Captain?s Odds on Janovich Making NFL: 100 Percent

Video: Janovich Wins Novak Award

Video: Gangwish Chamberlin Award

Video: Reeves Wins Fischer Award

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Omaha – Nebraska’s 2015 Guy Chamberlin Trophy winner isn’t a fortune teller, but he has no problem becoming an odds-maker when asked the chances of the Huskers’ 2015 Tom Novak Award winner earning a spot in the National Football League. “One-hundred percent!” Chamberlin winner Jack Gangwish said about Novak honoree Andy Janovich making the NFL.

“If anybody gives Jano a shot, he’s going to have one incredible career in the NFL,” Gangwish told me at Thursday night’s 19th annual Outland Trophy Award Dinner at Omaha’s Downtown Doubletree Hotel. “Jano and I are both chasing a dream now to play in the NFL. If you had to pick the most athletic guy on our team, most people would say Andy Janovich.”

Why? “Because he’s a guy we asked to block, to tackle, to run and to catch and he does all four of those at a very high level,” Gangwish said. “Jano’s great. He was our premier special teams’ player who went out there and played with a lot of heart, doing something that a lot of guys don’t want to do. Jano gained a lot respect from our entire team all year long because he’s not afraid to play all those hard positions in every single game all season.”

That’s why Nebraska Coach Mike Riley raves about Janovich and expects him to land on an NFL roster next summer. Having served three years as the San Diego Chargers’ head coach, plus other NFL and CFL experience, Riley is confident that Jano will be an ideal fit for a franchise that craves versatility.

Reeves Receives Cletus Fischer Native Son Award, Begins Job Monday

Husker centerRyne Reeves,who received the Cletus Fischer Native Son Award at Thursday night’s banquet, believes both honored teammates are legitimate pro prospects. “I like Andy’s and Jack’s chances to make the NFL,” Reeves said. “They’re both hard workers. Jack was a great captain for us. He’s a leader with a bright future. Andy, of course, is a special kid. He has one of the best work ethics that I’ve ever seen.”

Janovich doesn’t shy away from great expectations. Watching former Husker teammate Trevor Roach play in the NFL playoffs last week for the Cincinnati Bengals broadened Jano’s vision. “Trevor was a guy who always kept his nose to the grindstone,” Janovich said. “Knowing what he did and the way he prepared gives me hope for the NFL. He’s motivated me and influenced me. We’re friends who go out shooting together. The key is to keep working hard and go all out whenever you get your chance.”

Jano remembers Tom Novak’s picture while walking down the hall in the Osborne Athletic Complex, so he researched the award that honored the Husker legend. “I know he’s the only four-time first-team all-conference player in Nebraska history,” Janovich said. “I know he was All-Big Six and All-Big Seven and a first-team All-American in 1947, plus the first Husker in history to have his jersey retired. I also know he was a three-year baseball letterman.”

Nebraska 1971 Outland Trophy winner Larry Jacobson is flanked by Joshua Garnett (Stanford, 2016) and Randy White (Maryland, 1974).

Fellow Real Go-Getter Janovich Likes Novak’s Nickname: ‘Train Wreck’

Janovich saved his best fact for last. “I know his nickname is Train Wreck because he was a real go-getter on the field,” Janovich said. “It’s really an honor to receive an award with Tom Novak’s name on it.”

Gangwish also researched Nebraska football history to grasp fully the honor he received. “Guy Chamberlin is one of gate doors to the Tunnel Walk,” Gangwish said. “I’ve seen his picture and checked out his career. To be honored in the name of this great Husker is humbling. Guy Chamberlin was a great player, but he was also one highest percentage winning coaches in NFL history. I’m feeling very fortunate right now. This is the culmination of my college career and being honored with Guy Chamberlin is really special.”

Reeves is equally satisfied to end his college career receiving an award at a signature national banquet. “It’s a big event and a great night and I’m happy to be here,” he said. “It’s a good way for me to end my career and really special because I’m not going to play football anymore. I start working on Monday as an intern for Pinnacle Bank Arena in Crete, my hometown. With all the injuries I’ve had playing football, I just decided the best thing for me is to move on in life. The plan is to work in Crete, learn the business and move to Colorado Springs and work at one of their banks in the fall.”

Stanford offensive guard Joshua Garnett received the 70th Outland Trophy Award Thursday night, and the Rotary Club of Omaha saluted 1974 Maryland Outland winner Randy White.

Osborne Legacy Award Winner Represents Football's Life-Related Values

Syracuse’s Jim Ridlon Sr. (pictured above with Tom Osborne) received the second annual Tom Osborne Legacy Award, given to the person who has made an impact to the interior line and is a “winner on and off the field”.

Steve Richardson, the Dallas-based executive director of the Football Writers Association of America, welcomed the winners to Omaha.

Tom Novak Award Winners

Guy Chamberlin Trophy Winners

Cletus Fischer Native Son Winners

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