Defensive end Jason Ankrah is one of the top prospects on the East Coast and one of the nation’s top defensive end recruits. Ankrah comes to Nebraska from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md., where he starred for Coach Dave Mencarini. Ankrah is just the second Husker signee from Maryland since 1990, joining senior defensive lineman David Harvey (La Plata), who signed with Nebraska in 2005.

The 6-4, 250-pound Ankrah was a disruptive force from his defensive end position. He totaled 55 tackles as a senior, including 42 unassisted stops, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 19 quarterback hurries. His play helped Quince Orchard to a 10-2 record in 2008 and a trip to the Maryland 4A West Regional Final. Ankrah was a first-team all-state pick, was an All-Met selection by the Washington Post and was also named to the All-Gazette (Gaithersburg) first team. Ankrah played in the first annual Maryland Crab Bowl, pitting the top players in Maryland against D.C. area standouts. He finished the contest with 1.5 tackles for loss. Ankrah also posted impressive numbers as a junior with more than 50 tackles and five sacks. His play was a significant factor in Quince Orchard’s perfect 14-0 record and class 4A state championship, and he earned first-team All-Sentinel as an offensive lineman.

Ankrah is listed among the top 10 defensive end prospects in the country by Rivals.com and among the top five recruits in Maryland by that service. He is also listed among the top 250 overall prospects in the country by Rivals. Ankrah is from the same high school as Nebraska assistant coach John Papuchis. Ankrah also visited Michigan and Maryland, and also considered Virginia Tech and Clemson.

Ankrah is the son of Kofi and Nanu Ankrah and was born on Feb. 26, 1991.