NAIA’s football player of the year commits to Nebraska
The reigning NAIA player of the year is headed to Nebraska to play football for the Cornhuskers.
Jalyn Gramstad announced his decision on social media Thursday.
Last season, as a junior, the quarterback led his Northwestern College (Iowa) team to a perfect regular season and a trip to the national championship game for the second year in a row.
He led the NAIA with 3,681 passing yards and a 67.8% completion rate, while throwing for 35 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions and adding eight rushing scores.
While he may not start, he adds depth to Nebraska’s quarterback room and, as The Athletic’s Mitch Sherman said, could open the door for the Big Red to use Heinrich Haarberg’s athleticism in another way without having to worry about the backup quarterback spot.
In addition to Haarberg and Gramstad, the Huskers, of course, have true freshmen Daniel Kaelin and Dylan Raiola, the five-star recruit and presumed frontrunner for the starting role.
NAIA is generally considered similar to the Division III level.
West Lyon, Inwood's Jalyn Gramstad (4) pitches the ball as he is tackled during their Class 1A state football championship game at the UNI Dome on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, in Cedar Falls. West Lyon takes a 29-7 lead over Van Meter into halftime. 1122 Statefb 005 Jpg © Brian Powers/The Register, Des Moines Register via Imagn Content Services, LLC