Honors & Awards
» Academic All-Big Ten (2017)
» Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2016, 2017; Spring, 2017)
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2016, 2017)
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2016, 2017)
Joel Lopez added depth on the defensive front throughout his Nebraska career. A walk-on from Illinois, Lopez joined the Nebraska program in 2014 after graduating from high school in the spring of 2013. A child, youth and family studies major, Lopez graduated in May of 2017 and played his senior season as a graduate student. He was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2017, and earned multiple spots on the Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship teams.
2017 (Senior)
Lopez was a reserve on the defensive line and made his first appearance in a game on Senior Day against Iowa.
2016 (Junior)
Lopez was a reserve defensive tackle. He did not appear in a game.
2015 (Sophomore)
Lopez added depth on the defensive front, but did not play in a game.
2014 (Redshirt Freshman)
Lopez added depth on the defensive line, but did not see any game action.
Before Nebraska (Burlington HS)
Lopez starred at defensive tackle and tight end for Burlington (Ill.) Central High School and Coach Rick Crabel. During his senior season in the fall of 2012, Lopez had 60 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and two sacks. From his tight end position, Lopez made nine catches for 94 yards. Lopez was a first-team all-area and all-conference selection as a senior. Lopez attended Nebraska's summer camp all four years of his high school career.
Personal
The son of Neal and Lori Lopez, Joel was born on Nov. 15, 1994. He has volunteered his time with Uplifting Athletes, the Lincoln Marathon, Husker Hotline, Souper Bowl of Caring, Shop With a Jock and local hospital outreach events. Lopez was named to the Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams in both2016 and 2017.