On Thursday, the Nebraska Football program announced that their 2024 Hall of Fame class will feature seven former Cornhuskers and one state college honoree.
Being honored on September 13 when the Huskers take on Northern Iowa at Memorial Stadium will be offensive lineman Keven Lightner (1985-87), safety Tyrone Byrd (1989-92), linebacker Terrell Farley (1995-96), defensive end Chris Kelsay (1999-2002), defensive tackle Jared Crick (2008-11), and running back Rex Burkhead (2009-12). Also being honored from the Legends Category will be Monte Johnson, a standout from 1970-72 before spending eight years in the NFL.
Being honored from the state colleges is former All-American running back Mike Miller, who was a standout at Nebraska-Kearney from 2000 through 2003
In addition to the seven honorees, the program announced that Angie and Dan Muhleisen will receive the Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award, and Joe Selig will receive the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award. All three honorees call Lincoln home.
The Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award is given to a recipient “for outstanding contributions to the University of Nebraska and the Husker athletic department through personal service, personal support of athletic department programs, and dedication to the Husker football program and intercollegiate athletics,” according to the Huskers official website.
Additionally, the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award is to honor those who “with a background of interest in and support of intercollegiate football, who has made a sizeable contribution to society through public service and/or self-sacrifice.”
Below, Cornhuskers Wire offers a little bit on each of the Hall of Fame’s new inductees.
Keven Lightner (1985-87)
Lightner was a first-team All-Big Eight selection in 1987 and was a key cog of the Husker’s dominant rushing attack during his time in Lincoln.
Tyrone Byrd (1989-92)
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Byrd was a four-year starter for the Cornhuskers from 1989 through 1992 and earned first-team All-Big Eight selections in his final season with the program. A part of two Big Eight championship-winning teams, Byrd had 11 interceptions throughout his career and is considered one of the best safeties in program history.
Terrell Farley (1995-96)
28 Oct 1995: Nebraska Cornhuskers player Terrell Farley #43 runs with the ball as teammate Mike Minier #10 looks during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. Nebraska won the game, 44-21. © Jed Jacobsohn
The 1995 Big Eight Defensive Newcomer of the Year, Farley was a dominant linebacker with the Cornhuskers and was a big part of the Huskers’ 1995 national championship-winning team. In two seasons, he recorded over 100 career tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Chris Kelsay (1999-2002)
Sept. 28, 2002: Iowa State’s Seneca Wallace runs from Nebraska defender Chris Kelsay during the second quarter in Ames.
Seneca Wallace And Chris Kelsay 2002 Sept. 28, 2002: Iowa State’s Seneca Wallace runs from Nebraska defender Chris Kelsay during the second quarter in Ames. Seneca Wallace And Chris Kelsay 2002 © Chris Donahue/The Register, Des Moines Register via Imagn Content Services, LLC
A two-time All-Big 12 defensive end, Kelsay was one of the biggest reasons for the Huskers’ success defensively during his time in Lincoln. In 2001, he put together a tremendous season with 17 tackles for loss and five sacks before following it up with 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2002. He would play 10 years in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. Notably, his older brother, Chad Kelsay, is also in the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.
Jared Crick (2008-11)
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Twice named a first-team All-Big 12 selection and a two-time second-team All-American, Crick is one of the best Huskers defenders in recent memory. In a huge sophomore season in 2008, Crick recorded 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. That season included a legendary five-sack, seven-tackle-for-loss performance over Baylor. In his career, he recorded 167 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 20.0 sacks. He would play five seasons in the NFL with both the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.
Rex Burkhead (2009-12)
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Despite likely not receiving a few deserved accolades, Burkhead was one of the top running backs in the country during his time with Nebraska. Totaling over 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns from scrimmage in his career with the Huskers. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2011 with 305 touches for 1,534 yards and 17 touchdowns. After his time in Lincoln, Burkhead would play 10 seasons in the NFL and is best known for his time with the New England Patriots including being a part of the franchise’s Super Bowl LIII winning team.
Monte Johnson (1970-72)
Nov 20, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet on the field before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Huskers will be honoring defensive lineman Monte Johnson as part of their Legends Category. A part of the Husker’s back-to-back national championship-winning teams in 1970 and 1971. After a strong career in Lincoln, he would enjoy an eight-year NFL career, winning a pair of Super Bowls with the then-Oakland Raiders.
Mike Miller (Nebraska Kearney), 2000-03
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Being honored by the Nebraska State Colleges is former Nebraska-Kearney standout running back Mike Miller. A former Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, Miller ran for over 4,800 rushing yards and 5,500 all-purpose yards in his career while being named a three-time, first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection.