Nebraska
Five Players From Nebraska That Florida State Should Monitor
Florida State is moving towards announcing the official hire of Nebraska’s Tony White as its next defensive coordinator. White has spent the last two years building some of the top defenses in the country in Lincoln. He’s a proven developer of talent and a confident personality that has earned the respect of those playing under him.
With the departure of White, it’s possible that some players from Nebraska will explore the opportunity of following him to Tallahassee. The NCAA Transfer Portal is set to open on Monday, December 9, and will span a period of 20 days.
READ MORE: Florida State Flips Fifth Prospect On First Day Of Early Signing Period
There are plenty of players on Nebraska’s roster that could help Florida State rebound in 2025. These are five Cornhuskers who we think the Seminoles should pursue if they decide to transfer.
Williams fits the mold of everything that Florida State is looking for in a long and productive edge-rusher. Plus, he’s got the benefit of spending two years working with White and new defensive line coach Terrance Knighton. He signed with the Cornhuskers in 2023 and jumped into the rotation this year.
Despite playing just 188 snaps, Williams finished second on the team with five sacks, along with 14 tackles and six tackles for loss. He recorded two sacks in back-to-back games against Purdue and Rutgers. His pass-rushing grade of 80.5 would be the highest on FSU’s roster. Williams stands at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, and has serious potential. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Veteran Jimari Butler would also make sense. He’s spent the last half-decade at Nebraska but announced his plans to transfer shortly after the news broke about White and Knighton leaving.
With Florida State switching to a 3-3-5 scheme, the defense will be playing three linebackers in most situations. The Seminoles are clearly in need of more additions to the room to build around redshirt sophomore Omar Graham Jr., sophomore Blake Nichelson, and sophomore Justin Cryer.
After not playing during his first two years at Nebraska, Gbayor blossomed when White arrived in Lincoln. He was a part-time starter in 2023 before stepping into a full-time role this season. Gbayor had a career year this fall, totaling 49 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries, and three pass deflections. He’s stout against the run at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds. Gbayor entered the portal shortly after the coaching changes happened and has one season of eligibility remaining.
This is also a spot where FSU could pursue Stefon Thompson again. The Seminoles brought him in for a visit last offseason prior to Thompson ultimately choosing Nebraska. He had 27 tackles, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections in 2024.
Gbayor and Thompson had higher PFF grades than any linebacker on FSU’s roster.
If the last name rings a bell, it’s because Umanmielen is the younger brother of Ole Miss defensive end and former Florida Gator, Princely Umanmielen. Just in his second year, Umanmielen has shown flashes of brilliance marred by inconsistency. He’s just beginning to figure things out but has the tools and athletic traits to develop into something special if everything comes together.
New FSU defensive line coach Terrance Knighton is credited with landing the 6-foot-5, 245-pound linebacker out of high school and he spent both of his seasons at Nebraska in White’s defense. Since the moves, he’s hit the portal and the ties to Tallahassee could be enticing. Umanmielen has appeared in 23 games, with one start, and totaled 35 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one pass deflection.
Umanmielen struggled to tackle consistently in 2024 but his pass-rushing grade was above average. He has two years of eligibility remaining and would be a good prospect for the Seminoles, with the potential to start immediately.
Florida State has promising young talent in the defensive backfield but could lose cornerback Azareye’h Thomas and safety Shyheim Brown. Wright would be able to plug and play immediately for the Seminoles with his knowledge of White’s scheme. After beginning his career at USC, he had a career year at Nebraska in 2024, recording 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, five pass deflections, and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Wright is a sure-tackler with solid size and plenty of experience. He has over 1,300 snaps to his name and would’ve been the second-highest-graded cornerback (73.8) on FSU’s roster, behind Azareye’h Thomas, this season. Wright has one season of eligibility remaining.
The Seminoles struggled to create turnovers this past season, only recording three interceptions in 12 games. Hartzog totaled more than that by himself at Nebraska in fewer appearances, picking off four passes. He pulled down an interception in back-to-back weeks against Indiana and Ohio State.
Plus, Hartzog has recorded two consecutive career-best seasons under the tutelage of White, who has a long history as a defensive backs coach. He totaled 43 tackles, fifth best on the team, two tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and four interceptions. Hartzog has seven interceptions during his time with the Cornhuskers.
Hartzog is a bit of an up-and-down player. He had a 58.7 PFF grade in 2024 but sat at 67.3 last year. Hartzog does present versatility with seven starts at safety and four at cornerback this past season, seeing 541 snaps. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
READ MORE: Top-100 Defensive Tackle Sticks With Florida State Despite Late Push From SEC Programs
Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason
Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
• BREAKING: Florida State Flips Elite Running Back From Georgia Bulldogs
• Florida State Loses Top Commitment On Early Signing Day – Again
• Florida State Hires New Defensive Line Coach Away From Nebraska
• Florida State Announces First Signees of #Tribe25
(InvestigateTV) — Sometimes sports are about more than the final score.
For Jack Burke, a high school football player in Nebraska, a medical diagnosis at birth has never stopped him from competing — and a touchdown catch in his first play back from open heart surgery proved it.
Born with a rare heart defect
Burke was born with Scimitar syndrome, a rare heart defect in which babies are born with an underdeveloped right lung and pulmonary artery. The condition also affects blood flow to the right lung. Treatment often includes surgery, and many adults with the condition go on to live healthy lives.
“As a kid, I never really understood,” Burke said. “It was always natural for me that I had to push myself harder to keep up.”
