Nebraska's NFL TraditionNebraska 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 47 former Huskers have made 61 appearances in the Super Bowl. At least one Husker has appeared in 30 of the 43 Super Bowls in history.
Huskers in the NFLA total of 30 former Nebraska players are on National Football League rosters as of Sept. 17, 2009. Of the 30 players, 23 players are active, while three are on injured reserve and four are on practice squads.
Active Players Team Pos.
Adams, Titus New England Patriots DT
Bingham, Ryon San Diego Chargers DT
Bowman, Zackary Chicago Bears CB
Bradley, Stewart (IR) Philadelphia Eagles LB
Brown, Josh St. Louis Rams PK
Brown, Kris Houston Texans PK
Brown, Mike Kansas City Chiefs FS
Brown, Ralph Arizona Cardinals CB
Buckhalter, Correll Denver Broncos RB
Bullocks, Daniel (IR) Detroit Lions S
Bullocks, Josh Chicago Bears S
Carriker, Adam (IR) St. Louis Rams DE
Hochstein, Russ Denver Broncos OL
Incognito, Richie St. Louis Rams OL
Jackson, Brandon Green Bay Packers RB
Kelsay, Chris Buffalo Bills DE
Koch, Sam Baltimore Ravens P
Murtha, Lydon Detroit Lions OL
Nicks, Carl New Orleans Saints OL
Nunn, Terrence New England Patriots WR
Octavien, Steve Dallas Cowboys LB
Purify, Maurice Cincinnati Bengals WR
Raiola, Dominic Detroit Lions C
Ruud, Barrett Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB
Shanle, Scott New Orleans Saints LB
Slauson, Matt New York Jets OL
Smith, Le Kevin Denver Broncos DT
Vanden Bosch, Kyle Tennessee Titans DE
Washington, Fabian Baltimore Ravens CB
Williams, Demorrio Kansas City Chiefs LB
Coaches Team Pos.
Huey, Gene Indianapolis Colts Running Backs
Rathman, Tom San Francisco 49ers Running Backs
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