Luke Lindenmeyer: If you want to be a college athlete, if you want to be a great college athlete, like you have to make sacrifices. Those sacrifices, they suck in the moment. Like, we're not going to be able to do what most college students do, but it's going to be worth it.

Amelis Long: Welcome back to The Vault. I'm your host, Amelis.

Being a student athlete at a major university is about much more than game day. It's balancing practices, workouts, classes, travel, relationships and preparing for life after college, all while competing at the highest level.

Today we're joined by two Nebraska football players who are living that experience every day — Luke Lindenmeyer, tight end, and Nyziah Hunter, wide receiver. We're going to talk about what it really takes to balance athletics and academics, the habits they've developed, what they've learned about money and responsibility and how they're preparing for whatever comes next.

Luke and Isaiah, welcome to the podcast. Thanks for being here.

Luke Lindenmyer: Thanks for having us.

Amelis Long: Yeah, I think our fans that are watching are like really excited about today's episode and they want to hear a little bit about behind the scenes. You mentioned it's early today doing the podcast, but it's not an early day for you. So, let's just start with what's a day like? What's a normal day like?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Well, we're just coming off of fall camp, but now that we're in the season, classes start. We actually changed our schedule. The whole time I've been here, we practice in the morning, but now we switched it to meetings in the afternoon and practice around nighttime to try to get our bodies ready for the afternoon games and evening games that we're going to play. We have lift options throughout the day. Coach really emphasized sleep for us this year — sleep is like one of the biggest things to perform at a high level. So, you sleep in now with this new schedule, and we have lunch, and then in the afternoon we'll have meetings leading up into practice. That probably lasts from around 2:00 to about 7:30 after recovery and dinner too.

Amelis Long: Meanwhile, being a Husker football player is super important, particularly in the state of Nebraska – we love our football, but you're students first, right? So, I think you're entering your final semester at Nebraska, and you're a junior, is that right?

So, tell me a little bit: what are you majoring in? How are your studies going? What do you like about your classes? What does that look like?

Luke Lindenmeyer: I'm majoring in finance with a minor in entrepreneurship, and this is my last semester. I kind of set it up perfectly to make it my easiest semester. I've already done all the hard work, the hard studying, and this semester I'm more of an athlete-student than a student-athlete. Me and my academic advisor set it up that way, so.

Amelis Long: Okay! I love the smart planning. And a finance major — I mean, you're at a bank right now. Yeah, maybe we can do a little interview tips for what comes next.

Luke Lindenmeyer: Yeah, that would be good.

Amelis Long: Sounds good! Nyziah, what's your major?

Nyziah Hunter: My major is child, youth and family studies. And, with me, I obviously want to go to the NFL, but after my career in the NFL, I've always wanted to be a coach or like do something to work with children. And like, I feel like that major is going to help me pursue something that I want to do after my career in the NFL.

Amelis Long: I think a lot of folks who watch football have probably misconceptions about what it's like to be a student-athlete, or a temporary athlete-student. But there is a balance of getting a degree and planning your future. So, what would you say the misconceptions are around that?

Nyziah Hunter: Yeah, well, for us, we do have academic blocks where we can go in and get extra studying time and like extra help from our tutors. So, we have to go and do our schoolwork and stuff like that. But like for me, like I go in and do all my work and then I go right to football after that. So, I make sure everything's done throughout the day so I can just have a clear mind throughout practice.

Luke Lindenmeyer: And for me, it's hard — especially last year with all the finance classes and I started to play a bit more. So, my time just shrank, and just getting ahead of all my schoolwork was a big deal for me. And, that really takes out a lot of time to do other things.

Amelis Long: Yeah, I think that's probably one of the – that misconception – and I'm really glad you addressed it because I think sometimes we think, oh gosh, they're there to play football and they're not worrying about school as much, worrying about what happens on the field. And it's very much the opposite for you guys. You want to have that schoolwork taken care of, that future planning, that anchoring yourself so that you can have a clear head and then go play a great game of football. That's a balance in and of itself that every college student is trying to strike of finding the fun in college, but also doing what you're there to do.

So how do you have that quintessential college experience being an athlete and still wanting to have that whole college wrapped-around experience?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Honestly, I don't think I've had a college experience. I think it's really hard to do that as an athlete. I mean, I've been able to go to like basketball games — I love going to basketball games, I love basketball — and the volleyball games. But, if you want to be a college athlete, if you want to be a great college athlete, like you have to make sacrifices. And I mean, those sacrifices, they suck in the moment. Like, we're not going to be able to do what most college students do, but it's going to be worth it. Like we have dreams and aspirations we want to get to, and that – we've got to do the work that requires that. That comes with sacrifices, and I think having a normal college experience, that's one of the sacrifices we make.

