Friday Five: Volleyball legends, Hall of Famers and a new NIL playbook

This week we’re talking Nebraska volleyball legends, football's stacked 2025 Hall of Fame class, a bill that could reshape college sports and more.

Photo courtesy Nebraska Athletics

We’re seven weeks from kickoff and we know what you’re thinking: finally, time to break down Scott Frost’s Big 12 Media Days appearance in full detail.

Just kidding.

This week’s Friday Five kicks off with a volleyball legend, takes a look at a loaded Hall of Fame class, says goodbye (again) to a 2023 wideout, checks in on the NBA Summer League and finishes with a bipartisan bill that could reshape college sports.

Let’s dive in.

Jordan Larson headlines Nebraska Volleyball Alumni Match

Nebraska volleyball legend Jordan Larson will lead a group of former Huskers in the first-ever Alumni Match, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Larson, a three-time All-American (2005–08) and 2006 national champion, is one of the most decorated players in the sport’s history. She’s earned four Olympic medals—tied for the most ever by a women’s volleyball player—including gold with Team USA in 2021.

She’ll be joined by fellow former Huskers Kelly Hunter, Lauren Stivrins, Kenzie Maloney, Ally Batenhorst, Lindsay Krause and Leyla Blackwell in a best-of-five format against the 2025 team.

Tickets for the match went on sale Thursday.

Nebraska Football Hall of Fame announces stacked 2025 class

Six former Huskers are headed to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame this fall, alongside one state college standout and two longtime contributors. And for the first time, a Hall of Fame Legend Award will be presented with 1972 Heisman winner Johnny Rodgers as the inaugural recipient.

The new inductees include:

• Tom Welter, standout OT in the 1980s and Academic All-American

• Derek Brown, 1990s I-back with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons

• Dahrran Diedrick, 2001 Big 12 rushing leader and longtime CFL pro

• Brett Maher, two-time Big Ten Kicker of the Year and current NU staffer

• Kenny Bell, former all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards

• Bob Nelson, 1970s LB with an 11-year NFL career and two Super Bowl rings

Omaha’s Tom Sutko (1978–80) joins them from the state college ranks, and Dennis LeBlanc and Dr. Robert Dugas will be honored with the Lyell Bremser and Clarence Swanson Memorial Awards, respectively.

The induction ceremony takes place Friday, Sept. 12, with in-stadium recognition the following day during Nebraska’s game against Houston Christian.

Jaidyn Doss enters the transfer portal

Jaidyn Doss officially entered the transfer portal this week, marking the end of what once looked like a promising 2023 receiver class. With Malachi Coleman at Minnesota and Jalyen Lloyd at Oklahoma State, Doss’ departure leaves only Demitrius Bell from the original group.

Doss caught just two passes for 20 yards in 2023 before redshirting and briefly moved to defensive back in 2024. He returned to receiver this spring, but entered the portal as a designated athlete under the House settlement. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining.

The turnover hasn’t been limited to the freshman class, either. Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda and Alex Bullock, both contributors last year, are now at South Dakota State.

Four former Huskers land Summer League roster spots

Nebraska men’s basketball will be well represented at the NBA 2K26 Summer League, with four former Huskers suiting up in Las Vegas.

• Brice Williams (Pistons): Coming off a 20.4 ppg senior season and College Basketball Crown title, Williams looks to turn a historic Nebraska season into a long-term pro career.

• Juwan Gary (Clippers): Gary averaged 14.6 points last year and was the Crown Basketball Tournament MVP, finishing his college career with 1,299 points (including time at Alabama).

• Keisei Tominaga (Pacers): Tominaga averaged 5.4 points with the Indiana Mad Ants and shot nearly 47% from three. He joins the Summer League roster as he looks to stick with the Pacers organization.

• Jack McVeigh (Hawks): McVeigh returns stateside after a season with the Rockets' G League squad and a strong showing for Australia in the Olympics, where he shot 52% from the field.

Every NBA team plays four games from July 10–17, with the top four advancing to the playoffs. Semifinals will be July 19, with the title game set for July 20 on ESPN.

A bipartisan NIL bill could reshape college athletics

The newly introduced SCORE Act has bipartisan backing and could bring long-awaited clarity to the world of name, image and likeness. The bill prevents athletes from being classified as employees but includes new benefits and protections:

• Allows athletes to be compensated for NIL with federal guidelines overriding state laws

• Caps agent fees at 5% and tightens agent oversight

• Requires schools to offer financial, legal, academic, and wellness support

• Guarantees post-injury medical care for three years after leaving school

• Sets a revenue-sharing framework of up to 22% of average annual revenue

As Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR) put it: “The NIL marketplace in college sports is currently operating like the Wild Wild West. This legislation takes important steps towards adding guardrails that guarantee that all student-athletes can earn fair compensation.”

The act would also shield conferences from antitrust lawsuits and empower a new “NIL Go” commission to monitor deals over $600.

If passed, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The Athletic’s Scott Dochtermann has a full report worth checking out. Certainly more to come here.

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And that’s that, for now.

Thanks, as always, for reading and for supporting independent coverage of Nebraska athletics.