Big Red’s Best: Johnson and Frahm Shine at Lied Awards
Nebraska’s annual “A Night at the Lied” ceremony celebrated top Husker athletes from 24 varsity programs. Male Athlete of the Year went to Emmett Johnson after his 1,451-yard, 12-touchdown season and fifth-round NFL Draft selection. Jordy Frahm earned Female Athlete of the Year honors, hitting .423 with 17 homers and leading the nation in saves. Basketball standout Braden Frager was named Male Rookie of the Year after averaging nearly 15 points per game and keying a Sweet 16 run. Softball phenom Alexis Jensen took Female Rookie of the Year, posting a 19–2 record with 174 strikeouts and .333 batting. Gymnast Asher Cohen and thrower Axelina Johansson were recognized as the Most Outstanding Male and Female Student-Athletes, respectively, for combining national titles and high GPAs.
Finally, a night where Nebraska’s trophy case doesn’t just collect dust! Johnson gets a pat on the back just for remembering how to spell “touchdown,” while Frahm somehow juggles pitching and hitting like she’s in a circus act—because who doesn’t love a two-way phenom? Frager’s rookie wizardry means fans can stop pretending that Fred Hoiberg isn’t still figuring out rotations, and Jensen’s breakneck ERA has opponents googling “what is a softball?” Cohen captures still rings glory—because swinging from rings in college clearly prepares you for life’s real challenges, like opening a stubborn jar of pickles—and Johansson throws heavy metal shots, literally proving that Nebraska’s throwing program is two parts iron, three parts ice cream. It’s award season, so let’s all bask in Husker grandeur until the next ceremony—perhaps the one for Best Overhyped Press Release?
Why Nebraska’s NFL Factory Is Still Under Construction
Since Matt Rhule took over Nebraska football in late 2022, his promise to build a developmental powerhouse hasn’t translated into high NFL Draft picks. In the 2026 draft, only Emmett Johnson, the Big Ten’s leading rusher, was selected—and not until the fifth round. Scouts’ Nebraska bias was evident as seven running backs went before him, while similar talents at Texas A&M and elsewhere soared into earlier rounds. Rhule’s NFL connections haven’t yet turned into draft capital, highlighting how the “red N” still carries a stigma. Though the program has stabilized with back-to-back bowl appearances and a stronger foundation, Nebraska needs more early-day selections to prove its developmental bona fides.
It appears the Cornhuskers have a PhD in Peaking Too Late: promising ground-up rebuild, only to discover that the NFL Draft is run by folks still traumatized by the ’90s. Emmett Johnson finally gets picked, but only after consults with a Magic 8-Ball and a lengthy focus-group test. Meanwhile, Rhule’s “NFL Rolodex” must be lost somewhere between “Making Friends in 30 Days” and “Networking for Dummies.” Scouts apparently judge talent by helmet color rather than playmakers—the red “N” is apparently the new “kick me” sign. Nebraska may have a blueprint for success, but until they convince braintrusts that Husker tape isn’t coated in sepia tone, they’ll keep drafting players from the Big Ten’s second cousin programs. Keep building that foundation—eventually someone might break ground on pick day.
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