Nebraska football's senior award winners announced
The Nebraska football team announced its 2023 senior award winners on Thursday.
Both the media and coaching staff vote on the awards. All four of this year’s award winners are former in-state recruits.
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Guy Chamberlain Award: LB Luke Reimer
“The Guy Chamberlin Trophy dates back to 1967 and is presented to the senior player who has shown by his play and contributions to the betterment of the Nebraska football team that he has the qualities and dedication of Chamberlin to the Cornhusker tradition.“
Linebacker Luke Reimer was Nebraska’s most decorated player in 2023, named third-team All-Big Ten. He finished his NU career with 293 tackles over 48 games, which ranks third on the Huskers’ all-time list.
Tom Novak Award: LB Nick Henrich
“Established in 1950, the Novak Award is presented to the senior who “best exemplifies courage and determination despite all odds in the manner of Nebraska All-America center Tom Novak.”
The Omaha Burke product battled multiple injuries over his time at Nebraska, but linebacker Nick Henrich still finished with 204 total tackles over 35 games. He made 22 starts over his Husker career. Henrich could return for another season in 2024 but has moved on from the program after suffering another season-ending knee injury.
Cletus Fischer Native Son Award: OL Ethan Piper
“The Native Son Award is named in honor of former Nebraska assistant coach Cletus Fischer. Chosen by the coaching staff, the Native Son Award is presented to the senior player who best exemplifies the following qualities—good work ethic, competitiveness, leadership, forthrightness, sense of humor, pride, loyalty and love of Nebraska.“
The Norfolk Catholic product was one of the leaders of the Husker offense in 2023, starting eight games before suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2023. Over his career, Ethan Piper was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2021, 2022, 2023), Academic All-Big Ten (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022; Spring 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award (2021), Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2021, 2022, 2023) and the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2021, 2022, 2023).
The Cornhusker: DB Phalen Sanford
“The Cornhusker is presented to a player who started their Nebraska career as a walk-on and made the largest contribution to the team in their last season of eligibility.”
Benkelman native Phalen Sanford played 40 games over four seasons after coming to Nebraska from Hastings College as a track athlete. He was one of the Huskers’ top players on special teams and one of the faster overall athletes on the team.
