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Nebraska football isn’t just tradition it’s a full-blown religion in the Cornhusker State. The passion, the sellout streak at Memorial Stadium, the legendary coaches, and especially the players… they built one of college football’s proudest dynasties.
This list dives into the best Nebraska football players, the dominant forces who defined success for the Huskers. We’re talking national icons, Heisman winners, fearsome linemen, and unstoppable offensive weapons who terrorized the Big Eight and beyond. Below, Wintips proudly presents the top 10 best Nebraska football players of all time for every fan who lives and breathes the Big Red.
Best Nebraska football players – Top 10 Cornhusker Legends
Top 10: Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh wasn’t just a dominant defender - he was a one-man demolition crew. His 2009 season is still considered one of the greatest ever by a defensive lineman, finishing as a Heisman finalist - a territory almost forbidden to his position. Offensive coordinators had nightmares planning for him because you could double-team or triple-team him and still watch the pocket collapse like a soda can in his hands. Suh didn’t just beat blocks - he annihilated them.
At Nebraska, Suh racked up sacks, swatted passes, and blew up run plays with violent precision. His performance in the 2009 Big 12 Championship versus Texas is basically folklore - the day he made Colt McCoy question every choice in life. Even after college, his nastiness translated seamlessly to Sundays. Nebraska didn’t just produce a star - they unleashed a monster who defined physical dominance across an entire era of football.
Top 9: Dave Rimington
If there’s a trophy named after you, congratulations - you’re elite. Dave Rimington didn’t just win the Outland Trophy twice - he owned the award room in the early ’80s while commanding the line of scrimmage with terrifying consistency. He was a technician and a bully at the same time, paving lanes so wide running backs could jog through waving at safeties.
Rimington was the heartbeat of Nebraska’s identity - smashmouth, punishing, and unrelenting. Centers rarely get headlines, but he forced the football world to pay attention. Today, the Rimington Trophy honors the best center in the nation every year - a permanent reminder that he set the standard for offensive line dominance.
Top 8: Grant Wistrom
Grant Wistrom was the engine of Nebraska’s unstoppable defenses during the dynasty run of the 1990s. Speed, power, and an attitude that screamed “your QB is mine” on every snap - he was a pure terror off the edge. If a play looked like it might succeed, Wistrom showed up instantly to crush that optimism.
A three-time national champion and a decorated All-American, Wistrom represented everything opponents feared about the Huskers - relentless energy and physical punishment. He didn’t just contribute to championships, he helped set the culture for why Nebraska bullied the nation for nearly a decade straight. Try blocking him for four quarters - you’d be exhausted by halftime.
Top 7: Will Shields
Will Shields wasn’t flashy. He didn’t need to be. His highlights were pancakes - and defenders usually didn’t enjoy that meal. Shields won the Outland Trophy in 1992, anchoring a Nebraska offensive line that turned the ground game into a weekly torture session for defensive fronts.
Then came the NFL - a career that basically laughed at the concept of decline. Shields became a 12-time Pro Bowler and first-ballot Hall of Famer. He might not have been the loudest personality, but Nebraska fans know greatness when they see it: Shields was the anchor every powerhouse offense dreams of.
Top 6: Mike Rozier
Mike Rozier didn’t just run - he embarrassed defenders. His ability to cut, break tackles, and accelerate instantly made him look like he was operating on cheat codes. In 1983, he won the Heisman Trophy while averaging over 7 yards per carry - unreal efficiency that made defensive coordinators age prematurely.
Rozier was the spark plug of one of the most explosive rushing attacks in college football history. With balance, burst, and a little swagger sprinkled on top, he piled up touchdowns and big plays like it was routine. When Nebraska’s offense needed a lightning strike, Rozier delivered it.
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Top 5: Irving Fryar
Before Nebraska went full power-run identity, Irving Fryar added the kind of explosion through the air that forced defenses to respect more than just the option. Freak athleticism, great hands, game-breaking return skills - Fryar was a walking sparkplug for the Huskers’ offense.
His legendary status continued into the pros, where he became a No.1 overall pick - extremely rare for a WR from a run-heavy system. Fryar’s legacy proved that Nebraska wasn’t just about big guys in the trenches - they could develop spectacular playmakers too.
Top 4: Rich Glover
Rich Glover controlled the interior like he owned a lease on the line of scrimmage. In 1972, he claimed both the Outland and Lombardi Awards - a double-flex most defensive linemen can only dream of. He was the centerpiece of Nebraska’s dominant, title-winning defense.
Quick hands, elite instincts, and a motor that refused to quit - Glover made running between the tackles feel like a terrible idea. His ability to wreck plays before they started helped Nebraska lay the foundation of its early championship tradition. Call him the original Husker disruptor.
Top 3: Johnny Rodgers
Johnny Rodgers wasn’t human - or defenders wished he wasn’t. The “Jet” operated at a speed and creativity that made him a highlight waiting to happen. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1972, thriving as one of the most electrifying return men and scorers the game has ever seen.
Every touch brought danger. Every kickoff or punt return made crowds stand instantly. Rodgers helped Nebraska rise to national-championship power by doing the impossible - often multiple times a game. He didn’t just change momentum - he created chaos.
Top 2: Tommie Frazier
Championships? Two. Dominance? Ask Florida. They’re still traumatized by his magician-level option performance in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl - arguably the most demoralizing quarterback run in history. Frazier played with ice in his veins and a linebacker’s mentality in the open field.
He was the commander of an unstoppable dynasty - clutch, fearless, and tougher than the defenders trying to break him. Many believe Frazier is the greatest college quarterback ever to not win the Heisman. And honestly, they’re right - Nebraska fans will fight anyone over that take.
Top 1: Eric Crouch
Eric Crouch played the game like he had something personal against every defender. Blazing speed, slippery moves, fearless contact - he was built for Nebraska’s modernized option attack. In 2001, he earned the Heisman, leaving defenses gasping while trying to track him in space.
Crouch didn’t need flashy passing numbers - he controlled games by grinding opponents into submission. His toughness and competitiveness defined the Huskers during his era. Memorial Stadium still erupts when fans replay those jaw-dropping runs - Crouch represented everything Nebraska football prides itself on.
Final thoughts
Nebraska may not currently sit at the top of college football, but its historical legacy is bulletproof. These best Nebraska football players shaped the sport - not just the program. They built a powerhouse through toughness, talent, and relentless identity.
And don’t worry - the next Cornhusker legend might already be in the locker room, waiting for their shot at glory.
Refer to: Top 10 Notre Dame best football players of all time
