Best Nebraska football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore

Long before Ndamukong Suh was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks in the NFL, but in college, he was essentially the grim reaper for college quarterbacks. Though there is a rich history of defensive players who have suited up for Nebraska football, there has never been a force as singularly dominant as Suh was when he was at his best.

After playing in one game and redshirting in the 2005 season, Suh flashed immediately in his first full season. The big man was used a bit sparingly but he still put up 19 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and an interception. The following year, he put up 34 total tackles, one sack and six tackles for loss.

It was in his redshirt junior season in 2008 when Suh truly arrived as a dominant college football star. The big defensive lineman notched 76 total tackles while coming up with 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. And for good measure, Suh also had two interceptions on the year, both of which he took back to the house.

As if he hadn’t already proven his greatness, Suh saved the best for last as he came up with 85 total tackles, 12.0 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss and an interception. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2009 for his efforts.

Suh ranks fourth all-time in Nebraska in sacks with 24 and is second all-time in tackles for loss with 57. You can’t think about Husker greats in the modern era without Suh coming to mind.