Two Husker receivers picked up some more national recognition on Tuesday.
Freshman wideout J.D. Spielman was named a USA Today Freshman All-American following a record-breaking first year with the Huskers, and Stanley Morgan Jr. was named to Phil Steele’s All-Big Ten First Team.
Spielman, one of four Big Ten players named to the team, set Nebraska freshman records last season with 55 catches and 830 receiving yards. His 1,572 all-purpose yards were also a school record for a freshman. The Minnesota native also led all freshmen nationally in receiving yards per game (75.5) and ranked second in catches per game (5) and all-purpose yards (142.9).
He also set a single-game record for receiving yards when he ripped Ohio State for 200 on Oct. 14.
After the season, Spielman was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team by coaches and was also tabbed as an honorable mention specialist.
Morgan led the Huskers last season with 61 catches (third most in school history), 986 yards (the most by any receiver in a single season in Nebraska history), 10 touchdowns (third most in school history) and five 100-yard games (most in school history). His season total in yardage broke former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers' near 50-year-old record.
Morgan was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media after the season. Spielman was also named to Steele’s All-Big Ten second team.
Derek is a newbie on the Hail Varsity staff covering Husker athletics. In college, he was best known as ‘that guy from Twitter.’ He has covered a Sugar Bowl, a tennis national championship and almost everything in between (except an NCAA men’s basketball tournament game… *tears*). In his spare time, he can be found arguing with literally anyone about sports.