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Reggie Cooper was a player ahead of his time. At 6'3" and 210 pounds, he was a man among boys in the defensive backfield. Cooper used that size and speed to earn four letters, playing with the varsity as a true freshman. As a sophomore, Cooper racked up eight tackles in his first career start (against Texas A&M in the Kickoff Classic). He would earn a spot on the All-Big Eight second team.

Cooper was a sure tackler, leading all defensive backs in tackles his final three seasons, and breaking Larry Wachholtz's school record for tackles by a defensive back. Cooper is still 44th on the career tackles list, tied with fellow Louisiana native LeRoy Etienne.


As a junior in 1989, Cooper led the Big Eight in interceptions despite playing with cartilage damage in his left knee. He returned blocked a punt 17 yards and recovered a second blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown. He was a first-team All-Big Eight selection, second-team All-American and finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.

Reggie Cooper vs. Arizona State in 1988.
Reggie Cooper vs. Arizona State in 1988. | Nebraska Football Media Guide
Cooper's senior season was even more of the same. He led the team in pass breakups, led all defensive backs with 71 tackles and once again was named first-team All-Big Eight.

Reggie Cooper played in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and was inducted to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

De'Mornay Pierson-El was a versatile and electryifying performer for Nebraska throughout his Cornhusker career. A Virginia native, Pierson-El burst onto the scene in 2014 earning All-America honors as a punt returner as a true freshman. He continued to be a difference-maker on special teams throughout his career, while also producing an outstanding Nebraska career as a receiver.

The 5-9, 190-pound Pierson-El finished his career third in Nebraska history with 904 career punt return yards, including 596 yards and three punt return touchdowns in 2014. Pierson-El finished his career with 12 career punt returns of at least 25 yards. He also became the 11th player with 100 career receptions in a Nebraska uniform, finishing his career with exactly 100 catches. He also ranked 13th in school history in receiving yardage with 1,309 yards. In addition to his three career punt return touchdowns, Pierson-El caught 11 touchdown passes and threw for one in his career.