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Nebraska Football’s All-Time Top 5 Tight Ends

By Oliver Vandervoort

Oct 17, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Cethan Carter (11) rushes towards the goal line after making a catch in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Cornhuskers won 48-25. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Cethan Carter (11) rushes towards the goal line after making a catch in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Cornhuskers won 48-25. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 6, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers mascot Herbie Husker performs during the game against the McNeese State Cowboys in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers mascot Herbie Husker performs during the game against the McNeese State Cowboys in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Johnny Mitchell

Johnny Mitchell just might have been the best tight end to ever play at Nebraska, if he had played in a different era. Despite the fact that he played for Nebraska football teams who were definitely of the “run-first” variety, he managed to both put up some impressive numbers and show his athletic prowess.

Mitchell’s legend was also cut short because as a junior college transfer, he only had a couple of years to make his name. The first year under head coach Tom Osborne, Mitchell saw limited action and he logged just 11 catches. The truly amazing thing about those 11 catches is that seven of them went for touchdowns.

Remember when I pointed out that almost 40 percent of Kyler Reed’s catches went for touchdowns? Well over half of Mitchell’s catches found the end zone his first year with the Huskers.

The next season, the coaches seemed to fully understand what he could do as a tight end. He was moved to that position and he hauled in 31 catches for 534 and another six touchdowns. That means over two seasons, Mitchell hauled in 42 catches for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s amazing to think what he might have done with more years and a passing offense.

After his 1991 season, he was drafted in the first round, 15th overall by the New York Jets. Injuries in the pros cut short what could have been an impressive career there too.

Next: Matt Herian

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