Norfolk senior signs with Nebraska, excited to take next step in football career

NORFOLK, Neb. — Norfolk High senior Rowdy Bauer put pen to paper after signing with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a walk-on on Wednesday.

Bauer finished the 2023 season with 719 yards and nine touchdowns on 110 carries.

The utility player for the Panthers amassed almost 1,100 all-purpose yards and averaged over 100 yards a game.

On the defensive side of the ball, Bauer recorded 27 total tackles and an interception in 2023.

“It’s just been like a dream come true the last couple of weeks," Bauer said. "It’s been a big relief to achieve something I’ve always wanted to be able to do.”

Bauer received interest from other schools like Wyoming, New Mexico, and Louisiana-Monroe.

As a walk-on with the Cornhuskers, Bauer said Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule told him about his experience as a walk-on back when Rhule was at Penn State.

“That was one of the first things he told me when I met him," Bauer said. "[Rhule said] ‘I was a walk-on so it means more to me.’ It also means a lot to me just doing things the hard way. I feel like that’s what I’ve done to be able to get to this opportunity so that’s what I’m going to have to do at Nebraska and I’m definitely willing to do that. I’m excited.”

He said the coaching staff at Nebraska have told him he will be playing both sides of the ball and sees it as an opportunity to give success to the team.

Bauer is the third walk-on in the Norfolk region joining Battle Creek Trent Uhlir and Norfolk Catholic Nolan Fennessey at Nebraska.