ESPN released a list of the best 100 college football players of all time on Thursday morning, not by overall ranking but by jersey number, deciding who wore each number best.
The players were selected based on a slew of factors, inviting debate as to who truly rules each number. Nebraska appeared on the list multiple times, with four players earning a number, and numerous others earning a mention on the other three lists.
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Leading the Huskers’ front four are Mike Rozier (No. 30) and Ndamukong Suh (No. 93).
Making the three others list were quarterback Tommie Frazier (No. 15), running back Johnny Rodgers (No. 20), fullback Sam Francis (No. 38), center Dave Rimington (No. 50), Tom Novak (No. 60), offensive line Aaron Taylor (No. 67), guard Dean Steinkuhler (No. 71), guard Will Shields (No. 75) and defensive end Grant Wistrom (No. 98).
Mike Rozier (No. 30)
Sep 1983; Lincoln, NE, USA; FILE PHOTO; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Mike Rozier (30) in action during the 1983 season at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images
The first Husker on the list, Rozier earned the title of the top player to don No. 30 for his stellar college career. In his final season, Rozier delivered a top-tier single-season rushing performance in 1983. He totaled a school-record 2,148 yards on the ground and an NCAA-record 29 rushing touchdowns.
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Rozier’s season earned him the Heisman Trophy, the second Husker at the time to do so, which added to his collection of awards, including the Walter Camp Award and a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. Rozier also set multiple school records, including rushing attempts in a season (273) and career (668), points in a season (174) and all-purpose yards in a season (2,486). He still holds the school record for career rushing yards with 4,780.
Bob Brown (No. 64)
A two-way player, Brown solidified himself in Nebraska history with his number No. 64 joining Tom Novak’s No. 60 as the only two numbers permanently retired in Lincoln. He played offensive line and linebacker for Bob Devaney’s Huskers, standing at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, and became Devaney’s first All-American at Nebraska.
Brown helped the Huskers to their first-ever Big 8 championship, recorded 49 tackles and an interception and became the African-American to earn All-America honors at Nebraska. He also earned a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
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Rich Glover (No. 79)
Recording 100 tackles in 1972, Glover earned No. 79 for being one of the standout forces of Nebraska’s early-1970s teams. A middle guard for the Huskers, his hustle helped him tally 52 solo tackles to accompany his 100 tackles in 1972. Glover also finished third in the Heisman voting.
He earned numerous other awards, including the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi. He was a unanimous All-American, first-team All-American, Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year, two-time first-team All-Big 8, a two-time national champion, and a College Football Hall of Fame spot.
Ndamukong Suh (No. 93)
Dec 5, 2009; Arlington, TX, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) in action against the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter of the 2009 Big 12 championship game at Cowboys Stadium. Texas defeated Nebraska 13-12. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Rounding out the list for Nebraska, Suh’s accolades overwhelmingly secured him No. 93. The 2009 AP Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist, he dominated on the defensive line, recording 12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hurries and three blocked kicks, and leading Nebraska in tackles for the second straight year.
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In the Big 12 championship game performance against Texas, Suh totaled 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and 12 tackles, one of the best for a college defender. He finished his Nebraska career fourth in sacks (24) and second in tackles for loss (57).
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska lands four Huskers in ESPN’s 100 Numbers list
