A growing frame and rising pitch velocity helped Jacob Willardson draw the attention of Nebraska baseball coaches. Now he’s a future Husker with both team and player sold on the outlook of the other.
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Photos: 2026 Nebraska baseball and softball fan day
Nebraska's Ava Kuszak hands back a Herbie bobblehead she signed for Lyla Kleymann, 10, during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Talia Tokheim signs a poster for a fan during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Fans wait for autographs during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Katelyn Caneda signs a glove during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Jordyn Frahm signs a poster for Madilynn Rea, 6, during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Fans queue outside the Hawks Championship Center for Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Kennadi Williams signs a ball for a fan during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Fans wait for autographs during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Max Buettenback signs a baseball bat for a fan during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Reed Strohmeyer autographs a helmet during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Nessa McMillen is surprised with flowers from her boyfriend Joe Stein during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Joey Senstock inspects a mini helmet before signing for a fan during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Pryce Bender autographs a mini helmet for a fan during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Case Sanderson autographs a poster during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Kylee Magee autographs a softball for a fan during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Alina Felix and Dakota Carter autograph posters for fans during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Skarlett Jones autographs a softball for a fan during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Fans wait for autographs during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Landry Obermeyer, 5, watches on as Nebraska's Emmerson Cope autographs her poster during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Fans wait for autographs during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Fans wait for autographs during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Kids attempt to field a fly ball during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Lawson Koch, 14, hits a ball during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Kids attempt to field a ground ball during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Madi Carnley, 12, during hits a ball Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Fans wait for autographs during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Miken Miller reacts as he talks with fans during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Nebraska's Lauren Camenzind autographs a Herbie bobblehead during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Jud Jesske watches on as Ty Horn signs a large baseball for him during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Jesske's son, Will Jesske, is a outfielder for Nebraska baseball.
Nebraska's Will Bolt talks to fans during Nebraska's baseball and softball fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
