Nebraska Football: 15 Year Hidden Gem Team – Offense
Everyone knows that the Nebraska football team requires talent to compete for championships, right? Mike Riley certainly does.
Most of that talent is recognized early on through the recruiting process. However, sometimes diamonds in the rough turn out to be just as vital throughout their careers.
These “hidden gems” can become anything from solid contributors to All-Americans, even after scouts underestimate their potential.
Let’s tip our cap to those fellas who started from the bottom of their respective recruiting classes since 2002 and left among the best to wear the Scarlet & Cream.
Offense
Quarterback
Joe Ganz – .7778 composite (247) – two-star
Ganz currently holds 23 school records, including single-game passing yards (510), total offense (528) and passing TD’s (seven) in only his second start as quarterback for the Huskers.
He chose Nebraska over Eastern Michigan and Northwestern. Ganz signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2009 before returning to Nebraska as a graduate manager in 2010.
I-Back
Brandon Jackson – .8222 composite (247) – three-star
Jackson was part of a stable of backs in his first two years before finally breaking through as a junior with 10 touchdowns and 104 all-purpose yards per game which earned him All-Big 12 honors.
He chose Nebraska over Mississippi State and Memphis. Jackson was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Tight End
J.B. Phillips – .8000 composite (247) – three-star
Phillips was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 selection at Nebraska before graduating in 2007 and participated in all 49 games from his sophomore year on.
He chose Nebraska over Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Phillips earned his master’s degree in business administration after his collegiate career.
Wide Receivers
Quincy Enunwa – .8356 composite (247) – three-star
Enunwa’s 753 receiving yards are good for a top ten spot in program history and he is only one of five players with two 40-catch seasons.
He still holds the Nebraska record for touchdowns in a single season with 12, one more than Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers.
Enunwa chose Nebraska over Washington State. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Terrence Nunn – .8000 composite (247) – three-star
Nunn finished his career at Nebraska second in both career receptions (136) and career receiving yards (1,762).
He also owns the second-longest streak of games with a catch (32). Nunn chose Nebraska over Wisconsin and Oklahoma State.
He was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent in 2009.
Fullback
Andy Janovich – no composite – no stars
Janovich earned his way into Nebraska lore by revitalizing the fullback position under the Riley regime in 2015.
He finished with 265 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry which gained him Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.
Janovich chose a walk-on spot at Nebraska over a scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
Offensive Line
Matt Slauson – no composite – no stars
Slauson earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2006 and 2007 along with First-Team honors in 2008.
He played in 48 games in his career and started 35 of them, including three as a true freshman.
Slauson chose Nebraska over Oklahoma State and Oregon State. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Mike Caputo – no composite – no stars
Caputo started all 27 games during his last two seasons with the Big Red.
He earned Honorable Mention honors in both the Big 12 and Big Ten in back-to-back seasons (’10 & ’11) and Second-Team All-Big Ten honors by the Coaches in 2011.
Caputo chose to walk on at Nebraska over many Division II scholarships.
After going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, Caputo tried out for the Minnesota Vikings but was not signed.
Mike Huff – .7444 composite (247) – two-star
Huff lettered during all four years of his Nebraska career and started 23 times over his final two seasons.
He played in all 13 games during his senior season, helping Joe Ganz and the offense to be the nation’s 12th best unit. He chose Nebraska over Colorado State, Iowa and Kansas State.
Spencer Long – no composite – no stars
Long earned Second-Team All-American Honors as a junior in 2012 and Second-Team All-Big Ten Honors in 2013 despite having his senior year cut short due to injury.
He also earned First-Team Academic All-American Honors in 2013 to finish out his excellent academic career.
Long chose to walk on at Nebraska with his twin brother Jake who played tight end for the Huskers.
He was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.
Jake Cotton – .7778 (247) – two-star
Cotton earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in 2014 after helping Ameer Abdullah and the Huskers generate a Top-20 rushing attack.
He played in 32 games over his career and started 24 of 26 games in his junior and senior seasons.
Next: 10 Best Husker Wide Receivers of All-Time
Cotton chose Nebraska over scholarships from many Division II schools.
He signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans in 2015 but later signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL after being waived.