Tory Pittmann III announced a decision Friday afternoon that was more than two years in the making. Instead of doing a round of interviews about it, he celebrated with more weightlifting.
The Omaha Central defensive back pledged to Nebraska, marking a major commitment for the Huskers in the local safety who has become a national recruit in the 2027 cycle. He held 18 offers overall including finalists LSU and Tennessee and a list that includes a host of other power brands like Michigan, Oregon and Notre Dame.
“I’m excited,” Pittman told The World-Herald after coaches summoned him from Central’s weight room. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready to play.”
Pittman represents the biggest recruiting win by NU coach Matt Rhule – at least according to overall player ranking – outside of quarterback Dylan Raiola from the 2024 cycle. The “athlete” in label is the consensus No. 2 safety in the country and as high as the No. 23 overall prospect by 247 Sports and On3.
The 2024 sports composite considers him a five-star talent.
“He’s special,” Omaha Central coach Terrance Mackey said. “The physical, the mental – he has it all.”
Pittman has started on varsity at Central since he was a freshman – his debut included two pick-six touchdowns. Last season he made 54 tackles with three interceptions in 10 games on defense. He added 26 catches for 458 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver.
Nebraska was the first to offer Pittman a scholarship as an eighth grader in February 2023. Pittman didn’t play flag football until he was eight and tackle ball until years after that. He’s worked with former Husker Abdul Muhammad and his Homegrown Program based out of the North Omaha Boys & Girls Club and thier partnership with Nebraska Elite’s 7-on-7 teams.
Pittman has flashed the athletic measurables including a fourth-place showing in the Class A long jump at 23 feet, 1 1/4 inches in the spring. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder saw his recruitment take off in recent months with a flurry of offers including Michigan and Colorado in June.
“They like his toughness,” Mackey said. “One of the schools said he could probably play linebacker for them.”
Pittman didn’t grow up following college football. He said he settled on Nebraska perhaps two weeks ago as he continues to become more comfortable with the in=state school. He’s visited multiple times including for the Rutgers game last fall and as a 7-on-7 competitor at June’s “Battle of the Boneyard.”
“Just been talking with the coaches and building the relationships still,” Pittman said. “I don’t know, just felt like now was the time.”
He announced his decision on social media in a short video including game highlights of himself making plays on the ball. A picture of Pittman in a red Nebraska uniform scrolled down to the word “committed.”
Nebraska’s only other 2027 pledge had been four-star quarterback Trae Taylor out of Illinois. Pittman said Taylor’s commitment also factored into the timing of his announcement.
The 2026 All-American Bowl honoree projects at safety for Nebraska. He’s already thinking about doing more.
Said Pittman; “I could play receiver there too if they let me.”
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