Connect with us

Nebraska

Nebraska Football NFL Draft Prospects Snubbed in Opening Three Rounds

Published

on

Nebraska Football NFL Draft Prospects Snubbed in Opening Three Rounds


Nebraska football’s NFL Draft drought continued a bit longer than expected Friday night.

Despite having a third-round graded draft prospect, the Cornhuskers failed to hear any of the program’s 2025 NFL Draft prospects’ names called during the first three rounds Thursday and Friday. The Huskers haven’t had a day two selection since 2022 and have not had a first-round pick since cornerback Prince Amukamara’s selection in 2011.

The last day two selection came in 2022 when Cam Jurgens and Cam Taylor-Britt were selected by the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. Jurgens signed a recent extension with Philadelphia, making him the higest paid center in the NFL while Taylor-Britt remains a projected starter with the Bengals.

National team defensive lineman Ty Robinson of Nebraska (94) works through drills during Senior Bowl

Defensive lineman Ty Robinson of Nebraska works through drills during Senior Bowl practice in January. / Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Defensive lineman Ty Robinson had a mixed bag of NFL draft grades, with some analysts projecting the former Blackshirt as a second-round prospect. Others had him around the third- to fourth-round range, as ESPN lists Robinson as the tenth best prospect remaining entering Saturday’s final three rounds.

Advertisement

“Robinson started 47 games at Nebraska, and he worked out well at the combine. Among defensive linemen, he had the fastest 40-yard dash (4.83), second-best broad jump (9 feet, 11 inches) and fourth-best vertical jump (33.5 inches). His tape reflects the testing,” Steve Muench of ESPN wrote about Robinson.

“He explodes off the ball, shoots his hands and pushes the pocket. He tracks the quarterback well and has active hands. Robinson is also effective picking blockers and looping around when running line stunts. He slips blocks and gets into gaps as a run defender. And he can set the edge when he lines up on the outside,” Muench wrote.

Robinson is the second-best projected defensive lineman available behind Florida State’s Joshua Farmer. USA Today projects Robinson as a selection in the fourth round at pick No. 135 to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Tommi Hill celebrates a stop on third and short against UCLA.

Tommi Hill celebrates a stop against UCLA in 2024. / Amarillo Mullen

Defensive back Tommi Hill remains in the top 50 remaining on ESPN’s big board despite missing six games in 2024 with a foot injury. Hill did not run at the NFL combine and was unavailable for Nebraska’s spring Pro Day activities.

“Hill is at his best reading receivers and breaking on passes in off-coverage. He attacks the ball as soon as it’s in the air in zone, and he has the tools to develop into an effective press corner. Hill is a natural hands catcher who tracks the ball well and picked off four passes in 2023. He has the long arms to get his hands on passes without having to go through the receiver. As a run defender, Hill steps up, chases and wraps up productively,” Muench wrote about Hill.

Advertisement

USA Today lists Hill as a projected fifth-round selection to the Minnesota Vikings at pick No. 139.

Nebraska wide receiver Isaiah Neyor gains 29 yards against Illinois.

Nebraska wide receiver Isaiah Neyor gains 29 yards against Illinois. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska receiver Isaiah Neyor is listed as the No. 145 best prospect remaining after spending one season in Lincoln in 2024 following stints at Wyoming and Texas. Neyor impressed scouts in his pre-draft process with his physical traits, running well at the Nebraska Pro Day in March.

“His blend of size, speed and length is rare. He can get off press and create late separation on vertical routes. Defenders frequently hold him to prevent him from getting behind the coverage. Neyor runs away from coverage and plucks on the run when running crossers. He moves into pockets in zone coverage. He’s tough going over the middle and can hold on after taking a big hit,” Muench wrote about Neyor.

USA Today projects Neyor as a sixth-round selection to the Baltimore Ravens at pick No. 183.

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II makes a catch against Illinois.

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II runs after making a catch against Illinois. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Council Bluffs native and former Husker tight end Thomas Fidone II enters Saturday as the No. 63 available prospect by ESPN. The 6-5, 243 pound tight end was ranked just outside the top ten in his pre-draft position ranking.

Advertisement

“Fidone is a crisp route runner for his size. He finds pockets in zone looks, and he can make the first defender miss after catching the ball. Fidone’s arm length is outstanding, and he has big hands. He can extend and pluck passes out of the air. Fidone needs to get stronger and fill out his frame, but he can wall off defenders in space and develop into an effective blocker over time,” Muench wrote on Fidone.

USA Today projects Fidone as a sixth-round selection to the Baltimore Ravens, selecting him at pick No. 203.

Nebraska defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher chases after Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the third quarter.

Nebraska defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher chases Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Another potential selection is defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher, who is not projected on ESPN or USA Today’s mock drafts for the final three rounds. Hutmacher is also not listed as one of the top prospects remaining on either site, but had received top 300 prospect grades from other pre-draft analysts.

If three Huskers are selected in Saturday’s final three rounds, Nebraska would match 2022’s NFL Draft output with Jurgens, Taylor-Britt and receiver Samori Toure. Four selections would be the most since the 2016 NFL Draft, when defensive linemen Vincent Valentine and Maliek Collins, offensive tackle Alex Lewis, and fullback Andy Janovich were chosen.

The fourth round begins Saturday at 11 a.m. CDT with coverage available on the NFL Network and ESPN.

Advertisement

Next. Jeremy Pernell Ranks the 2025 NFL Draft Prospects. Jeremy Pernell’s Top 100 NFL Draft Prospects for 2025. dark

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.



Source link

Nebraska

Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

Published

on

Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

Advertisement
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Nebraska

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

Published

on

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

Advertisement

“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

Advertisement

“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

Advertisement

Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

Watch breaking news unfold on our livestream. Download the First Alert 6 streaming app to your TV or find us in your favorite streaming platform.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Nebraska

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

Published

on

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

Advertisement
Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending