For talent, stats, and historical relevance, Nebraska’s high school sports landscape is among the deepest in the nation. 

Athletes have dominated sports, ranging from softball to track, overcoming adversity to reach the collegiate and professional levels. All-time stars like Bob Gibson, Marlin Briscoe, and young athletes looking to the future like Jett Thomalla make up the extraordinary talent base of the state. 

Who is the all-time greatest Nebraska high school athlete?

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, looking to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.

From fans’ votes, five athletes will be selected to represent the state as legends who have defined high school sports.

With that in mind, here are the Nebraska high school athlete nominees. The 12 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts at the high school level. 

Jordyn Bahl, Softball, Papillion La Vista High School 

Over Jordyn Bahl’s four-year high school career, she went an astonishing 95-3 with a 0.63 ERA and 978 strikeouts. Over her junior and senior years, she went a combined 54-0 with a 0.16 ERA and 615 strikeouts while hitting .544 with 42 home runs and 114 RBIs. Papillion La Vista went undefeated both years and won three championships with Bahl. 

Bob Boozer, Boys Basketball, Omaha Technical High School 

A high school teammate of Bob Gibson and eventual NBA champion, Bob Boozer set a league scoring record in 1955 as he helped Omaha Tech win the Inter-City League championship. 

Marlin Briscoe, Football, Boys Basketball, Tennis, Omaha South High School 

Marlin Briscoe, the first Black quarterback to start in the modern NFL, began his career at Omaha South, where he helped the team win a championship. He was a multi-sport athlete. 

Bob Gibson, Baseball, Boys Basketball, Track and Field, Omaha Technical High School 

Bob Gibson, among the greatest pitchers in MLB history, was initially blocked from playing baseball because the coach would not allow Black kids on the team. Instead, he competed in track as a junior and set an Omaha high-jump record. As a senior under a new coach, he joined the team, hit .368, made the all-city team, and helped Tech win the Inter-City title. He also made the All-City basketball team, according to SABR. 

Ahman Green, Football, Track and Field, Omaha North and Omaha Central high schools 

A first-team USA TODAY All-American, two-time All-Nebraska first-team selection, and Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year, Ahman Green played running back, linebacker and punter for Omaha Central, establishing a career that would make him a Green Bay Packers legend. He also won the 100- and 200-meter state championships in track. 

Tom Kropp, Football, Boys Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field, Aurora High School 

Tom Kropp helped Aurora win six championships across three sports, averaging 33 points and 21 rebounds as a senior in basketball, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in football, and winning discus and shot put. He also threw a no-hitter. 

Jordan Larson, Girls Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Track and Field, Logan View High School (Hooper) 

A future Olympian, Jordan Larson was a star volleyball and basketball player at Logan View. She was the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year and a three-time all-state selection in volleyball. In basketball, she set the school record for scoring, rebounding and assists, according to the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

Alyssa Onnen, Track and Field, Kearney Catholic High School 

Alyssa Onnen graduated in 2026 as one of the most dominant track and field athletes in Nebraska history, winning four pole vault championships. Her final clearing as a senior was 12-06.00, according to Nebraska Preps. 

Johnny Rodgers, Football, Baseball, Boys Basketball, Track and Field, Omaha Tech High School 

In 1969, Johnny Rodgers was named the Nebraska Athlete of the Year, was an All-American football and baseball player, an All-City basketball player, and an All-State in the long jump. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and received more than 50 scholarship offers for football. He played two seasons in the NFL. 

Gale Sayers, Football, Track and Field, Omaha Central High School 

Few athletes have wowed Nebraska like Gale Sayers, who led Central’s football to an undefeated season, twice led the state in scoring and was named All-State, and set the state long jump record at 24ft 10in, a mark that stood for almost 40 years. 

Berlyn Schutz, Track and Field, Lincoln East High School 

The 2019 Nebraska Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year, Berlyn Shutz won championships in the 800- and 1,600-meters, set a state meet record in the mile, and was a state champion in the 4×800-meter relay. 

Jett Thomalla, Football, Boys Basketball, Millard South High School 

Jett Thomalla emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the country, leading Millard South to back-to-back championships and setting state records with 10,253 career passing yards and 134 career passing touchdowns. He was an ALL-USA Second-Team Offense in 2025. 

A widespread period of dangerous heat is expected to affect large portions of the central United States through next week into the July 4 weekend.

National Weather Service offices across the country have issued Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Watches covering parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Heat indices of over 38°C (100°F) across many locations, while several areas could experience peak values between 41 and 43°C (105 and 110°F).

Kansas

Heat Advisories are in effect from 13:00 CDT Sunday, June 28, until 21:00 CDT Wednesday, July 1, across central, east-central, south-central, and southeast Kansas, where heat index values of 38 to 41°C (100 to 105°F) are forecast.

