Nebraska Football: The Top 50 Players in School History

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been playing football since 1890, and in that long history there have been a number of great players that have passed through Lincoln. Trying to go through that history and pick the 50 greatest players is a daunting task, and trying to rank them 1-50 is even more daunting.

But, it makes for a great slideshow and almost certainly starts an argument or two. So, since Nebraska is on a bye this week, it's good to have something that will keep us all busy. You can only re-watch the second half of the Nebraska-Ohio State game so many times, right?

(Is seven too many? A little over the top?)

I always hesitate to post lists like this, as I never want to seem disrespectful to the players that have been rated lower or higher than some might feel is appropriate. This list is intended much more as a starting point for conversation than as a definitive ranking. I'll be anxious to see which rankings you agree with and which you think are way off base. Comment away!

No. 50: Joe Ganz (2005-2008)

Ganz helped guide Nebraska through the tumultuous transition between Bill Callahan and Bo Pelini. He set Nebraska records for total yards passing and touchdowns in a game, as well as season records for passing yardage and total offense.

No. 49: I.M. Hipp (1977-1979)

Hipp was the first Nebraska I-back to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He earned All-American and all-conference honors, and easily wins any award for coolest name in Nebraska history.

No. 48: Tom Rathman (1983-1985)

Rathman broke the school’s single-season rushing record for fullbacks, earning all-conference and All-American honors. Rathman also won two Super Bowls as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

No. 47: Tony Davis (1973-1975)

“Tough” Tony was Nebraska’s career rushing leader upon completion of his Cornhusker career, seeing playing time at fullback and I-back. He was also named MVP of the 1975 Sugar Bowl. 

No. 46: Marc Munford (1984-1986)

At linebacker, Munford led Nebraska in tackles for three seasons. He earned both All-American and all-conference honors, as well.

No. 45: Zach Wiegert (1991-1994)

Wiegert won the Outland Trophy in 1994. In the three years he started at offensive tackle, Nebraska only surrendered one sack.

No. 44: Frank Solich (1963-1965)

Although best known as Tom Osborne’s successor at head coach, Solich had a distinguished playing career for the Cornhuskers. He holds the school’s single-game rushing record for fullbacks and was an all-conference performer.

No. 43: Danny Noonan (1984-1986)

Noonan was an All-American and all-conference player at nose tackle, leading Nebraska in both sacks and tackles for loss. Noonan was selected as the Big Eight athlete of the year, and was the 12th overall pick in the 1986 NFL draft. 

No. 42: Zac Taylor (2005-2006)

During Bill Callahan’s tenure as Nebraska’s head coach, Taylor emerged as the offensive leader, setting Nebraska records for single-game and single-season passing yards, completions and attempts. Taylor earned all-conference honors, and was named as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

No. 41: Mike Brown (1996-1999)

Brown finished his career second in tackles, and was the first defensive back in Nebraska history to lead the team in tackles for three consecutive years. Brown was an All-American and all-conference player, as well.

No. 40: Steve Taylor (1985-1988)

Taylor was one of Nebraska’s most dynamic weapons at quarterback, finishing his career holding school records for rushing attempts, rushing net yards, rushing touchdowns and passing touchdowns in a game. He earned All-American and all-conference honors, as well as numerous conference and national player of the week awards.

No. 39: Alex Henery (2007-2010)

Henery broke Nebraska’s record for longest field goal, and earned All-American and all-conference awards as both a placekicker and a punter. Henery ended his career with 116 consecutive made extra points, and holds the school record for most field goals in a season and a career.

No. 38: Jerry Tagge (1969-1971)

Tagge quarterbacked Nebraska to their first back-to-back national titles, earning All-American and all-conference honors. Tagge still holds Nebraska’s record for highest completion percentage in a season, and won the “Most Outstanding Back” award in both national championship-winning Orange Bowl games.

No. 37: Kenny Walker (1989-1990)

Walker earned All-American and all-conference honors as a defensive tackle, as well as conference defensive player of the year awards and being an Outland Trophy semifinalist. Walker’s accomplishments are all the more impressive given the fact that he was deaf, and the “silent ovation” he received from Nebraska fans on his senior day still ranks as one of the most awe-inspiring images Memorial Stadium has produced.

No. 36: Vince Ferragamo (1975-1976)

Ferragamo set the standard for passing quarterbacks at Nebraska, setting records for touchdown passes and passing yardage. Ferragamo earned both All-American and all-conference honors in the two years he played at Nebraska after transferring from Cal, including Big Eight Newcomer of the Year in 1976.