His mother, Bridget Burke, says the condition was not initially considered dangerous for sports participation.
“His Scimitar Syndrome never really came into play as being dangerous for him to play sports,” she said.
The decision to operate
That changed in the spring of 2025, when Burke’s family and doctors decided it was time for a surgery that had been anticipated for years.
“I’ve kind of known I’ve had to get surgery my whole life,” Burke said. “Once I knew I could get the surgery sooner, I was all in. I wanted to get it so I could get back to sports.”
His father, Ryan Burke, says the timing was deliberate.
“This will be done before school gets started, and still have a chance to do almost everything you want to do,” Ryan Burke said.
Jack Burke underwent open-heart surgery, leaving a visible reminder of what he went through.
“There’s a six-inch scar in the middle of his chest that represents a pretty big thing that happened,” Ryan Burke said.
For Bridget Burke, the moment her son was taken to the operating room was difficult.
“When the rubber hits the road and your kid is being wheeled back to the OR, it is scary and emotional,” she said.
The comeback
Burke eased back into football following his cardiologist’s recommended recovery timeline. His return came in week three of the season.
“Before the Schuyler game I talked to his dad and he’s like, ‘I think we might be ready,’” said coach Jay Landstrom.
Bridget Burke says the family approached the return with caution.
“I mean, I was nervous. We didn’t really know how much he would play. It was going to be some cautious situations,” she said.
Those concerns were set aside — at least for a moment — when Burke caught a touchdown pass on his very first play back.
“All the parents were high-fiving everybody and they were like, ‘Was that really Jack?’” Bridget Burke said.
Landstrom called it a special moment.
“It was just meant to be and that was really special,” he said.
For Burke, the touchdown meant something beyond the scoreboard.
“I just remember one of my teammates came up to me and said, ‘He’s back. He’s back,’” Burke said. “It kind of shows something that tried to stop me — I hurdled that obstacle.”
Burke says the surgery has given him a new sense of freedom.
“Now I can do whatever I want. Nothing can hold me back,” he said.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 19.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
4-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
14-19-24-30-34
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Red Balls: 01-02, White Balls: 09-26
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from April 19 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 16, Year: 61
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The New Orleans Saints made a big splash in free agency when they signed Travis Etienne Jr. to pair with Alvin Kamara in the backfield. Etienne’s addition probably means that the Saints won’t select a back with an early choice in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, don’t be surprised if the team adds another back with a later pick. If that’s the case, Emmett Johnson of the Nebraska Cornhuskers could be someone on their radar.
Etienne will likely be the featured back, but Kamara’s future beyond 2026 is in some doubt. Kamara turns 31 in July and is entering his 10th season with a big contract after already showing some possible decline. Behind them, Kendre Miller has proven he shouldn’t be relied on and 2025 sixth round choice Devin Neal has flashed potential but remains unproven. The Saints may be wise to add more talent to their backfield with a middle or later round pick.
Emmett Johnson bio
- Position: Running back
- College: Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Height: 5-feet, 10 inches
- Weight: 202 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
- 3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.29 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35.5″
- Broad jump: 10′
Recipient of the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football award at Academy of Holy Angels High School, Johnson began with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a three-star recruit. He’d take a redshirt in 2022 then rushed for 411 yards with 2 scores in 2023 as part of a backfield committee. In 2024, Johnson picked up 598 yards on the ground and caught 39 passes for 286 yards with 3 total scores.
By 2025, Johnson was the Cornhuskers featured weapon and exploded onto the national radar. Johnson’s 1,451 rushing yards and 251 carries both led the Big Ten and were among the NCAA leaders. He also caught a team-high 46 passes and scored 15 touchdowns, as his 1,821 yards from scrimmage were second across the NCAA. Those eye-popping numbers earned him 1st Team All-American honors as well as the 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
Strengths
- Hits rushing lanes with authority
- Makes sharp cuts at top speed
- Decisive north-south runner
- Good acceleration into the second level
- Legitimate receiving threat
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t have breakaway speed
- Has trouble creating yards when the hole isn’t there
- Must maintain balance better through contact
- Doesn’t break many tackles
- Only one year of high-level production
Emmett Johnson 2026 draft outlook
Johnson’s 2025 tape and production are worthy of a high pick, but teams looking for a featured back might be wary of his lack of power. Still, Johnson has a strong chance of being picked somewhere on the second day and shouldn’t last later than the fourth round. His decisive one-cut and go style and receiving ability gives him a strong chance to be an instant contributor with an incredibly high upside of a potential starter.
New Orleans has had success with late-round picks and undrafted players at running back. Emmett Johnson won’t last that long. But, if Johnson slips into Day 3, the Saints could be tempted to add him and bolster their backfield in multiple ways.
-
Fitness6 minutes ago
Six ways your smartwatch is lying to you, according to science
-
Movie Reviews18 minutes agoMovie Review – Desert Warrior (2026)
-
World30 minutes agoIran War Live Updates: Trump Officials and Iran Plan New Talks Despite Mixed Messages
-
News36 minutes agoVideo: Singer D4vd Is Charged With Murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
-
Politics42 minutes agoTrump and Iran Face Off in Iran War Negotiations
-
Business48 minutes agoThe Onion Signs New Deal to Take Over Infowars
-
Science54 minutes agoVideo: This Parrot Has No Beak, But Is at the Top of the Pecking Order
-
Culture1 hour agoPoetry Challenge Day 2: Love, How It Works and What It Means