Honors & Awards
» Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2018)
» Academic All-Big Ten (2017)
» Nebraska Outstanding Scholar Award (2018)
» Seven-Time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2017)
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2017)
Thomas Connely completed his Nebraska career in 2017, appearing in the season finale against Iowa. A walk-on from Kearney Catholic High School, Connely chose to complete his Nebraska career a year early and pursue a career in the medical field.
Connely added depth at linebacker throughout his time in Lincoln. Off the field, he was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2017, and a seven-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll, while carrying better than a 3.9 grade-point average in business administration/pre-medicine.
2017 (Junior)
Connely served as a reserve linebacker and made his first appearance as a Husker on Senior Day against Iowa.
2016 (Sophomore)
Connely added depth at linebacker and worked on the scout team, but did not play in a game.
2015 (Redshirt Freshman)
Connely added depth and worked on the scout team, but did not play in a game.
2014 (Redshirt)
Connely redshirted and worked on the scout team defense.
Before Nebraska (Kearney Catholic HS)
Connely was a two-way standout for Coach Dave Colling at Kearney Catholic. Connely helped his team to a 7-3 record and a trip to the second round of the Class C-1 playoffs in 2013. He made 59 tackles and had a pair of interceptions on defense, while rushing for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns. He added seven receptions to lead the Kearney Catholic offense. Connely earned first-team Class C-1 all-state honors on defense from both the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald.
Connely was a two-time Class C state wrestling champion. He won the title at 170 pounds as a junior and posted a 42-1 record on his way to the 182-pound title in 2014.
Personal
The son of Tom and Coleen Connelly, Thomas was born on Sept. 12, 1995. He was a member of the Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams in 2017 and has volunteered his time with Uplifting Athletes, the Souper Bowl of Caring and local hospital visits.