HUSKER BASEBALL
Cooper Markle is coming home to play college baseball.
His original home, at least. The Lincoln native — who has spent the last decade-plus growing up in the Houston-area suburb of Katy — committed to Nebraska on Tuesday to complete a process that began at an NU prospect camp in January. The catcher/outfielder becomes the 14th member of the 2024 class.
"It's a dream come true," Markle said. "I'm super pumped and ready to get to campus."
Markle brings versatility as a left-handed hitter whose primary spot is behind the plate but can also man a corner spot in the outfield. His game is contact, he said, with lots of hits and a low strikeout total.
Husker sports were a focus for the 6-foot, 175-pound Markle as his family lived for a few years in Iowa and later south Texas. He knew Haymarket Park was part of his preferred future when he performed well at a camp there last winter. A Big Red offer came in early July, joining others from Sam Houston and Houston Christian.
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"Nebraska was at the top of my list," Markle said. "It's where I wanted to go."
Markle is from a baseball family — his father, Josh, was an infielder at Southern Illinois in the early 2000s and his older brother, Drew, is joining Mississippi this semester a shortstop and true freshman.
Cooper Markle watched Drew's process, learning to put an emphasis on the coaching staff and campus. He spoke with former Husker Logan Foster — once a youth player for Markle's dad — and received rave NU reviews.
The 2024 class continues to draw talent from all over, with eight states represented. Markle makes four from Texas, an area in which most of the Nebraska staff has ties. The other pledges from the Lone Star State are middle infielder Devin Nunez (Navasota), left-hander Aiden White (Prosper) and righty Blake Encarnacion (Friendswood).
"I knew from the start that this Nebraska staff, I loved them," Markle said. "They know what they're talking about."
