargo 16U freestyle national champion, Stewart is ranked by MatScouts at #8 for the class of 2026. He’s also ranked #8 in the country at 157 pounds (he’s the top-ranked sophomore). Steward won his Fargo title last year at 160 pounds.

As a sophomore this past season, Stewart won his first Illinois 3A state title at 157 pounds and was a finalist at the Cheesehead and Walsh Ironman, two of the toughest folkstyle tournament in the country.

Just two months ago, Stewart won a title at the 16U Boys Folkstyle Nationals. You can watch that match below.

Willie’s thoughts on Stewart —“Stewart oozes athleticism and would be another classic Husker 57/65.”

Nebraska has some good depth at 157 and 165 right now but will need a high-caliber guy in the 2026 class to possibly take over for Antrell Taylor when he expires his eligibility in 2027. Stewart would be a great addition to the room and would fit the mold that Nebraska likes there — explosive, athletic and powerful.

Antonio Mills

Stone Mountain, GA

Ranked #10 in the class of 2026 Big Board, Mills is already a two-time Georgia 7A state champion and two-time NHSCA champion. As a freshman, he won at 113 pounds before winning again as a sophomore at 120. You can watch him win his second state title below.

With a long frame, Mills will likely be a 141 or 149-pounder in college. In all reality, he’d be a perfect replacement for Brock Hardy at 141 when he’s done wrestling for Nebraska after the 2025-26 season.

Mills has a great sprawl and really fast re-attacks to go along with a fast pace and some dynamic shots. He’d be a great guy to add to the lighter weights for the Huskers.

Willie’s thoughts on Mills — “And I’m drooling over Mills, who is among the most overlooked talents in the country.”

If Nebraska were somehow able to nab James, Stewart and Mills, it could be the start of a top-shelf class. All three guys would not only bring elite traits to the table, but would also fill needs for the Huskers.