Huskers Sign Trio of Top 100 Recruits

Nebraska signed a trio of top-100 high school seniors from the Midwest on the opening day of the national signing period on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Ashlyn Koupal (South Dakota), Ava Miles (Missouri) and Maddi Stewart (Oklahoma) plan to join Nebraska Head Coach Amy Williams and the Huskers as true freshmen for the 2026-27 campaign.

"We are thrilled that these three talented, hard-working, driven young women have chosen to join our Husker family," Williams said. "Ashlyn, Ava and Maddi each bring the skills, intelligence, character and work ethic to thrive as Huskers and will be instrumental in helping us continue to raise the bar in our program."

One of the highest ranked recruits in Husker history, Koupal (pronounced - KO-pull) is the No. 22 player in the current ESPN Top 100. The 6-3 forward from Wagner, S.D., was also ranked as a five-star recruit as the No. 10 player in the current 247 Sports rankings (No. 13 composite), as the No. 3 power forward in the nation. Koupal was the Gatorade South Dakota High School Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 22.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.5 blocks in leading Wagner to the state tournament. It was her third straight season averaging better than 20 points per game. She also produced one quadruple-double, two triple-doubles and 10 double-doubles as a junior. A three-time all-state selection, Koupal helped Wagner to a Class A state runner-up finish as a sophomore in 2023. Koupal is also an outstanding student, carrying a 4.0 GPA.

Koupal, who chose Nebraska over Duke, Kansas, Michigan State and TCU, was one of 45 high school players from across the country invited to the 2025 USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp during the NCAA Women's Final Four. Entering her senior season, Koupal has amassed 1,939 points, 860 rebounds, 364 assists, 189 steals and 287 blocks. 

An outstanding all-around athlete, Koupal won her fifth consecutive South Dakota Class A state high jump championship as a junior in 2025. She also notched 12 kills to help the Red Raider volleyball team clinch a berth in the 2025 South Dakota Class A state tournament on Tuesday night.

"Ashlyn has great versatility, which makes her a dangerous threat to score both inside and out," Williams said. "She makes those around her better with her ability to pass and defend at a high level. She has a strong desire to be great, and the work ethic to match. She is going to have a tremendous career as a Husker."

A four-star recruit who was ranked No. 69 nationally by ESPN and No. 70 by 247 Sports, Miles was ranked as the No. 14 shooting guard in the country by 247 Sports. The No. 3 ranked recruit in the state of Missouri, Miles, who committed to Nebraska in July of 2025, led Staley to a Class 6 runner-up finish with a 29-2 record by averaging 14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game as a junior. She also hit 50.1 percent of her shots from the floor, including 33.3 percent of her three-point attempts for the Falcons.

A three-time adidas All-American, Miles is a two-time all-state selection and a three-time all-district and all-conference choice. She was the 2025 Greater Kansas City Conference Player of the Year.

"Ava is an outstanding all-around player who is going to bring energy to the court and the locker room every day," Williams said. "She is a high-level communicator with the ability to create in transition and score at all three levels. She is willing to do all the little things to help her team win. Husker fans are going to love watching her energy and enthusiasm on the court."

Miles said she chose Nebraska over Maryland and Michigan State because the Husker program felt special.

"It truly is the only place that felt like home," Miles said. "I knew that no matter how my day was, that I would find peace and joy with this program. God told me this is where I needed to go, and I know this program is very, very special." 

Stewart, a 5-9 guard from Claremore, Okla., is the No. 80 recruit in the country and the No. 16 shooting guard according to 247 Sports. She is also No. 100 nationally by ESPN. Stewart averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals while leading Lincoln Christian High School to the 2025 Class 4A state championship. She shot 46 percent from the field and 82 percent at the free line for the Bulldogs, while eclipsing 1,000 career points early in her junior season.

Stewart, who committed to Nebraska in mid-August, was the unanimous MVP of the Oklahoma Class 4A state tournament after getting 20 points and 12 rebounds in the state championship game. The two-time first-team all-state selection was named the MVP of the Pinnacle Conference while playing for her coach and mother, Melody, who was named the state high school coach of the year by the Tulsa World. It was Lincoln Christian's third straight trip to the state finals, but its first state championship.

"We are so excited about what Maddi brings to the Husker program," Williams said. "She is a winner! She is also a tough, gritty player who can shoot from outside and create off the dribble. As the daughter of a coach, she brings a high basketball IQ with her and a real desire to grow as a player and person to help her team win championships."

Stewart, who chose Nebraska over Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State, said the Husker program provided a strong sense of belonging.

"Nebraska feels the most like home to me," Stewart said. "I believe in what Coach Williams has built and in her vision for integrating me in the program as well. The fan base is unmatched and it is clearly Nebraska vs. everyone. Go Big Red!"