Nebraska
Kearney native Cal Higgins returns to Nebraska with Texas for College World Series
HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – Cal Higgins transferred to Texas this season, joining one of the premier teams in college baseball. His path to Omaha was a long one, starting back in high school.
Higgins didn’t start playing NSAA sanctioned baseball until his sophomore year, when Kearney added baseball as a sport. He helped the Bearcats make state in their first year as a program.
Iowa Western was the only school willing to give Higgins a chance. He played one season there before following his coaches to Western Kentucky.
At Western Kentucky, he was part of building a program’s foundation at the Division I level. His time as a Hilltopper culminated in 2025, where he appeared in 22 games and posted an ERA of 1.87, good for the 10th best in program history.
Higgins helped lead the Hilltoppers to their first conference title. His time with Western Kentucky ended in the regional round, losing to Ole Miss in a game he threw 2.2 shutout frames with five strikeouts.
“It was pretty beautiful. Definitely an awesome closing of that chapter. Just had a great group of guys that were just even more bought in than the previous years,” Higgins said. “I knew that there were more opportunities out there and I wanted to explore them, wanted to have the amazing experiences that I’ve had.”
Higgins entered the transfer portal to find the final home of his college career. When a program as rich in tradition as Texas came calling, it was a decision he made quickly.
He’s pitched 11.1 innings this year for a deep Longhorn team that’s raced out to a 45-13 record. The year is culminating in Omaha, with Higgins’ return to Nebraska as an athlete for the first time since 2021.
“It’s pretty full circle, pretty surreal. Touched down at Eppley and just got a watery eye, just looking over the state I grew up in, literally, and then literally flying over the state I played in for a year,” Higgins said. “That was pretty cool, just to be back home.”
The Longhorns take the field Saturday for their first game of the Men’s College World Series against an SEC foe, the Georgia Bulldogs. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. and it will be on ESPN.
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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Four former Nebraska men’s basketball players are set to take part in the 2026 NBA League in Las Vegas.
The players include:
- Rienk Mast of the Indiana Pacers
- Sam Hoiberg of the Phoenix Suns
- Josiah Allick of the Charlotte Hornets
- Brice Williams of the Detroit Pistons
According to Nebraska Athletics, it is the second straight summer that Nebraska has had four summer league participants.
Each team will play at least five games, including four preliminary contests from July 9 to July16.
The semifinals are set for July 18 on Prime Video, while the championship game will air July 19 on ESPN.
Teams not advancing to the semifinals will play a fifth game between July 17 to July 19.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
A Nebraska quarterback commit is making headlines heading into his senior season. Five-star prospect Trae Taylor has been named by Rivals as one of the ‘five high school football transfers that will make a big impact this 2026 season.’
Taylor heads into 2026 after a strong 2025 season at Carmel Catholic (IL). In 11 games, he threw 3,571 yards, 38 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also ran 77 times for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The five-star quarterback is transferring to Millard South (NE) this offseason and will join a team that went 12-1 this past season and won back-to-back Class A State championships. He is taking over as the starting quarterback, replacing Jett Thomalla, who signed with Alabama.
Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes that the transfer quarterback is well-rounded and one of the stronger arms in the 2027 cycle. He also believes that the development he has shown this late in his career should be seen as a positive.
“Brings a combination of high-end arm talent and refinement to the table. Has a whippy release that uncoils quickly to generate fast arm action. Added arm strength in the off-season prior to his senior year. Can drive the football to all areas of the field with palpable zip. Rips throws out to the far hash and up the seam. Throws a tight spiral that cuts through the wind. Has proven to be accurate in multiple settings. Hyper-trained and plays with a good level of consistency as a passer.”
Taylor is also the first Cornhusker commit to ever hold the title of Elite 11 MVP. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of The Opening Finals at Nike’s World Headquarters last month.
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