National Honors Candidate Ndamukong Suh

• 2009 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

• 2009 AFCA Coaches All-America First Team

• 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Winner

• 2009 Heisman Trophy Finalist

• 2009 Lombardi Award Finalist

• 2009 Outland Trophy Finalist

• 2009 Walter Camp National Football Foundation Player of the Year Award Finalist

• 2009 Chuck Bednarik Award Finalist

• 2009 Lott Trophy Finalist

• 2009 Sporting News Mid-Season All-American

• 2009 Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year (coaches)

• 2009 Preseason All-American (numerous media outlets)

• Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week  (vs. Kansas, 2008, vs. Missouri, 2009)

• Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week  (vs. Missouri, 2009)

• FWAA National Defensive Player of the Week (vs. Missouri, 2009)

• Lott Trophy Impact Player of the Week  (vs. Missouri, 2009;, vs. Iowa State, 2009)

• 2008 First-Team All-Big 12 (Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Kansas City Star, San Antonio Express-News)

• 2008 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches)

• 2008 Nebraska Defensive MVP

• 2006 First-Team Freshman All-Big 12 (Sporting News)

Ndamukong Suh in 2009 . . .

• Leads Nebraska team with 82 tackles, 12.0 sacks, 16 TFL (67 yards lost), 26 QB hurries and three blocked kicks through 13 games. Also ranks second with 10 pass breakups.
• In position to become first defensive lineman to lead Nebraska in total tackles in consecutive seasons
• Has moved into the Nebraska career top three for TFL and NU top 10 for sacks with 56 and 24.0, respectively
• Leads nation among active interior defensive linemen in career TFL (56)
• Already set the NU single-season (10) and career (15) position record for pass breakups, and ranks 48thnationally in PBU among all defensive players and second among non-defensive backs (only D-lineman in top 100)
• Helps NU rank second nationally in scoring defense (11.2 ppg), second in sacks (42), ninth in total defense (284.54 ypg), 11th in rushing defense (95.46 ypg) and 3rd in pass efficiency defense (90.54 ypg) through 13 games
• Posted at least one TFL in 21 of last 24 games, including 12 straight at one point
• Recorded two blocked kicks against Iowa State and one against Oklahoma to bring career total to six, a defensive lineman record at Nebraska
• Posted at least two quarterback hurries in six straight games, including four games this season with at least three QBH 

Pat Forde, ESPN.com

Nebraska's defensive tackle is approaching the point where he becomes the defensive equivalent of Tim Tebow -- able to control the game by himself. At 6-4, 300 pounds, he is Gumby -- able to stretch his body into places where it doesn't belong, able to achieve what no defensive tackle has done before him.

That's why his game is so hard to quantify. Suh, whose name is pronounced En-dom-ah-ken Soo, is coming off what might be the best game ever by a collegiate defensive tackle. On a rain-soaked Faurot Field at Missouri on Thursday, he was seemingly the only once with balance, so much so that he put together one of the more staggering lines for a tackle -- six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, two pass breakups and an interception that led to the winning touchdown.

Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com

“ I’ve been very aware of what a quality player he is. It’s pretty special when a guy like that can make those kinds of plays and create turnovers”

Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops

"I can't imagine a better defensive lineman in the country."

 “The numbers he puts up and the things he does athletically at that size, he’s a very dominant player. He’s a great, great football player. I can’t a image a lot of other defensive tackles like him in the country. I’d like to see them.”

Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel

 “When you combine his physical tools, production, high football acumen and desire to succeed, it equates to a future standout in the NFL.”

Mel Kiper, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst

“A defensive tackle who leads his team in tackles, drops into coverage and picks off passes is every bit as outstanding as a 4,000-yard passer or an 1,800-yard back. The problem is that the average Heisman voter doesn’t understand how much a dominant defensive tackle can change a game.

 

Voters often counter that quarterbacks receive an inordinate amount of votes because the ball is in their hands every play. What they fail to consider is that a player like Suh affects every play in which he participates. Opposing offensive coordinators must design game plans around him. Quarterbacks must always know where he is. Offensive linemen must double-team him, lest their quarterback suffer as Gabbert did Thursday.

So, please, Heisman committee, give me a vote. I’ll do exactly as you ask and select the nation’s most outstanding player. Right now, that’s Ndamukong Suh.”

Andy Staples, SI.com, following Suh’s effort against Missouri

                                                                                           

“Suh is virtually unblockable and he does things no other DT can. He leads his team in tackles, again. That’s shocking. That simply doesn’t happen these days. You might as well see a 2,500-yard rusher. Last season, he was the first DT to lead Nebraska in tackles in 35 years. To have this kind of production again -- after knowing how he is the focal point of a rival’s game plan -- is enough to get him on the Heisman radar. Maybe he can get in the race. I know this -- he’ll be in my top five this week because I doubt there are five better players in college football.”

Bruce Feldman, ESPN.com

In Their Words
“He might not possess all the greatness of the late Reggie White, but he sure does physically resemble him. Suh is 6-foot-4, 300 pounds. White was 6-5, 300. Just as White had, Suh has huge slabs for arms, a powerful lower body and startling athleticism. Suh is the only lineman among the top 98 players in America in passes defended, having batted down seven passes and intercepted one. The pick came in Suh's mauling of Missouri's offensive line Thursday, when he also compiled five tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Most impactful defensive player in the country right now.”