• Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week  vs. Kansas (2002)

2003 Outlook
Lannie Hopkins (pronounced LAY-nee) has shown the ability to be a playmaker for the Husker defense, but has been hampered by injuries throughout his Nebraska career. Hopkins and Husker coaches both hope that trend changes in 2003. Hopkins has played the last two seasons as a reserve safety, often utilized as a pass rusher in Nebraska?s third-down defensive package. His skills prompted the new defensive staff to move Hopkins to linebacker this spring, a position he played in high school. He got off to a strong start this spring, but missed the final half of camp after surgery to repair a chronic groin injury. He is expected to be at full strength by the start of fall practice. Hopkins was granted a medical hardship waiver for 2001 from the Big 12 and could apply for an additional year of competition after his senior season.

Hopkins is listed second behind senior Demorrio Williams at Will linebacker and could also see time at Buck linebacker, where he is listed co-No. 2 with junior Ira Cooper. A gifted athlete, Hopkins has personal bests of 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 35 inches in the vertical jump.

2002 (Sophomore)
Hopkins played a key role, despite being listed as the No. 4 rover for much of the season. He played in 13 games and was utilized as a pass rushing specialist on throwing downs, earning a Blackshirt for his efforts. Hopkins also played on the majority of NU?s special teams and blocked three punts in 2002, including two against Kansas (one vs. Arizona State). His second blocked punt against the Jayhawks was returned 30 yards for a touchdown by fellow rover Aaron Terpening. Hopkins earned Big 12 Special Teams Player-of-the-Week accolades for his performance.

Hopkins made his only start of the season in the Independence Bowl, and responded with a career-high nine tackles. He finished the year with 24 total tackles, added 2.5 sacks for 19 yards and five tackles for loss. Hopkins forced a fumble against Colorado and had six quarterback hurries.

2001 (Redshirt Freshman)
Hopkins played in three games at rover before a sore shoulder and athletic pubalgia sidelined him for the season. He had three tackles, including a pair of solo tackles against Troy State. He had two TFL for 23 yards and a 12-yard sack vs. the Trojans and caused a fumble in the game. He had surgery on Oct. 6, 2001, and missed the rest of the season.

2000 (Redshirt)
A scholarship athlete, Hopkins redshirted in 2000.

Before Nebraska (Rowlett HS)
Hopkins played linebacker for Coach Tommy Watkins at Rowlett High School. Hopkins earned all-district honors in each of his last three seasons, garnering district MVP and second-team all-state honors after making 152 tackles in 1999. A three-year starter, Hopkins totaled 340 career tackles, 22 blocked kicks (12 punts and 10 field goals) and a pair of interceptions. A valuable two-way performer who earned honorable-mention all-district honors as a tight end in 1999, Hopkins was a SuperPrep All-American. He moved to linebacker after playing cornerback and safety during his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively. Hopkins, who did not play organized football until high school, selected NU over Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Memphis.

Personal
The son of Lannie and Dorothy Hopkins, Lannie was born July 25, 1980, in Dallas. He is from the same hometown as former Husker kicker Byron Bennett (1990-93), but attended Rowlett High School (new in 1996), while Bennett graduated from Lakeview Centennial. Hopkins is majoring in family and consumer science.

Hopkins? Career Statistics

2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss*: Tackles, 1 UT, 8 AT, 9 TT, TFL, 1-1; 1 PBU

Single-Game Bests:
Tackles?9 vs. Ole Miss, 2002 Independence Bowl
Solo Tackles?2 vs. Missouri, 2002, vs. Troy State, 2001
Tackles For Loss?2-23 vs. Troy State, 2001
Sacks?1, three times
Quarterback Hurries?2 vs. Utah State, 2002
Blocked Kicks?2 (punts) vs. Kansas, 2002