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#31 C.J. Zimmerer
Position: Fullback
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 230
Year: Junior
City/State: Omaha, Neb.
High School: Gross
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Zimmerer Photos

Honors & Awards

  • Two-Time Academic All-Big Ten (2011, 2012)
  • Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2011, 2012; Spring 2012)
  • Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010)
  • Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010, 2011)
  • Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award (2013)
  • Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011, 2012) 

Senior C.J. Zimmerer is one of three fullbacks who played a key role for the Huskers last season, with all three players returning for the 2013 campaign. The play of the 6-0, 230-pound Zimmerer, along with fellow fullbacks Andy Janovich and Mike Marrow, helped Nebraska lead the Big Ten in both rushing offense and total offense.

The Omaha native has shown the ability to be a powerful lead blocker for the Huskers, while also being an effective runner and receiver out of the backfield. Zimmerer is also one of the Huskers’ top student-athletes. He has earned academic All-Big Ten honors each of the past two years and will be a candidate for Academic All-America honors this season. Zimmerer picked up his degree in criminal justice in December, finishing in just 3 ½ years. He will play the entire 2013 season as a graduate student.

2012 (Junior)
Zimmerer saw action in every game, and started against Minnesota. He saw time at both at fullback and on the Huskers’ PAT and field goal units. Zimmerer had four rushes for 18 yards, including three carries for 14 yards against Idaho State. Zimmerer also had a six-yard reception against Michigan. His blocking helped Nebraska average better than 250 rushing yards per game.

2011 (Sophomore)
Zimmerer saw limited action in the backfield, but was a regular on NU's kickoff return team and as a blocker on the PAT and field goal unit. He played in 11 games overall.

2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Zimmerer backed up Legate at fullback, and appeared in Nebraska victories over Western Kentucky, Kansas State and Colorado.

2009 (Redshirt)
Zimmerer redshirted and worked on the scout team.

Before Nebraska (Omaha Gross HS)
Zimmerer was a two-way standout for Coach Tim Johnk at Omaha Gross High School each of his last three seasons. Zimmerer posted impressive numbers on both sides of the ball in 2008. As a running back, he posted 1,325 yards and 17 touchdowns, while averaging better than 10 yards per carry. Defensively, Zimmerer was a force at linebacker, where he made 90 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and added a pair of interceptions.

His performance as a senior helped Gross to a 9-2 record and a trip to the second round of the Class B state playoffs. Zimmerer was named to the Lincoln Journal Star Super-State first team as a fullback, while the Omaha World-Herald made him a first-team All-Nebraska pick at linebacker. He was also the honorary captain of the World-Herald's Class B all-state defense. During his junior season, he ran for 701 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 88 carries, while making 123 tackles, including five sacks on defense. His play as a junior earned him first-team Class B all-state honors from both the state's largest papers. He also started on the Cougar defense during his sophomore season.

Zimmerer also played basketball at Gross prior to his senior season and competed for the Cougars' track team. He was one of the first players to join the 2009 recruiting class, committing to the Huskers in May 2008.

Personal
The son of Tim and Jackie Zimmerer, C.J. was born on May 23, 1991. Zimmerer majored in criminology and criminal justice and earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in December of 2012. He is a three-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor selection and was a four-time pick to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Zimmerer is also very active in community outreach work, and has been named to the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team in both 2011 and 2012. He has volunteered his time with team hospital and school visits, Madonna Rehabilitation Center, Cub Scouts, School is Cool Week, Husker Hotline, Husker Connect and the YWCA.

Zimmerer's Career Statistics
» Games Played
- 28 (3 in 2010; 11 in 2011; 14 in 2012)
» Games Started–1 in 2012
» Rushing–4 rushes, 18 yards, long 6 (Idaho State), all in 2012
» Receiving–1 catch, 6 yards vs. Michigan, 2012

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