A whole new world

Honestly, I’m just not quite sure what to make of the NCAA’s new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) guidelines. It’s all coming at me way too fast.
On one hand, you have Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez inking a deal with Degree Deodorant, Lexi Sun clothing website going live at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, and Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who might be the first player picked in next April’s NFL draft, coming out with his own art piece.
Then there’s the Miami Hurricanes. Each football player will receive $500 per month if they promote a South Florida mixed martial arts gym on social media. Pretty good money for a college student.
Additionally, there’s Runza and the Nebraska statewide college athlete deals as well, including Austin Allen, a self-proclaimed fan of McDonald’s.
Excuse me while my head spins.
In the good ol’ days it used to be enough just to try to keep track of Husker teams during the summer, including recruiting, injuries, schedules, and more, but this is getting a bit more than my brain can handle.
Anymore, there’s more breaking news out there about NIL than about teams in general. Such is the new world of college sports.
My question is, are high school athletes next?
***
Husker volleyball undoubtedly has the best recruiting pitch in the history of the sport.
Former Huskers Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson and Justine Wong-Orantes will possibly all start for the U.S.A. Olympic team that will attempt to earn a gold medal for the first time ever in Japan later this month.
After watching highlights of their recent FIVB league championship season from Italy, it’s clear that Nebraska will be on center stage when matches begin, minus the fans.
And in a bit of irony, just last week three incoming freshmen for head coach John Cook were chosen to represent the United States at the 2021 FIVB Women’s U20 World Championship July 9-18 in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Outside hitter Ally Battenhorst from Texas (the National Gatorade Player of the Year and the nation’s No. 3 overall prospect), outside hitter Lindsay Krause from Omaha Skutt (the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year and the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect), and Lexi Rodriquez (the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year and the nation’s top libero prospect) all made the 12-person roster, duplicating their older Husker volleyball family members.
And don’t sleep on setter Kennedy Orr from Minnesota, who arrived in January from Minnesota as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, and Madi Kubik’s little sister from Iowa, Hayden, will join the team in 2022. She is ranked No. 1 overall as well.
I’m guessing the sellout streak at Devaney isn’t going to end any time soon.
***
College football guru Phil Steele has predicted the Huskers to finish in a tie for fourth in the Big Ten’s Western Division. I know I’m living in the past and always will, but boy that feels like a slap in the face.
His predicted order of finish includes Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern, Nebraska and Minnesota, followed by Purdue and Illinois.
No one has out-recruited Scott Frost in the last two or three seasons in the West, so for me, it’s time to put up or shut up. I know that’s how many of the coaches and players feel as well. Aug. 28 simply can’t come soon enough.
DAVE BRADLEY can be reached at advertising@hamilton.net.