Honors & Awards

• Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2008)

2009 Game by Game (updated 12-14-09)
Florida Atlantic: Started at Mike linebacker in first career game played... seventh on team with five tackles... added one PBU. Arkansas State: Recorded three tackles including two assists. Virginia Tech: Nearly matched first two game total (8) by posting seven tackles vs. Hokies... assisted on six stops while helping hold Hokies to 86 yards rushing... added first career QB hurry. Louisiana-Lafayette: Continued strong play with five tackles, including three solo stops... added a QB hurry as the Huskers pressured ULL all night. Missouri: Played well in return to homestate... recorded six tackles to tie for third on team, including two solos. Texas Tech: Recorded just one tackle but it was one of NU's 13 team TFL as he had a half sack for two yards... was part of 5.0 Husker sacks on the day. Iowa State: Had four tackles on the day, including three assists. Baylor: Played but did not have a tackle. Oklahoma: Did not record a tackle. Kansas: Played but did not record a tackle. Kansas State: Had two tackles on the night... also added second career pass breakup. Colorado: Tied for third on team with five tackles, including four solo stops. Texas: Played but did not make a tackle.

2009 Outlook
Redshirt freshman Will Compton is a key part of a talented group of young linebackers in the Nebraska program who are expected to make an impact in 2009. The 6-2, 225-pound Compton will enter fall camp as a leading contender for the starting Mike linebacker job along with seniors Colton Koehler and Phillip Dillard, who each had starting experience last fall.

Compton contended for playing time early last season, but Nebraska coaches made the decision to redshirt the talented youngster, even after injuries depleted the position. A St. Louis area product, Compton was one of the most highly regarded recruits in Coach Bo Pelini's first recruiting class.

2008 (Redshirt)
Compton redshirted in his first season in the program and worked with the scout team defense.

Before Nebraska (North County HS)
Compton starred on both sides of the ball for North County High School. During his senior season, Compton recorded 107 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions, while causing a fumble and recovering another from his linebacker position.

On offense, Compton was also a key performer for Coach David Leeds, accounting for approximately 500 rushing yards, 1,000 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. His play as a senior earned Compton first-team all-state honors from the Missouri Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association.

Compton also stood out as a junior, making 71 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and an interception on defense, while rushing for 455 yards, and catching 51 passes for 855 yards. He earned first-team all-state honors as a receiver, while picking up all-district and all-conference honors as a linebacker.

A SuperPrep All-American, Compton was ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Missouri by Rivals.com and one of the top 40 "athletes" in the country by the recruiting service. ESPN.com and Scout.com both listed Compton among the top 20 inside linebacker prospects in the nation. Compton was a defensive captain in the Offense-Defense Bowl all-star game at the 2008 Orange Bowl. Compton chose Nebraska over Missouri and Illinois.

Personal
Compton is the son of Bill and Kathy Compton and was born on Sept. 19, 1989. He has not declared a major, but was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll last fall. Compton has volunteered his time at the F Street Recreation Center. Will's younger brother, Cody, will join the Nebraska wrestling team this fall.

Career Statistics