These high school athletes defined the state of Nebraska — who’s the greatest?

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.