Nebraska's NFL Tradition

Nebraska owns one of the most glorious histories of any school represented by players in the National Football League. Nearly 300 former Huskers have represented Nebraska in the NFL. Over the past 13 years, Nebraska has averaged nearly five players chosen in each NFL Draft for a Big 12-leading total of 62 drafted players.

The 2009 NFL Draft marked the 40th consecutive year the Huskers have had at least three players chosen in the draft. Since 2000, the Huskers have had 37 players chosen on draft day.

Since 1990, Nebraska has had 22 defensive backs, 20 linebackers, 17 defensive linemen, 16 offensive linemen, 11 running backs, eight wide receivers, five quarterbacks and three kicker/punters chosen in the NFL Draft. Twenty-two Husker receivers have signed free agent contracts in that span. Nebraska leads the nation with four former kickers (two place-kickers, two punters) who will be on NFL rosters for the 2009 season.

Since 1962 NU has had 275 players drafted, an average of nearly six selections per year, including an amazing 49 Husker offensive linemen.

Bob Brown became Nebraska’s third inductee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August of 2004, joining Guy Chamberlin and William (Roy) Lyman. Will Shields, an 11-time Pro Bowl lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, was named the NFL Man of the Year in 2003.

A total of 50 former Huskers have made 64 appearances in the Super Bowl. At least one Husker has appeared in 31 of the 44 Super Bowls in history.