Amelis Long: Yeah. Uh huh.

Nyziah Hunter: I agree with Luke. Like you really have to like sacrifice everything you get because like we came here to be an athlete, not to do all the college stuff. Like we came here to be athletes. So, like, really like, I sacrifice like going out with teammates, going out with other college students — like doing stuff like that is really a distraction. So, like trying to eliminate all the distractions is really like a goal for us as athletes.

Amelis Long: Yeah, which makes me think of responsibility — a huge part of being an athlete and something we wanted to talk about. So with the introduction of NIL, you've kind of added another responsibility on your plate as a student-athlete. Now you're thinking about your own image, your own brand, and the financial responsibility that comes with that. And as a bank and bankers, that's stuff we're talking about with our customers all the time. So, how have you introduced this new responsibility of managing money and managing kind of your plans for the future like you talked about earlier Nyziah?

Nyziah Hunter: Yeah, for me, well I try to spend as least amount of money as I can. But like, for my future stuff, I always want to just put myself in the best position I can for like either money-wise or like family-wise. I like always think about my life after football, so like with money, like I've always tried to save my money, even when I was younger.

Luke Lindenmeyer: That's why I majored in finance — because I wanted to be smart with money and learn how to make my money work for me. And, I'm a big saver. And NIL has been such a blessing. I've been able to pay for a wedding, a honeymoon, all of that, but also been able to help out my family. Because they took a chance on me for walking on at Nebraska, and I always told them I'd pay them back. Football doesn't last forever, so knowing that, and knowing I'm going to need savings for when football is over eventually.

Amelis Long: Uh huh. Thank you for sharing, and congratulations!

Luke Lindenmeyer: Yeah, thank you.

Amelis Long: That's a whole other thing we could talk about. You had a huge viral moment and asking your now-wife to be your fiancé at the time. So, you had your first touchdown, and then you had this huge surprise planned and it seemed like the team was in on it. What a game! What a moment!

Luke Lindenmeyer: Yeah, that was really cool. It was way bigger than I thought it would be. I remember I texting our video guy — I just need a couple of pictures, at least get me getting down on one knee. Yeah. it was awesome. Dr. Elza helped do everything logistically, getting her family on the field. It was a great moment. It was awesome.

Amelis Long: It was a lot of fun to watch, and congratulations again.

Luke Lindenmeyer: I appreciate that. Thank you.

Amelis Long: Yeah. Nyziah, you had your own viral moment last year — a touchdown with one shoe. Wowzers! As if talent wasn't enough, then you can do it with one shoe! Talk to us about that.

Nyziah Hunter: Yeah, well honestly, that's like, that was like a big moment for me because I didn't even realize my shoe was off when I got in the end zone. But it was just like the adversity we were facing at that moment, and just like that play was just meant to happen. Like, I was just, I'm just so grateful that I was able to be able to make that play with one shoe on.

Amelis Long: Yeah, I can't do it with two shoes on, or a jet, so yeah, you're right about that.

Nyziah Hunter: Yeah, I was, I was thinking, like if I had two shoes on, what like what my top speed would have been? But that moment for me was just a great moment. I'm glad that I made it happen.

Amelis Long: Two really movie moments in the 2025 season for you guys. Really special. So, let's talk about the season ahead. What are you guys most looking forward to?

Nyziah Hunter: I'm excited just to go out there and take the field with my teammates. Like, we've been working so hard throughout the summer and just we're just ready to show our skills again and just be able to play football again. But like, one game I'm excited about is to play Ohio State. For me, like I have high standards for myself, so like when I play Ohio State, it's going to be a good game for me.

Amelis Long: Luke?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Well this is my last season — I've got no more years. I'm just excited to go out there one more, one last season with the guys. It's crazy — like each year it's the same stadium, but each year it's a whole completely different team. And just doing it with new guys each and every year. And we've been working since January, ever since the bowl game. I'm tired of blocking Anthony Jones and Cameron Lenhardt over and over again, and I can't wait to block another team and go up against another team.

Amelis Long: Exciting – it'll be here before we know it.

So, let's talk a little bit about leadership. So, you mentioned earlier you've made a lot of sacrifices to be a student-athlete, and when I think about sacrifice, I think that's a huge step in being a leader. Talk to us about what it means to be a leader individually and as part of a team.

Luke Lindenmeyer: Well, being a leader, first you've got to earn respect. You've got to have the respect of your teammates for them to even listen to you. When I walked on, you know, I was a leader of myself at first. You know – working hard, taking initiative to do extra work. And then once I started getting the respect of my teammates and they started seeing I worked hard in practice, I was making plays, then I could start being a leader of others. And just being who you say you are and being consistent in that and not just like acting like the tough guy, acting like a leader, but actually doing it each and every day.

