5 Greatest Nebraska Football Players Of All Time, Ranked

Regardless of falling on onerous occasions lately, Nebraska soccer stays one of the crucial storied packages in school soccer historical past. The Cornhuskers merely dominated the game within the latter half of the twentieth Century, ending with at the very least 9 wins in each season from 1969 to 2001. With Matt Rhule now on the helm, the Huskers are hoping to return to the glory days beginning in 2023.

With such a profitable program, a number of the biggest school soccer gamers ever have donned the scarlet and cream. Many of those gamers performed through the Huskers’ glory days, though a couple of have come after. A few of these gamers have additionally gone on to turn into NFL legends too, however others have loved extra success on the school stage.

Whereas loads of gamers have a case to make the listing, solely 5 could make it. Nonetheless, there are two gamers who got here very shut and deserve honorable mentions. Defensive finish Grant Wistrom (1994-97) terrorized opposing offenses, and he nonetheless holds the college file with 58.5 tackles for loss and is second with 26.5 sacks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers star linebacker Lavonte David (2010-11) additionally deserves a point out, as he’s fourth at school historical past with 285 tackles regardless of solely taking part in two seasons.

With these honorable mentions out of the way in which, now we are able to get to the listing correct. Listed here are the highest 5 biggest gamers in Nebraska soccer historical past.

5. RB Ahman Inexperienced, 1995-97

Truthful warning, there’s going to be numerous working backs on this listing. Legendary head coach Tom Osborne, who coached the Cornhuskers from 1973 to 1997, used the triple choice offense to nice success, which doesn’t come with out elite rushers. The primary of mentioned elite rushers was none apart from Nebraska native Ahman Inexperienced.

Inexperienced first broke out as a freshman in 1995, when he rushed for 1,086 yards and 13 touchdowns to assist Nebraska win the nationwide championship. Regardless of struggling a turf toe harm in 1996, he nonetheless led the crew with 917 yards and 7 touchdowns. Inexperienced then had a monster 1997 season, speeding for 1,877 yards and 14 touchdowns to guide Nebraska to a different nationwide title.

Inexperienced completed his illustrious profession with 3,880 speeding yards and 42 speeding touchdowns, putting third at school historical past in each classes. He then loved a robust, 12-year NFL profession, incomes 5 Professional-Bowl choices alongside the way in which. Inexperienced completed his NFL profession with 9,205  yards and 60 touchdowns speeding, primarily taking part in with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.

4. RB Mike Rozier, 1981-83

One other working again, Rozier is chargeable for a number of the most insane stats in school soccer historical past. After transferring from junior school, Rozier accrued 943 yards and 5 touchdowns in his first season in Lincoln. He then had a monster 1982 season with 1,689 yards and 15 touchdowns, however even that pales compared to what he did in 1983.

Rozier’s 1983 season is likely one of the craziest school seasons of all time, as he ran for an absurd 2,148 yards and 29 touchdowns. For sure, he received the Heisman Trophy handily. Though, his magical season resulted in disappointment, as Nebraska misplaced 31-30 to Miami within the Orange Bowl, and Rozier left the sport with an ankle harm.

Virtually 40 years later, Rozier remains to be Nebraska’s all-time speeding chief with 4,780 yards. He’s additionally second in speeding touchdowns with 49, and he holds the one season file in each yards and touchdowns. Have in mind, he did all of this earlier than the NCAA even counted bowl recreation stats.

3. DT Ndamukong Suh, 2005-09

Suh is the one participant on this listing not from Nebraska’s heyday, however he was as dominant as they arrive. Suh’s senior season in 2009 is the stuff of legends in school soccer. The longtime NFL star put collectively arguably one of the best season by a defender in school soccer historical past.

Suh completed the 2009 season with 85 tackles, 20.5 for loss, 12 sacks and 28 QB hits. He was additionally strong in protection, defending 10 passes and getting an interception. He was so good, that he was even a Heisman finalist, one thing solely three defenders have executed since. Suh was nice earlier than his senior season, however that alone is sufficient to make him one of many sport’s biggest.

2. WR/RB Johnny Rodgers, 1970-72

Rodgers was the primary in an extended line of nice working backs for Nebraska soccer, though it wasn’t his major place. As a substitute, he primarily performed broad receiver and dealt with kick return duties. Rodgers wasn’t only a jack of all trades, however a grasp of all trades.

The Huskers star completed his profession with 5,586 all-purpose yards, which was an NCAA file on the time. He nonetheless holds the information for profession punt return touchdowns (seven) and kick return touchdowns (9). He’s additionally nonetheless Nebraska’s all-time chief in landing receptions with 25. Add in two nationwide championships in 1970 and 1971 and a Heisman in 1972, and you’ve got a really legendary profession.

1. QB Tommie Frazier, 1992-95

It was an in depth name, however Frazier wins out ultimately as one of the best Nebraska soccer participant ever. At first look, his stats might sound low in comparison with others on this listing, and he doesn’t presently maintain any college information. Nonetheless, he’s essentially the most iconic participant at school historical past and led the Huskers to their finest stretch ever.

Frazier by no means put up large passing numbers, however that’s as a result of he was primarily a runner. He completed his profession with 2,263 speeding yards and 36 touchdowns, regardless of not taking part in full seasons in 1992 and 1994. He capped off his profession with one of the crucial memorable performs in school soccer historical past, shaking off seven tackles for a 75-yard landing within the 1996 Orange Bowl win over Florida.

Nonetheless, what really places Frazier excessive is Nebraska’s success with him on the helm. Frazier posted a 33-3 file as a starter, and led the Huskers to 2 undefeated, nationwide title seasons in 1994 and 1995. When one thinks of Nebraska soccer, they consider Tommie Frazier.