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The Nebraska football team took part in a dunk contest during the halftime break of the Cornhuskers‘ latest basketball matchup with Minnesota. A few players flashed some incredible athleticism on the floor, with one even using head coach Matt Rhule as a prop!
Freshman defensive back Jeremiah Charles went on to win the event with some rim rattling jams, with sophomore tight end Thomas Fidone finishing runner-up.
Fidone made waves with a Jordan-esque leap from the free throw line, but it was Charles who stole the show.
The DB threw down a between-the-legs slam, as well as a few windmill dunks to take first place.
DUNK CONTEST!
Six Nebraska football players compete in a dunk contest during halftime of the #Huskers game.
Jeremiah Charles has HOPS! He’s the winner, beating Thomas Fidone in the finals.
Fun time. Crowd loved it. No injuries.@1011_News @HuskerFootball pic.twitter.com/HpHixlHcAU
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) February 26, 2024
Even Matt Rhule got involved in the competition, being used as a prop by Emmett Johnson.
The running back brought the head coach onto the court, positioned him under the basket, and proceeded to leap over him for the jam.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/FHLZR8zYH1
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) February 26, 2024
While the dunk contest was done in good fun, that athletic display could give an early look at Nebraska football’s playmakers for next year.
The Cornhuskers are expected to be much improved in Matt Rhule’s 2nd year.
Brad Crawford of 24/7 Sports believes Nebraska could be a dark horse threat in the Big Ten. While the Huskers went just 5-7 last year, he sees a marked improvement coming in 2024.
There is a path to nine wins (or more) for Nebraska this season if the Huskers are able to establish early momentum… The Huskers could be favored in their first seven games prior to a road trip to Ohio State. They only play one opponent ranked inside the preseason top 20. Rhule and his coaching staff need to do everything they can to take advantage of this schedule as a potential dark horse in the conference.
Momentum is at a high in Lincoln with five-star passer Dylan Raiola coming in to potentially lead the offense as a freshman.
The ’24 campaign kicks off with a home game against UTEP on August 31.