Nebraska has had 61 former players make 78 appearances in the Super Bowl, dating back to Super Bowl II following the 1967 season. Of the 52 Super Bowls to date, former Huskers have appeared in 40.
More recently, a former Husker has been on a Super Bowl roster every year dating back to 1993. It’s the longest streak of any collegiate program at this time. Will that streak extend in 2019?
Nebraska has 11 players on the rosters of NFL playoff teams. That includes both the active roster, as well as the practice squad and injured reserved. Let’s take a look at those players who have a chance at extending Nebraska’s Super Bowl streak.
Prince Amukamara
Cornerback | Chicago Bears
Amukamara joined Chicago on March 10, 2017. He had previously been with the New York Giants from the 2011 season through the 2015 season, and spent the 2016 season with Jacksonville.
In his second season with the Bears, Amukamara has started 15 games and has three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 71 tackles.
Wild Card: Bears vs. Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 3:40 p.m. CT on NBC
Outcome: Eagles 16, Bears 15
Rex Burkhead
Running Back | New England Patriots
Burkhead spent four seasons with the Cincinatti Bengals before signing with the New England Patriots on March 14, 2017.
Burkhead injured his neck during Week 3 of this season against the Detroit Lions. He was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 26 and was placed back on the active roster on Nov. 26. In the final five games of the year, Burkhead had 100 rushing yards, 100 reception yards and one touchdown.
Divisional Round: Patriots vs. Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13 at 12:05 p.m. CT on CBS
Maliek Collins
Defensive Tackle | Dallas Cowboys
Collins has been with the Cowboys since he was drafted in third round (67th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. He started in nine games this season, adding 19 tackles and three sacks.
Wild Card: Cowboys vs. Seahawks, Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX
Outcome: Cowboys 24, Seahawks 22
Divisional Round: Cowboys vs. Rams, Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX
Nathan Gerry
Linebacker | Philadelphia Eagles
Gerry is in his second season with the Eagles. He was drafted by Philadelphia in the fifth round, 184th overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has 23 tackles on the season so far.
Gerry is also part of Nebraska’s Super Bowl appearance streak, having won the Super Bowl as a rookie in 2017. Can he and his team repeat?
Wild Card: Eagles vs. Bears, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 3:40 p.m. CT on NBC
Outcome: Eagles 16, Bears 15
Divisional Round: Eagles vs. Saints, Sunday, Jan. 13 at 3:40 p.m. CT on FOX
Randy Gregory
Defensive End | Dallas Cowboys
Gregory has been with the Cowboys since he was drafted in the second round (60th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft. However, he spent his rookie season battling injuries and then was suspended for most of the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Despite the rollercoaster start to his career, Gregory has played in 14 games during the 2018 season with 25 tackles and six sacks.
Wild Card: Cowboys vs. Seahawks, Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX
Outcome: Cowboys 24, Seahawks 22
Divisional Round: Cowboys vs. Rams, Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX
Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Cornerback | Baltimore Ravens
Jean-Baptiste has had quite the NFL career to date. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round (58th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was later released by the Saints on Sept. 5, 2015. Since then, he’s been with the Detroit Lions (2015), Seattle Seahawks (2015-16), Kansas City Chiefs (2017), Jacksonville Jaguars (2017) and Baltimore Ravens (2017-present).
While it appeared as if the 2018 season would finally be the one Jean-Baptiste made an active roster, a broken arm in the preseason placed him on injured reserve.
Wild Card: Ravens vs. Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 12:05 p.m. CT on CBS
Outcome: Chargers 23, Ravens 17
Sam Koch
Punter | Baltimore Ravens
After walking on at Nebraska, Koch was drafted in the sixth round (203rd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. In his 13th season with Baltimore, he’s averaging 47.4 yards per punt.
In his career, Koch holds the Ravens’ franchise records for most career punt yards (38,989), longest career punt (74 yards) and highest career yards per punt average (45.2).
Wild Card: Ravens vs. Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 12:05 p.m. CT on CBS
Outcome: Chargers 23, Ravens 17
Alex Lewis
Offensive Guard | Baltimore Ravens
Lewis was drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round (130th overall pick) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played in 10 games with eight starts during his rookie season before an ankle injury kept him out of the final six weeks.
Since then, Lewis has battled injuries in 2017 and 2018. After starting 10 games in 2018, he was injured mid-October with what was thought to be a serios neck injury. The injury was thankfully not as serious as originally thought, but he’s still missed the final four of the Ravens’ games.
Wild Card: Ravens vs. Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 12:05 p.m. CT on CBS
Outcome: Chargers 23, Ravens 17
Brett Maher
Kicker | Dallas Cowboys
Maher was originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2013, but was released only a couple of months later. He signed with the Cowboys in 2013, but was released less than a month after. Maher instead headed to the CFL, where he spent time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. After a short time with the Cleveland Browns in 2017, he returned to Ottawa for a second stint.
Patience paid off for Maher though. The Cowboys signed him again on April 4, 2018 and he’s been successful since. Maher is 29-of-36 on field goals this season, as well as 32-of-33 on extra points. Even more impressive, he’s 6-of-7 from 50-plus yards, and recently his a 62-yard field goal.
Wild Card: Cowboys vs. Seahawks, Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX
Outcome: Cowboys 24, Seahawks 22
Divisional Round: Cowboys vs. Rams, Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX
Matt Slauson
Offensive Guard | Indianapolis Colts
Slauson was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He’s also been with the Chicago Bears and San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before signing with the Colts on March 20, 2018.
After starting five games this season, Slauson broke two vertebrae in his spine and was placed on injured reserve.
Wild Card: Colts vs. Texans, Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3:35 p.m. CT on ESPN
Outcome: Colts 21, Texans 7
Divisional Round: Colts vs. Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 12 at 3:35 p.m. CT on NBC
Ndamukong Suh
Nose Tackle | Los Angeles Rams
Suh was drafted second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He spent five seasons with Detroit before signing with the Miami Dolphins in 2015. After three seasons in Miami, he signed a one-year deal worth $14 million with the Los Angeles Rams on March 26, 2018.
Suh started all 16 games for the Rams in 2018. He has 57 tackles and 4.5 sacks on the season so far.
Divisional Round: Rams vs. Cowboys, Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:15 p.m. CT on FOX
Erin is the Deputy Editor and Digital Marketing Strategist for Hail Varsity. She has covered Nebraska athletics since 2012, which has included stops at Bleacher Report, Cox Media Group’s Land of 10, and even Hail Varsity (previously from 2012-2017). She has also been featured on the Big Ten Network, NET’s Big Red Wrap-Up, and a varsity of radio shows nationwide. When not covering the Huskers, Erin is probably at Chipotle.