An Extreme Heat Watch covers north-central, northeast, and east-central Kansas from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30, with peak heat index values potentially reaching 42°C (108°F). Eastern Kansas, including areas near the Missouri border, is also included in a broader Extreme Heat Watch covering adjacent portions of Missouri through Tuesday evening.

Illinois and Missouri

Heat Advisories cover broad areas of southern, central, and western Illinois together with central, eastern, northeastern, southeastern, and western Missouri from Sunday afternoon through Thursday night, where daily heat index values above 38°C (100°F) are expected. These advisories will be effective between 12:00 and 13:00 CDT on Sunday, June 28, and remain in effect until either 20:00 CDT or 00:00 CDT Friday, July 3, depending on the forecast area.

Meanwhile, an Extreme Heat Watch is in effect for the St. Louis metropolitan region—including Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties in Illinois and Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis County, and St. Louis City in Missouri—from Sunday afternoon, June 28, through Thursday evening, July 2, where heat index values of 41 to 43°C (105 to 110°F) are possible. Additional Extreme Heat Watches cover northeast Missouri and portions of western Illinois from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30.

Iowa

Heat Advisories begin at 13:00 CDT Sunday, June 28, across northwest, west-central, and southwest Iowa. Depending on location, the advisories remain in effect until either 21:00 CDT Monday, June 29, or 21:00 CDT Tuesday, June 30, with forecast heat index values generally ranging from 39 to 41°C (103 to 105°F).

Much of Iowa is also under an Extreme Heat Watch from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30, while southwest Iowa is included in a separate watch for the Omaha metropolitan area, where heat index values may approach 42°C (108°F).

Nebraska and South Dakota

Heat Advisories will start going into effect at 13:00 CDT Sunday, June 28, across Nebraska. Advisories for eastern and southeastern Nebraska remain in effect until 21:00 CDT Tuesday, June 30, while Cedar and Knox counties in northeast Nebraska are under a shorter-duration advisory until 21:00 CDT Sunday.

In southeast South Dakota, most advisories remain in effect from 13:00 CDT Sunday until 21:00 CDT Monday, although Bon Homme, Hanson, Hutchinson, and McCook counties are under a one-day advisory ending at 21:00 CDT Sunday.

Heat index values are expected to reach 39 to 41°C (103 to 105°F). Douglas and Sarpy counties in Nebraska, together with adjacent counties in southwest Iowa, are also under an Extreme Heat Watch from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30, where heat index values may reach 42°C (108°F).

Nebraska quarterback commit Trae Taylor has won the Elite 11 MVP after strong performances at the Elite 11 Finals last month and The Opening Finals this week in Beaverton, Oregon. 

Taylor was named one of the Elite 11 following the Elite 11 Finals last month, earning an invitation to return for The Opening Finals this week to continue competing for the Elite 11 MVP. 

Following two days of competition, Taylor has been named Elite 11 MVP joining a prestigious group. Over the last decade, the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams, Cade Klubnik, Julian Sayin, Keelon Russell and Dia Bell are among the quarterbacks that have earned Elite 11 MVP honors. 

Now officially the Elite 11 MVP, Taylor is well-positioned to climb in the next 2027 Rivals300 rankings update. He’s had a strong offseason overall, building off a junior season in which he threw for 3,571 yards and 38 touchdowns to just three interceptions, completing a stunning 81.7% of his pass attempts. He added another 633 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, leading Mundelein (Ill.) Carmel Catholic to an 8-3 record. He’s transferred down to Omaha (Neb.) Millard South for his senior season and is already impressing with the Patriots. Earlier this month, Taylor led Millard South to the NebPreps 7v7 State Championship over Omaha (Neb.) Westside. 

Here’s what Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings, wrote about Taylor coming out of the Elite 11 Finals 

Trae Taylor had an excellent performance at the Elite 11 Finals from start to finish, stringing together three very strong showings throughout the weekend. The Nebraska commit was the Rivals MVP of day one, flashing a big-time arm, showing the ability to drive the football to all levels of the field during drill work. He continued to show that plus arm talent during his pro day and was aggressive downfield, targeting high-level throws. He capped off the weekend with a seven-touchdown performance in the 7-on-7 period, making a litany of high-difficulty throws. He attacked the seam, was super aggressive hunting huge downfield completions. The ability to attack all levels with his arm strength, combined with a big-play mentality. Taylor was quick through his progressions and looked very comfortable in the 7-n-7 setting, which isn’t a huge surprise given his experience. The confidence and command was impressive. We also thought Taylor looked comfortable working under center. This is an exclamation on a strong offseason for Taylor, which has seen him make encouraging improvements to his overall game. We’re eager to see what he does as a senior this season at Millard South in Nebraska.

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