C.J. Zimmerer

Honors & Awards

• 2014 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award Winner
• CoSIDA Second-Team Academic All-American (2013)
• Academic All-District VII (2013)
• Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (1 of 11, 2013)
• Three-Time Academic All-Big Ten (2011, 2012, 2013)
• Four-Time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll
• Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010)
• Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010, 2011)
• Nebraska Heart & Soul Award (2014)
• Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2014)
• Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2013)
• Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award (2013)
• Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011, 2012, 2013)

Fullback C.J. Zimmerer completed his Husker career in the 2013 season. Zimmerer was a key contributor at the fullback spot throughout his Nebraska career, while also contributing on special teams. Zimmerer played in his 41st career game in the Huskers’ Gator Bowl win over Georgia.

In addition to his on-field contributions, Zimmerer has made a significant mark in the classroom and community during his time at Nebraska. The Omaha native graduated with a 3.76 grade-point average in criminology and criminal justice in December of 2012, and earned second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors this season. Zimmerer also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the third straight season in 2013.

Zimmerer was one of 11 FBS football student-athletes named to the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team for his community outreach efforts. In January, Zimmerer was honored by Uplifting Athletes as its 2014 winner of the Rare Disease Champion Award. He joined Rex Burkhead as NU’s second winner of the honor in the past three years.

2013 (Senior)
Zimmerer played in all 13 games and made six starts at fullback. Zimmerer did not have a carry, but his lead blocking played a key role in the All-Big Ten season of I-back Ameer Abdullah who rushed for 1,690 yards, the most by a Husker in 16 seasons.

Zimmerer had a two-yard reception against UCLA, and was a starter on the kickoff return squad. He had two kickoff returns for 15 yards.

2012 (Junior)
Zimmerer saw action in every game, and started against Minnesota. He saw time at both at fullback and on the Huskers’ PAT and field goal units. Zimmerer had four rushes for 18 yards, including three carries for 14 yards against Idaho State. Zimmerer also had a six-yard reception against Michigan. His blocking helped Nebraska average better than 250 rushing yards per game.

2011 (Sophomore)
Zimmerer saw limited action in the backfield, but was a regular on NU's kickoff return team and as a blocker on the PAT and field goal unit. He played in 11 games overall.

2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Zimmerer backed up Legate at fullback, and appeared in Nebraska victories over Western Kentucky, Kansas State and Colorado.

2009 (Redshirt)
Zimmerer redshirted and worked on the scout team.

Before Nebraska (Omaha Gross HS)
Zimmerer was a two-way standout for Coach Tim Johnk at Omaha Gross High School each of his last three seasons. Zimmerer posted impressive numbers on both sides of the ball in 2008. As a running back, he posted 1,325 yards and 17 touchdowns, while averaging better than 10 yards per carry. Defensively, Zimmerer was a force at linebacker, where he made 90 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and added a pair of interceptions.

His performance as a senior helped Gross to a 9-2 record and a trip to the second round of the Class B state playoffs. Zimmerer was named to the Lincoln Journal Star Super-State first team as a fullback, while the Omaha World-Herald made him a first-team All-Nebraska pick at linebacker. He was also the honorary captain of the World-Herald's Class B all-state defense. During his junior season, he ran for 701 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 88 carries, while making 123 tackles, including five sacks on defense. His play as a junior earned him first-team Class B all-state honors from both the state's largest papers. He also started on the Cougar defense during his sophomore season.

Zimmerer also played basketball at Gross prior to his senior season and competed for the Cougars' track team. He was one of the first players to join the 2009 recruiting class, committing to the Huskers in May 2008.

Personal
The son of Tim and Jackie Zimmerer, C.J. was born on May 23, 1991. Zimmerer majored in criminology and criminal justice and earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in December of 2012. He is a three-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor selection and was a four-time pick to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Zimmerer is also very active in community outreach work, and has been named to the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team in both 2011 and 2012. He has volunteered his time with team hospital and school visits, Madonna Rehabilitation Center, Cub Scouts, School is Cool Week, Husker Hotline, Husker Connect and the YWCA.

Single-Game Highs
» Rushes - 3 vs. Idaho State (2012)
» Rushing Yards - 14 vs. Idaho State (2012)
» Rushing Touchdowns - None
» Receptions - 1 vs. Michigan (2012), vs. UCLA (2013)
» Receiving Yards - 6 vs. Michigan (2012)
» Receiving Touchdowns - None