The 2016 Blackshirt defense was ranked as one of the nation's most improved defensive units.
Nebraska's Nathan Gerry was recognized on both the Big Ten coaches and media all-conference teams. Gerry was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and third-team All-Big Ten honors from the conference coaches; marking the third consecutive year he has earned either second- or third-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Gerry finished second for the Huskers in total tackles with 74, including 47 solo stops. He was tied for fourth among the Husker defenders in tackles for loss (seven) and his four interceptions and eight pass breakups rank second on the team. Gerry has a total of 273 career tackles to tie for sixth in school history along with 13 career interceptions.
Ross Dzuris, Kevin Maurice, Josh Banderas and Christ Jones were named honorable-mention all-conference on both media and coaches' teams.
Dzuris leads Nebraska with 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season, with a total of 43 tackles.
Maurice started all 12 games and finished with 35 tackles and four sacks.
Banderas leads the Huskers with 89 tackles, along with 38 solo stops and eight tackles for loss.
Jones led the Huskers with nine pass breakups and three interceptions.
The Nebraska special teams also had two honorees, Drew Brown and De'Mornay Pierson-El. Brown was an honorable-mention choice by the media after connection on 11-of-13 field goals and all 35 of his extra-point attempts. Pierson-El was an honorable-mention choice on both teams, averaging 7.3 yards on punt returns.
Sam Cotton was awarded with the Sportsmanship Award for Nebraska.