No. 35: Bobby Reynolds (1950-1952)

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Reynolds set school records for rushing and touchdowns, as well as an NCAA record for most points per game scored. Reynolds was an All-American, and was listed as of the 100 greatest athletes in Nebraska history by the Omaha World-Herald.

No. 34: Steve Damkroger (1979-1982)

At linebacker, Damkroger finished his career with a school record for assisted tackles. He earned All-American and all-conference honors, and was part of a Nebraska defense that led the nation in pass defense.

No. 33: Dave Humm (1972-1974)

One of Nebraska’s premier passing quarterbacks, Humm held national, conference and school passing records at the end of his career. An All-American and all-confernce honoree, Humm led Nebraska to a 27-7-2 record during his career as a Cornhusker.

No. 32: Carlos Polk (1997-2000)

Polk was an All-American and all-conference player, and a semifinalist for the Bronco Nagurski award and Butkus award. Polk was the team leader in tackles his senior season.

No. 31: Ed Weir (1923-1925)

Weir was Nebraska’s first player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. As a tackle, Weir was part of the legendary Nebraska team that defeated Notre Dame’s “Four Horsemen” squad and was Nebraska’s first two-time All-American. Weir was also a track standout, and Nebraska’s outdoor track and field stadium is named in his honor.

No. 30: Broderick Thomas (1985-1988)

“The Sandman” was an All-American and all-conference honoree, and was named Big Eight defensive player of the year. As an outside linebacker, Thomas was the sixth overall pick in the 1988 NFL draft.

No. 29: George Sauer (1931-1933)

One of the mainstays of early Nebraska success, Sauer excelled both as a fullback and on the defensive line. He led Nebraska to a 23-4-1 record in his career, and was hailed by one writer as the “premier ball carrier in the nation.” In addition to being a “ball carrier,” Sauer also threw for 701 yards and punted for Nebraska

No. 28: Roy Helu Jr. (2007-2010)

Helu was the first Nebraska back to log back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Calvin Jones in 1993 and 1994. Helu holds the single-game rushing record for Nebraska, and earned all-conference honors.

No. 27: Barrett Ruud (2001-2004)

Ruud broke Jerry Murtaugh’s record for career tackles, and was both an All-American and all-conference player. Ruud was a second-round NFL draft pick as well.

No. 26: Aaron Graham (1992-1995)

In Graham’s four-year career at center, he was part of an offensive line that did not surrender a sack and that led the way for a rushing attack that led the nation two years in a row. Graham was an All-American and all-conference player as well.

No. 25: Lawrence Phillips (1993-1996)

While Phillips’ legacy will always be defined by his off-the-field troubles, his on-field performance cannot be denied. He had 11 straight 100-yard rushing games, and was a key component to Nebraska’s 1994 national championship. Phillips was the focal point of Nebraska’s offense while starting quarterback Tommie Frazier struggled with blood clots. He was the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft.

No. 24: Calvin Jones (1991-1993)

Jones holds Nebraska’s record for single-game rushing total as a freshman, and is fourth on the career list with 16 100-yard rushing performances. Jones also held the record for most total yards in a game until eclipsed by Roy Helu in 2010.

No. 23: Junior Miller (1977-1979)

Miller finished his Nebraska career holding every offensive school record for a tight end. Miller was a consensus All-American in his senior season, and was the seventh overall pick in the 1979 NFL draft.

No. 22: Dominic Raiola (1998-2000)

Raiola was Nebraska’s first Rimington Award winner, and was a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. Raiola was an All-American and all-conference honoree, setting school single-season and career records for pancake blocks.

No. 21: Neil Smith (1985-1987)

Smith was a fearsome pass-rusher, earning both All-American and all-conference honors. He was the second overall pick in the 1987 NFL draft.

No. 20: Jerry Murtaugh (1968-1970)

A feared linebacker, Murtaugh held Nebraska’s record for career tackles until displaced by Barrett Ruud. Murtaugh was the Big Eight Player of the Year in 1970, and earned both All-American and all-conference honors.

No. 19: Jason Peter (1994-1997)

Peter was part of a defense that won three national championships, earning All-American and all-conference honors. Peter was also the 14th overall pick in the 1997 NFL draft.

No. 18: Ahman Green (1993-1995)

Green is second overall on Nebraska’s career rushing list, and earned All-American and all-conference honors. He also holds Nebraska records for rushing as a freshman and as a junior, and was selected as Big Eight Freshman of the Year.