For me, a big step for me this year was being more of a vocal leader because last year I was, I've always been kind of a lead-by-example guy, not really a rah-rah guy. But Coach Mosey, actually is on our staff, he's the one who help push me to know that my voice has power. When I say something, people listen. So, just being ready for those moments and having the confidence to say something.

Amelis Long: Nyziah, how about you as a leader? What does that look like for you?

Nyziah Hunter: My young receivers they like to look to me as a leader because I lead by example. I come in on time, I eat breakfast on time, I show up early. Just doing the little things shows how you can earn respect from your teammates. And when you do things right — I feel like for me, this year, I've got to be more of a vocal leader, because like Luke said, our voices matter to the team. That's what I'm really working on as a leader this year.

Amelis Long: Yeah, so talk to us about how the team comes together. When you use your voice in the right moment, what does that do for the team?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Going through things in the offseason together, having moments off the field together, really knowing each other on and off the field. Throughout the offseason, we did a lot of walk-and-talks – so they put us in groups, we have a shared question, and we just talked about it — sharing like who our hero is in our life, what hardships we've been through – things like that - our stories, our backgrounds. I always like asking transfers or new even guys why they came to Nebraska, because I've been here forever and I just like to know what brings other people here.

Amelis Long: Yeah, for sure — the choice to be here is part of the bond, right? Nyziah, you chose to come to Nebraska after being with another team. So why Nebraska for you?

Nyziah Hunter: Well, honestly, the fan base is phenomenal and -

Amelis Long: You know that's right!

Nyziah Hunter: People are so nice here, it's all welcome arms here. Like, I actually do love being here because like everybody wants the best out of everybody. Even Coach Ruhle, when I first met him, he told me like you're going to be a star player here and that's another reason why I came to Nebraska — Coach Ruhle is such an amazing guy on and off the field. He goes to every sporting event, he shows love to every fan, and he's always the same person every day. And I just, I just love him.

Amelis Long: And I know you're from Papillion, just down the road, but still, you still made a choice to stay in Nebraska. So why, Luke?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Well, it was really, the fan base too. I went to every home game my senior year and I just fell in love with it. The fans were amazing. I think it was a game versus Purdue in 2021 where I was like, yeah, this is where I want to go. And I had offers to small schools, but I just wanted to make it happen and do whatever I could to play.

Amelis Long: It's also a journey for you, right? Because you took a bet on yourself — you said you had opportunities to play at smaller schools, but you ultimately followed your heart, picked Nebraska, and now you're a leader on the team.

Luke Lindenmeyer: You know, I had no idea that I would even play, first of all. When I walked on, I was 12th string tight end. We had like 160 guys on the roster, and there wasn't even room in the main locker room — they stuffed all the walk-ons and freshmen into an auxiliary locker room, way far away from the main team. But I had a trainer and mentor named Yano Jones. He passed away two years ago, sadly, but he believed in me. I remember training in his garage — he was working me, and I sat on his couch after the workout, sweaty and dripping. But he was talking about the NFL Draft with me and how he couldn't wait to be there to watch me get drafted and I didn't have any offers at this point. And just that belief he put in me meant I had no choice but to believe in myself. Coming into college, I wanted to prove him right — like everything he said. Just the people who believed in me and gave me a chance — I'm doing it for them.

Amelis Long: Let's talk more about those people in your life that kind of helped guide you to this moment. So, people like Yano, and Nyziah, there are probably hundreds of people in your life that you can think of who have guided you to this moment. So, talk to us about those impactful people — those hidden heroes.

Nyziah Hunter: Well, for me, my hero is my mom. She sacrificed so much for me to play football — like getting me to football practice when I was younger and just all the financial stuff she had to go through. But my hero is my mom and just everything I do is for her. Every time I take the field, I think in the back of my head that I've got to make this play for my mom, because she sacrificed. She got me where I'm supposed to be at and she got me here to play football. So that's my biggest hero in my life.

Amelis Long: What's mom's name?

Nyziah Hunter: Alicia.

Amelis Long: Alicia, thank you so much. Anyone else you want to reflect on, Luke?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Both my parents — they both went to Army West Point, and that was the place where I had an offer from. When I was coming down to my decision to either taking a full ride there or walking on at Nebraska, they were 100% supportive of me, and they've been to every game. Even though they moved to Florida. After I came to college, they left me in Nebraska but yeah they've been so supportive through everything.

When Coach Holgorson came and gave me a chance to be a starter when I was third string at the time — and Coach Mozee too, he's been pouring a lot of belief into me. And Coach Ruhle. Coach Ruhle - when you play for someone like Coach Ruhle - you have no choice but to grind and want to play for him and want do everything he says.

