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Recruiting Monday morning Danny Odem update

Yesterday evening I said I slightly favored Nebraska in the recruitment of 2026 Orlando (Fla.) First Academy, saying I was primarily concerned about Oklahoma's presence and to a lesser extent, Clemson. I'm in Indianapolis this week for the Rivals Five-Star Challenge and after catching up with other recruiting media and exchanging some texts with sources close to his recruitment, here's what I can say:

The one consistent in this recruitment is Nebraska, no matter who you talk to, no one has written off Nebraska. As things stand on this Monday morning, Nebraska, Ohio State and Oklahoma are the three schools still in this. It isn't coming down to NIL, it's coming down to fit and comfort. Odem is quite comfortable with defensive backs coach Addison Williams and visited Nebraska three times in the last six months. Ohio State just offered a few weeks ago and have had him in town just one time. Still, it's Ohio State. He's got strong relationships in Norman as well, but I've also now had multiple people close to the recruitment Oklahoma won't be the pick. One thing feels certain, two schools are getting left at the alter. There's also a feeling this recruitment might not be over even after this evening's commitment.

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Football Kyle Crooks officially named Nebraska football's play-by-play voice

Story via Nebraska Athletics:

Kyle Crooks officially named Nebraska football's play-by-play voice

Playfly Sports and Nebraska Athletics announced Monday the hiring of Kyle Crooks as the new play-by-play voice of Nebraska Football. In his role as the Director of Broadcasting for the Huskers Radio Network, Crooks will also co-host the network’s Sports Nightly show.

Crooks comes to Nebraska after eight years as Broadcast Coordinator and play-by-play broadcaster at the University of Florida. In his time with the Gators, Crooks worked on the radio network's football, men's basketball, baseball, softball and soccer broadcasts. Additionally, he has broadcasted events for the SEC Network+ digital platform. Alongside his play-by-play work, Crooks helped guide the behind-the-scenes effort for the radio network's social media tasks and day-to-day operations.

“I am incredibly excited for this opportunity! It’s a dream come true to broadcast the great moments ahead for the Cornhuskers,” Crooks said. “I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and meet Husker Nation. It will be an honor to work alongside a talented team in the Greg Sharpe Radio Booth. Greg is a legend in the broadcast industry and beyond, and I will work passionately to continue his elite standard of excellence both in the booth and in the community.”

During his time in Florida, Crooks also became a voice for the ‘College Football Game of the Week’ on the National Sports Network. His national work also included play-by-play duties with SEC radio at the women's basketball and softball conference tournaments.

“Kyle Crooks is a rising star in the broadcast world, and we are thrilled to have him join the Huskers Radio Network and our Nebraska family,” Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “Kyle’s play-by-play abilities and voice speak for themselves, and I was equally impressed with his dedication to his craft and his energy.

“I would like to credit Playfly Sports for leading a successful search with many excellent candidates. Kyle will be a great lead voice on one of the nation’s best football broadcasts, and we are so fortunate to have him join our impressive group of play-by-play voices across all sports.”

Crooks will anchor the Huskers Radio Network football broadcast, with Damon Benning serving as analyst and Jessica Coody handling sideline duties, and several other voices being part of the pre and post-game shows. Crooks joins a group of play-by-play talent that includes Kent Pavelka in men’s basketball, John Baylor in volleyball, Matt Coatney in women’s basketball, Ben McLaughlin and Nick Handley on baseball and Nate Rohr on softball. Crooks will join Coody as the co-host of the Sports Nightly show.

“The radio and multi-media network at Nebraska is the standard bearer in the industry,” Playfly Vice President Andrew Waters said. “Kyle's experience and dedication will be an excellent match with one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. We are extremely excited to have Kyle represent the Huskers for many years to come.”

Before arriving in Gainesville in 2017, Crooks had NCAA Division I broadcasting stops at Fairleigh Dickinson and USC Upstate. In 2015, Kyle worked in minor league baseball as a Broadcast/Media Relations Assistant with the Jacksonville Suns, the double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

As a 2014 graduate of William Paterson University, he also served as the Sports Director of the campus radio station WPSC 88.7 FM. Kyle was born and raised in Pompton Plains, N.J. His mother, Brenda, and brothers Jack, Mike, and Dan still reside in New Jersey. His late father, John, remains a main inspiration to this day.

Nebraska Pic.jpg
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Sorenson comment...

"I think their quarterback situation for the next eight years is great with Dylan and Dayton and then Trae Taylor," Sorensen said. "So I think all those guys coming in, especially with the guys I know are most likely headed there, it'll be a force to be reckoned with."

This made my ears perk up. I hope he knows of some big silent commits that will be announcing soon!
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Wrestling: Huskers Look Ahead to 2025-26 Slate

Story via Nebraska Athletics:

Huskers Look Ahead to 2025-26 Slate

After a historical season, the Nebraska wrestling team has a reloaded roster and is looking ahead to its challenging non-conference schedule and Big Ten rotation for the 2025-26 season. The Big Red will host four duals outside of the Big Ten, including top-10 team finishers Oklahoma State and Northern Iowa. The Huskers will compete in three tournaments, highlighted by the National Duals Invitational.

