Honors & Awards
» Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2019)
» Academic All-Big Ten (2018, 2019)
» Nebraska Scout Team Defensive MVP (2015)
» The Cornhusker Award (2019)
» Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2017, 2018, 2019; Spring 2018, 2019)
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
2019 (Senior)
Reid Karel, who played his senior season as a graduate, made 12 tackles while playing in every game in 2019. He played on special teams against South Alabama and Colorado, recording his first career tackle against the Jaguars. Karel played both special teams and safety against Northern Illinois, totaling a career-high three tackles, including his first career tackle for loss. Karel had a tackle on punt coverage against Northwestern, and he made a stop on kickoff coverage at Purdue. He made one tackle at Maryland, where he played on special teams and on defense. In his final game, Karel made one tackle on kickoff coverage against Iowa.
2018 (Junior)
Karel appeared in five games as a junior on special teams, playing in the Minnesota, Bethune-Cookman, Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa games. Karel also saw action in the secondary against Bethune-Cookman, although he did not have a tackle on the season.
2017 (Sophomore)
Karel saw action in all 12 games as a sophomore. He played exclusively on special teams and was a key member of several units, although he did not record a tackle on the season. In addition to his special teams role, Karel also added depth in the Husker secondary.
2016 (Redshirt Freshman)
Karel provided depth at safety for the Huskers. He appeared in his first game in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee, seeing action on special teams.
2015 (Redshirt)
Karel was part of the 105-man fall camp roster and added depth in the secondary. He was the Scout Team Defensive MVP for his work in practice.
Before Nebraska (Seward HS)
Karel joined Nebraska as a walk-on after excelling at quarterback for Seward High School. Karel threw for nearly 2,000 yards with 14 touchdown passes during his senior season. He also rushed for 270 yards and six touchdowns. Karel led Coach Jamie Opfer’s team to an 8-3 record before the Bluejays lost in the Class B state quarterfinals.
Karel was an honorable-mention all-state pick by both the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star. Karel was also a member of the basketball and baseball teams over his final three seasons. As a senior in baseball, Karel produced a .484 on-base percentage and scored 16 runs.
Personal
Reid was born on July 7, 1997, and he is the son of Michael and Lisa Karel. He majored in management and earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in May of 2019. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Nebraska. Karel has volunteered his time with the Nebraska Football Road Race, School is Cool, Kids Against Hunger and local hospital visits.