Highly Ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers Freshmen Expected to Make Immediate Impact Across Multiple Programs
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are ushering in a new era of excellence, driven by one of the most highly ranked and versatile freshman classes in school history. With elite talent joining not only the football field but also the basketball court, track, and volleyball floor, expectations are soaring in Lincoln for the Class of 2025 to contribute immediately across multiple athletic programs.
Leading the charge is dual-sport phenom Malik Reynolds, a 6’4” wide receiver and 200-meter sprint champion from Dallas, Texas. A five-star football recruit, Reynolds turned heads at spring practice with his explosiveness and poise, earning reps with the first team by the third week. But it’s not just his football prowess that excites coaches—track and field head coach Gary Pepin has called him “a once-in-a-decade athlete,” already projecting him as a contender for the Big Ten title in the indoor 200 meters.
On the volleyball court, freshman setter Ava Jorgensen from Omaha Westside—ranked No. 2 nationally in her class—has already started pushing upperclassmen in team scrimmages. Her uncanny vision and ability to read opposing defenses have drawn praise from head coach John Cook, who hinted she may rotate in as early as the season opener against Stanford. “She’s got that court presence and instinct you don’t teach,” said Cook.
The basketball team isn’t being left out of this freshman revolution. Point guard Devin Shaw, a four-star recruit from Chicago, brings a unique blend of size and speed. At 6’5”, he’s already commanding attention for his floor leadership and tenacious defense. Head coach Fred Hoiberg noted that Shaw “plays like a senior,” and is expected to play significant minutes in non-conference games.
In baseball, left-handed pitcher Eli Martinez out of Albuquerque has already been clocked at 94 mph in early bullpen sessions. Pitching coach Jeff Christy believes Martinez could crack the weekend rotation before conference play begins. “His control is rare for a freshman,” said Christy. “He’s mature beyond his years.”
What sets this freshman class apart, however, is not just individual talent, but their culture of competitiveness and unity. Recruited under a renewed vision of cross-program excellence by Athletic Director Trev Alberts, many of these athletes have trained together at national-level events and bring with them a camaraderie that transcends sports. They’ve also embraced the Husker ethos quickly, attending each other’s games and practices, forming what coaches describe as a “brother-sisterhood of winners.”
As fall sports kick into full gear, the buzz on campus is palpable. The Class of 2025 isn’t waiting to be great—they’re already proving they are. Whether in Memorial Stadium, Pinnacle Bank Arena, or Devaney Center, Nebraska fans should expect to see these young stars making noise—immediately.
