By Keith Zimmer
Associate A.D. for Life Skills
Nebraska senior Tyler Wortman earned a place in Husker lore with a memorable opening play to the 2008 Red-White Spring Game.
In Bo Pelini's first appearance on the Memorial Stadium sideline as Nebraska's head football coach, and with more than 80,000 fans in the "Sea of Red" standing in anticipation of the first play, Wortman blew through a gap on an intended option pitch, forcing and recovering a fumble for the Husker Blackshirts.
In his typically low-key way, Wortman downplayed his Spring Game effort, almost to the point of apologizing for the defensive play that set up the Red team's opening touchdown.
"It was supposed to be an old-school option play to get the fans pumped up and everything. I kind of messed it up, I guess," Wortman said. "I was just supposed to play the quarterback, and I got up there and I guess he just didn't pitch it soon enough, so I swatted at the ball and got a piece of it. I don't know how happy the coaches are with me about it."
If Coach Pelini was disappointed with Wortman's hand in the play, Pelini certainly did not show it after the game.
"He has had a very good spring," Pelini said. "He came out of it the No. 1 Buck linebacker. He's a backup Mike, and I think he's going to be a good football player for us. We're really excited about him."
Four months later, Wortman and the rest of the Huskers took to the practice field for fall camp.
“Coach Pelini and his staff are holding everyone accountable for their actions on and off the field," Wortman said, "which will result in a passionate and disciplined team this fall.”
Wortman competes with passion and discipline in every aspect of his life, and he is producing the kind of success in all areas that comes with a commitment to working hard and consistently making good decisions.
“I was interested in all sports growing up as a kid and just a very competitive guy from the get-go,” Wortman said. “Time management is a very important skill, and you must make school and studying a very high priority. Be committed and consistent with your study skills and routine, and the results will be positive.”
His philosophies on and off the field have been creating impressive achievements for the 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker.
A recipient of both a Regents and Kiewit Scholarship, Wortman has paid his dues in the classroom while at Nebraska. He owns an impressive 3.956 majoring in mechanical engineering. The first-team academic All-Big 12 selection is scheduled to graduate in May 2009, and said he has always been interested in brainstorming new ideas and designing innovative projects.
He also said that he is considering the possibility of pursuing a master's degree in aerospace engineering and biomedical engineering after graduation.
“My parents have always stressed the importance of education," Wortman said. "I remember them telling me that by earning good grades you will have unlimited options in the future. I love to compete in the classroom and want to be the very best.”
The encouragement of his parents and his own competitive drive helped Wortman graduate from Grand Island Central Catholic High School at the top of his class with a 4.0 grade-point average.
In addition to his success in the classroom, which helped him secure multiple academic scholarships to attend Nebraska, Wortman excelled on the football field. He earned all-state, all-conference and all-district recognition as both a defensive end and tight end for Central Catholic. Wortman set school records for season and career sacks, while also establishing the career mark in tackles for loss.
He also starred on the track, helping GICC to the Class C state team title, while earning a gold medal as a member of the 4x800 relay team. He also placed third as a member of the 4x400 relay team.
If he wasn't winning on the field or the track, he was producing victories on the wrestling mat. Wortman was a two-time state medalist in wrestling, while also winning conference and district titles. He actually traces one of his earliest athletic memories to the sport. As a third-grader, Wortman captured the Nebraska State Huskerland Wrestling Championship, held in Lincoln.
“It was neat to wrestle at the Devaney Center and to be recognized as the best in my grade level.”
While wrestling helped create some of his earliest memories of competition, the dream of playing football for the Huskers also began to take hold as a youngster.
Nebraska won three national football championships (1994, 1995, 1997) when Wortman was between the ages of 8 and 11. His memories of Nebraska's Blackshirts shutting down opposing offenses while playing with incredible focus and determination remain with him to this day.
“I remember the tenacity and energy guys like Jason Peter and Grant Wistrom displayed on every play," Wortman said. "I have tried to pattern my style and intensity after those guys.”
Wortman has taken that kind of focus, energy and competitiveness not only to the field and the classroom, but also to the community. He has displayed an extraordinary commitment to giving back to the youth of Nebraska through various forms of outreach including hospital visits and school outreach.
For his efforts, Wortman earned a spot on the 2008 Brook Berringer Citizenship team for dedicated service.
“I idolized Brook while growing up," Wortman said, "and enjoy giving back in any way that I can.”
As his Nebraska student-athlete experience approaches his senior season, Wortman is hoping to achieve at a higher level while creating more memorable moments in 2008.
Wortman, who earned his first letter after appearing in nine games for the Huskers as a junior, will hope to add his name to Nebraska's Hall of Distinction upon his graduation in May. It is a significant achievement that he understands to the fullest.
“In the past 120 years there have been just over 5,000 student-athletes at Nebraska who have lettered and earned their degree.," Wortman said. "To know that I will be joining such an exclusive group makes me very proud and gives me the confidence to excel in all of my future ambitions.”
Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations
