Nebraska
Haarberg using bowl prep to change role, maximize potential
Haarberg using bowl prep to change role, maximize potential
The transfer portal hasn’t been the only reason Nebraska’s quarterback room looks different right now as bowl practices continue in Lincoln for the first time since 2016.
Daniel Kaelin, a local product and three-star recruit out of Omaha (Neb.) Bellevue West, is currently in the transfer portal and not at practice. Right now, Dylan Raiola’s top backup has been Jalyn Gramstad, the former NAIA Player of the Year from Northwestern (Iowa) who transferred to the program last summer.
And it will be Gramstad getting the QB2 opportunity when Nebraska travels to Yankee Stadium in New York City to play Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28.
What of Heinrich Haarberg?
Nebraska’s fourth-year player who backed up Raiola and played in 11 games this season is using these bowl practices to make the full transition to tight end. Haarberg will still be available at quarterback against Boston College — those quarterback-designed runs worked well at times this season — but his focus right now is on the future at a different position.
“Heinrich’s been pretty much full-steam ahead, getting ready for next year and being sort of like that F, Y tight end type guy,” Rhule said.
During a previous press conference, Rhule said he made a commitment to Haarberg to use him at a different position.
“We’ve made a commitment to Heinrich that we would let him explore some other positions,” Rhule said on Dec. 4. “He really wants to be a pro player with his athleticism.”
On Thursday Rhule said the 6-5, 225-pound Haarberg is one of the best athletes he’s ever coached. In 11 games this season Haarberg completed 10-of-18 passes for 101 yards while rushing for 102 yards. He also caught one pass for eight yards.
As the starter for eight games in 2023, Haarberg recorded team-highs in passing yards (967), rushing yards (477), rushing touchdowns (5) and passing touchdowns (7). He also caught a pass for a first down in the season-opener at Minnesota on a split block bluff to the flat:
“He’s big, he’s explosive, he’s athletic, he can catch the ball, he’s really smart,” Rhule said. “Heinrich can go out there, he can play tailback on one play and play X receiver on the next.”
With a play-caller and designer like Dana Holgorsen now in the fold, Rhule believes Haarberg has a chance to make an impact at a tight end position that, like many others across the team, will look different in 2025.
“I think he’s gonna have a real chance there,” Rhule said.
Nate Boerkircher, a talented but underutilized all-around tight end, entered his name in the transfer portal and is going through that process. Thomas Fidone II and Luke Lindenmeyer are two more tight ends with playing experience. Carter Nelson now has a season of college football under his belt, primarily as a slot receiver at 6-5, 230 pounds.
Mac Markway, a transfer from LSU who arrived just before the start of the season, will continue with his rehab for an ACL injury he suffered at practice in September. Ian Flynt and Eric Ingwerson are two true freshmen who each appeared in one game this season, the opener against UTEP.
In the 2025 class, Jeremiah Jones could factor into the tight end discussion, though he could play anywhere from tight end to receiver to outside linebacker to safety.
“Since Dana has gotten here, he’s really, really, really seen a lot in Luke Lindenmeyer, and we’ve used him a lot,” Rhule said. “We’ve seen a lot in Nate. We think Carter Nelson is going to grow into one of the best tight ends. We think Heinrich is going to be a great tight end prospect. And we have some young guys that we like.”
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Nebraska
Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A deeper look tonight as First Alert 6 continues to dig deeper into the state of mental health care in Nebraska and possible solutions, ever since last week’s two instances involving law enforcement.
A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy was shot responding to a domestic call. Investigators said the suspect, Brian Huggins, had a history of behavioral health issues. Huggins died by suicide.
And then Noemi Guzman, who police say kidnapped a 3-year-old from inside an Omaha Walmart and cut him in the arm and face with a stolen kitchen knife. Omaha police officers shot and killed her before she could strike again.
Guzman had been on a court-ordered mental health treatment plan since last summer for her schizophrenia. According to court records, psychiatrists determined she could live in the community. Remember, this was after she was arrested for setting her father’s house on fire and threatening a priest with a knife.
Monitoring system
We wanted to know who is part of the system monitoring those who may not be following their mental health treatment plan and are a risk to others or themselves. When that happens, the Board of Mental Health will often notify the local sheriff so a warrant can be issued and deputies can track the individual down.
Here are the numbers since 2023:
In 2023, 842 warrants were issued for those not following their treatment plans according to the Board of Mental Health. In 2024, 756. In 2025, 690. So far in 2026, 190.
But out of these 2,500 warrants, 85% of them didn’t have a second warrant, meaning deputies picked them up, got them back into treatment and the individuals continued to thrive after the one hiccup.
But in 15% of these cases, the individuals messed up again and had another warrant issued by the Board of Mental Health. Twenty-five individuals had five or more issued in Douglas County.
Sheriff Hanson said there has to be a better way, a more team approach for this.
One model to explore is the way Nebraska’s problem-solving courts work like drug court and veterans’ treatment court where experts from a variety of stakeholders help individuals who are on the fringes to do everything to make them productive citizens.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
‘Nothing can hold me back’: Nebraska teen scores on first play after open heart surgery
(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.
Nebraska
Nebraska Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 5 on April 19, 2026
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.
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