Amelis Long: What is your favorite game day tradition?

Nyziah Hunter: Well, for me, it's every morning — my mom will text me a good morning text, but she'll also send a prayer before every game just to pray over me and make sure I keep my head clear. Because like you can't be thinking while you're out there, because if you think, you're going to mess up. So like every morning, my mom will text me like a huge paragraph and I read it — I usually read it before games too because it gives me some motivation of that's my why.

Amelis Long: Alicia, coming in clutch again. I love it.

Luke Lindenmeyer: Well for me, I've got to eat the same thing. I gotta drink the same thing.

Amelis Long: Which is?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Beet juice with some Crystal Light in it, and a cookies and cream Honey Stinger waffle. Have to.

Amelis Long: Okay. I mean I'll join you for one of those. The other one – questionable choice.

Luke Lindenmeyer: And I listen to the same playlist in the same order, I take a lap around the field listening to the same song, and then I sit near the goalposts and I read my Bible. And then leading up to the game, some of the Nebraska traditions I love is the Husker prayer we do before the tunnel walk. Everything at Memorial Stadium is awesome.

Amelis Long: A little bit of something for you and a little bit of something for the community.

Amelis Long: How do you want the fans to show up this season?

Luke Lindenmeyer: How they always show up — every year, just supportive, loud, bringing the energy, selling out every game no matter who it's against.

Nyziah Hunter: Honestly, just come and support every game. We love your guys' support and we need it every single game. Just come out and bring the energy like they always do and scream loud for us.

Luke Lindenmeyer: It really makes a difference. Being loud is definitely big.

Amelis Long: Okay, well fans, you have your to-dos — it's time to get loud and get down there. Now, thinking beyond the season — final semester, what's next? What are your hopes and dreams for what comes after Nebraska football?

Luke Lindenmeyer: I'm going to elongate this football thing as long as I can and shoot my shot at the NFL. Really, that's the only goal right now, because I feel like if I have a backup plan right now, then I won't go all in.

Amelis Long: Nyziah, how about you?

Nyziah Hunter: Yeah, for me, honestly, my goal is to always to be in the NFL. But like, I've got two more years left. I have no pressure of declaring or staying, but this year I want to have a big season this year so I'm going to try to declare next year.

Amelis Long: Well, I look forward to seeing everything you accomplish this season, and I know the fans do too — we'll be cheering you on.

So, as you think about that future state, moving on your football career to the professional level, what would you tell a high school athlete who has that same dream today?

Luke Lindenmeyer: You just gotta prepare to sacrifice a lot. You have to be able to choose between doing extra field work or hanging out with your friends at night, or staying up late playing video games or getting extra sleep so you can be prepared and ready to go for whatever you have - training or practice the next day. It takes a lot. I'm not going to lie — if I had done more in high school, I wouldn't have had to walk on. I had to do it the hard way because I wasn't as focused in high school, I didn't sacrifice as much. But being prepared to make those sacrifices, and even when you do get to college, it comes with more sacrifices. All football is, is making sacrifices to be the best you can.

Nyziah Hunter: Yeah, for me, I would say just keep going and just don't give up. For me, like, I've always wanted to win and you just gotta have that winning mindset that just, or just doing better for yourself. I remember my goals for me as just going to the NFL as a younger child. So, like I would just say keep going as a younger athlete in high school and just pursue your dreams, because they're going to come true.

Amelis Long: I love the idea of thinking about a dream as a choice and that's what I heard from both of you. You held on to that dream, but every day and every decision was a choice to keep that dream in the forefront. Really powerful message.

So, as we wrap up — if you were to travel back in time and see your little freshman self, you were a redshirt, you were a walk-on, what would you tell them knowing what you know today?

Nyziah Hunter: I would tell myself to stay motivated and just know it's going to work out. Everything happens for a reason, and like I'm very blessed to be in the situation I am right now. All I can do is thank is just God.

Luke Lindenmeyer: Stay faithful, trust in God, and don't worry. Don't worry about the outcomes or the results. Just stick to the process. Every day, make the choice to get one step closer to your goals.

Amelis Long: Anchoring in that belief in the higher power, belief in yourself, and gratitude for the people that got you there — great messages, guys.

Thank you so much for joining us on The Vault. It was a real pleasure chatting with you. Any closing thoughts — one more message for the fans?

Luke Lindenmeyer: Go Big Red!

Nyziah Hunter: Yes, Go Big Red!

Amelis Long: That's right — Go Big Red! We're so excited for another wonderful Nebraska football season.

Thank you so much for joining us on The Vault. We'll see you next time.