NU opens at the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md., aiming for its fourth-straight team title at the tournament. The Huskers will look to defend their title on November 2. For its first dual of the season, Nebraska will host Army at the Devaney Sports Center on November 7.

Hitting the road for another tournament, NU will travel to Tulsa, Okla., for the National Duals Invitational. The invitational will feature 16 teams, including 11 of the top-12 teams in the final 2025 NCAA standings, and has a total purse of over $1 million up for grabs. The tournament will be November 15-16 at the BOK Center.

On December 5, the Huskers will head to St. Charles, Mo., for Hustle in the Heartland featuring Mizzou and Brown. Returning to Lincoln for a home stand, NU will host North Carolina on December 19 and Oklahoma State on December 21. The Huskers then welcome Northern Iowa on January 3 for their final non-conference dual. The Big Red will take on Utah Valley on the road on February 21 before beginning postseason competition.

The Huskers also have their Big Ten opponent rotation set, with dates and times to be determined. Nebraska will host Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue and Ohio State, and travel to Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Penn State.

The 2025-26 slate features seven duals against top-10 team finishers from the 2025 NCAA tournament. NU’s duals will take on ten programs who closed the previous regular season in the NWCA top-25 rankings.

Non-Conference Schedule:
Nov. 2 - at Navy Classic
Nov. 7 - vs. Army
Nov. 15-16 - at National Duals Invitational
Dec. 5 - at Hustle in the Heartland (Mizzou, Brown)
Dec. 19 - vs. North Carolina
Dec. 21 - vs. Oklahoma State
Jan. 3 - vs. Northern Iowa
Feb. 21 - at Utah Valley

Conference Opponent Rotation:
Away: Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Penn State
Home: Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue, Ohio State

National Championships Won in 2024-2025

A comprehensive list of national championships won in each NCAA sanctioned sport (Division I) in the 2024-2025 season. Also will list the number of championships won by conference.

Baseball
LSU (SEC)

Basketball (Men)
Florida (SEC)

Basketball (Women)
Connecticut (Big East)

Beach Volleyball
TCU (Big 12)

Bowling
Youngstown State (CUSA)

Cross Country (Men)
Brigham Young (Big 12)

Cross Country (Women)
Brigham Young (Big 12)

Fencing
Notre Dame (ACC)

Field Hockey
Northwestern (Big Ten)

Football (FBS)
Ohio State (Big Ten)

Football (FCS)
North Dakota State (Missouri Valley)

Golf (Men)
Oklahoma State (Big 12)

Golf (Women)
Northwestern (Big Ten)

Gymnastics (Men)
Michigan (Big Ten)

Gymnastics (Women)
Oklahoma (SEC)

Ice Hockey (Men)
Western Michigan (NCHC)

Ice Hockey (Women)
Wisconsin (WCHA)

Indoor Track & Field (Men)
USC (Big Ten)

Indoor Track & Field (Women)
Oregon (Big Ten)

Lacrosse (Men)
Cornell (Ivy League)

Lacrosse (Women)
North Carolina (ACC)

Outdoor Track & Field (Men)
Texas A&M (SEC)
USC (Big Ten)

Outdoor Track & Field (Women)
Georgia (SEC)

Rifle
West Virginia (GARC)

Rowing
Stanford (ACC)

Skiing
Utah (RMISA)

Soccer (Men)
Vermont (America East)

Soccer (Women)
North Carolina (ACC)

Softball
Texas (SEC)

Swimming & Diving (Men)
Texas (SEC)

Swimming & Diving (Women)
Virginia (ACC)

Tennis (Men)
Wake Forest (ACC)

Tennis (Women)
Georgia (SEC)

Volleyball (Men)
Long Beach State (Big West)

Volleyball (Women)
Penn State (Big Ten)

Water Polo (Men)
UCLA (MPSF)

Water Polo (Women)
Stanford (MPSF)

Wrestling
Penn State (Big Ten)

=====================

Championships Per Conference
Big Ten - 9
SEC - 8
ACC - 6
Big 12 - 4
MPSF - 2
America East - 1
Big East - 1
Big West - 1
CUSA - 1
GARC - 1
Ivy League - 1
Missouri Valley - 1
NCHC - 1
RMSIA - 1
WCHA - 1

Big Ten - 9
Field Hockey, Football (FBS), Women's Golf, Men's Gymnastics, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Women's Indoor Track & Field, Men's Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Volleyball, Wrestling

SEC - 8
Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Gymnastics, Men's Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Outdoor Track & Field, Softball, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis

ACC - 6
Fencing, Women's Lacrosse, Rowing, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis

Big 12 - 4
Beach Volleyball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Men's Golf

MPSF - 2
Men's Water Polo, Women's Water Polo

America East - 1
Men's Soccer

Big East - 1
Women's Basketball

Big West - 1
Men's Volleyball

CUSA - 1
Bowling

GARC - 1
Rifle

Ivy League - 1
Men's Lacrosse

Missouri Valley - 1
Football (FCS)

National Collegiate Hockey Conference - 1
Men's Ice Hockey

RMSIA - 1
Skiing

WCHA - 1
Women's Ice Hockey

GARC = Great America Rifle Conference
MPSF = Mountain Pacific Sports Federation
NCHC = National Collegiate Hockey Conference
RMSIA = Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association
WCHA = Western Collegiate Hockey Association
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