No. 17: Trev Alberts (1990-1993)

Alberts was Nebraska’s first Butkus Award winner, and was a consensus All-American and all-conference player. Alberts was named as conference and national defensive player of the year. He was the fifth overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft.

No. 16: Turner Gill (1981-1983)

Gill led Nebraska’s “Scoring Explosion” offense with efficient passing, dynamic running and leadership. He was 28-2 as a starter, including a 20-0 conference record. Gill was an all-conference selection three years in a row, and fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1983, when teammate Mike Rozier won the trophy.

No. 15: Tom Novak (1946-1949)

“Train Wreck” Novak was a two-way player, excelling at center and linebacker. He still holds the school record for interceptions as a linebacker. He was the first Cornhusker to have his number (60) permanently retired, and was Nebraska’s only four-time all-conference player.

No. 14: Grant Wistrom (1994-1997)

Wistrom won the 1997 Lombardi Award, helping Nebraska to compile a 49-2 record and win three national championships during his career. He was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and was a finalist for the Brono Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Year award.

No. 13: Aaron Taylor (1994-1997)

Taylor won the 1997 Outland Trophy, and was part of an offensive line that went 49-2 and won three national championships. Taylor is the only Nebraska player to receive All-American honors at two different positions.

No. 12: Irving Fryar (1981-1983)

Arguably Nebraska’s greatest wide receiver, Fryar was part of Nebraska’s “Scoring Explosion,” earning All-American and all-conference honors. Fryar was also the first overall pick of the 1983 NFL draft.

No. 11: Rich Glover (1970-1972)

Glover won the 1972 Lombardi and Outland Awards as a premier defensive player. As a defensive lineman, Glover recorded 22 tackles in the “Game of the Century” against Oklahoma and tallied 100 total tackles in his senior season. He was named to Sports Illustrated’s 85-man All-Century team.

No. 10: Guy Chamberlain (1913-1915)

One of only two Cornhuskers voted into both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chamberlain led Nebraska on a 29-game unbeaten streak. He was also the first Nebraska player to play in the NFL.

No. 9: Dean Steinkuhler (1981-1983)

Steinkuhler won both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy in 1983, anchoring Nebraska’s offensive line. He was a consensus All-American and was named to Sports Illustrated’s 85-man All-Century team.

No. 8: Will Shields (1989-1992)

Shields won the Outland Trophy and is recognized as one of Nebraska’s finest offensive linemen. An All-American and all-conference player, Shields was part of an offensive line that saw Nebraska lead the nation in rushing three out of his four years playing.

No. 7: Ndamukong Suh (2004-2007)

Suh was one of the most dominant defensive linemen in Nebraska history, winning the Outland Trophy, Chuck Bednarik award, Bronco Nagurski award and the Lombardi award. He was named the AP Player of the Year, the first defensive player to win that award since 1998. He was also a Heisman Trophy finalist, the first defensive player to earn such an honor since 1994.

No. 6: Bob Brown (1961-1963)

“Boomer” Brown played both guard and linebacker, helping to earn Nebraska a 10-1 record and its first conference title since 1940. He is one of only two Cornhuskers to be voted into the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame, and is one of only two Cornhuskers to have his number (64) permanently retired by the school.

No. 5: Dave Rimington (1981-1983)

At center, Rimington is the only player to win the Outland Trophy in back-to-back years. Rimington was a three-time all-conference player and was named the Big Eight Offensive player of the Year in 1981. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

No. 4: Mike Rozier (1981-1983)

Rozier was Nebraska’s second Heisman Trophy winner, and still holds Nebraska’s record for most yardage rushing in a career. He was named to the College Football Hall of Fame, and to Sports Illustrated’s 85-man All-Century team.

No. 3: Eric Crouch (1998-2001)

Crouch won the 2001 Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Player of the Year award, and Davey O’Brien quarterback award. He holds the school record for longest touchdown run, and holds the NCAA career record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.

No. 2: Johnny Rodgers (1970-1972)

“The Jet” was Nebraska’s first Heisman Trophy winner, and author of the iconic play in Cornhusker history with his punt return against Oklahoma in the “Game of the Century.” He still holds NCAA records for most touchdown kick returns and punt returns, and was named to Sports Illustrated’s 85-man All-Century team.

No. 1: Tommie Frazier (1992-1995)

If you want one player to symbolize Nebraska football, look no further than Frazier. He led Nebraska to two national championships, and his iconic tackle-breaking run against Florida symbolized the speed and power of the dominant 1995 Cornhuskers. Frazier was the MVP of both Nebraska national championships, and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting. Frazier was also named to Sports Illustrated’s 85-man All-Century team.