Dawson Merritt

LB · #40 · Nebraska · SO · 6'3" · 230 · Stilwell, KS

WLB depth chart, 2nd

9 2026 tackles

2 · 3 2026 sacks · TFL

0 2026 INT + PD

15 Career games (2 starts)

Career

Season	Team	GP	GS	Tackles	Sacks	TFL	INT	PD	FF
2026	Nebraska	7	0	9	2	3	0	0	0
2025	Nebraska	8	2	7	0	0	0	0	0

Tackles per game 1.3 37

Havoc plays 7 89

INT + pass breakups 0 0

Forced fumbles 0 0

Explosive rate allowed 9.2% 74

Line yards per carry allowed 2.1 78

Sack rate 7.2% 70

Week	Opponent	Tkl	Sacks	TFL
W1	OHIO	2		1
W3	North Dakota Fighting Hawks	1	1	1
W4	@ MSU	1	1	1

Weeks with a recorded defensive stat.

2025 class · 247 composite

Four-star high school recruit

The 2025 board

#119

Kamario Taylor QB · Noxubee County MSST

#120

Jordan Young ATH · Monroe MICH

#121

Dawson Merritt LB · Blue Valley NEB

#122

Elijah Thomas ATH · Checotah OKLA

#123

Zahir Mathis EDGE · Imhotep Institute MD

LBs in the class

Matai Tagoa'i San Clemente USC

Dawson Merritt Blue Valley NEB

Noah Mikhail Bonita TXAM

#9 Duke Johnson II Dodge County ALA

2026 · 89th pctile of LBs

Recruit · 96th pctile of class