2017 Game Program Senior Feature: Joshua Kalu

Regardless of where he is on the field and what position he is playing, Joshua Kalu is a Husker football force to be reckoned with and has been since arriving at Nebraska in 2014.

Kalu joined the Huskers from Alief Taylor High School, where he was ranked among the top 80 safeties in the country according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Kalu received scholarship offers from Colorado, Arkansas State, Duke, Houston, SMU, Wake Forest and Washington State, but only visited Nebraska.

Kalu’s impact on the Nebraska football team was immediate as a true freshman in 2014. Kalu played in all 13 games that year, and started against Fresno State and Illinois.

Kalu played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2014, recording his first career interception against Miami in the fourth quarter, helping seal the Husker victory. He forced a pair of fumbles, one each against Fresno State and Iowa, and also recovered a fumble at Iowa to set up a touchdown. Kalu had six or more tackles three times, including a season-high seven against Illinois and six each at Fresno State and Iowa.

As a sophomore, Kalu started all 13 games working at cornerback and nickel back and earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition. He was second on the team in both tackles (75) and interceptions (3) and tied for the team lead in pass breakups (7). His 51 solo stops also led the Huskers. Kalu added five tackles for loss and a sack and had at least six tackles in six games.

His junior year, Kalu again started every game at cornerback and finished the season with 66 tackles, including 48 solo stops. Kalu led the Huskers with 11 pass breakups and added an interception, three tackles for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries. He made at least five tackles in seven games and had at least one breakup in seven games. In 2016, Kalu helped the Huskers rank as one of the nation’s most improved defenses.

Prior to his senior season, Kalu moved from cornerback to safety. The Houston, Texas, native has battled a hamstring injury but has still recorded 28 total tackles and one interception so far in 2017.

In his career, Kalu has started 33 games, the most of any current Husker except senior place-kicker Drew Brown. Kalu has totaled 196 tackles - the most of any current Husker - and he ranks seventh in Nebraska history for career tackles by a defensive back.

Off the field, Kalu has made an impact as well. The senior child, youth, and family studies major will graduate in December despite not redshirting.

Additionally, he has volunteered his time with Make-A-Wish, NFL Fuel Up to Play 60, the Souper Bowl of Caring, Husker Heroes and Husker Hotline, as well as local hospital and school outreach events.

Kalu has been honored for his community outreach work with spots on the Brook Berringer and the Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams each of the past three years.