Charles Fryar Season 1988

Honors & Awards

• First-Team All-Big Eight (AP, UPI, Coaches, 1988)
• Second-Team All-Big Eight (AP, UPI, 1987)
• Nebraska NBC Orange Bowl Player of the Game
• Played Two Seasons for Barcelona Dragons (WLAF, 1991, 1992)

1988 (Senior)
A first-team All-Big Eight selection while starting all 12 regular-season games and the 1989 Orange Bowl against Miami at right cornerback, Charles Fryar pulled down three interceptions for the Blackshirts as a senior in 1988. He returned one interception 86 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma State. Fryar finished the season with 34 tackles, including 27 solos, while adding four pass breakups. He also forced one fumble while recovering two more as one of Nebraska’s top defensive playmakers. Fryar helped the Blackshirts rank sixth nationally in pass defense (134.8 ypg) and seventh in total defense (262.8 ypg). The Huskers won the Big Eight title and finished 11-2 overall after falling to the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl.

In his three seasons as a starting corner for the Big Red, Fryar totaled 121 tackles, including 90 solos. He had two TFLs for seven yards, and pulled down seven regular-season interceptions and a fumble that was collected in mid-air. He added 19 pass breakups. He earned three varsity letters (1986, 1987, 1988). He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 1989. He was a member of the Barcelona Dragons in the World League of American Football in 1991 and 1992. He also played one game for the Sacramento Gold Miners in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1993.

1987 (Junior)
Fryar earned second-team All-Big Eight accolades as a returning starter in the Husker defensive backfield alongside left corner Lorenzo Hicks and safety Mark Blazek. He produced 35 total tackles, including 25 solos, with one TFL for three yards. He snagged one interception, which came in the end zone to stop an Oklahoma State touchdown and help give the Huskers a 35-0 shutout of the Cowboys. Fryar contributed four more tackles, including a one-yard TFL, and three pass breakups against Florida State in the 1988 Fiesta Bowl.

1986 (Sophomore)
In his first year as a starter, Fryar led the Husker secondary with 52 tackles, including 38 solos, to rank fifth on the team in overall stops. He also shared the team lead with three interceptions, while adding three pass breakups. Fryar posted six tackles (four solos) and a PBU in the 1987 Sugar Bowl win over LSU.

1985 (Redshirt Freshman)
Fryar started at cornerback for the 5-0 Husker freshman team in 1985, recording 24 tackles, an interception and a PBU.

1984 (Redshirt)
A walk-on to the Nebraska program from Burlington, N.J., Fryar redshirted during his first season in Lincoln.

Burlington City High School
An all-state and All-America selection for Coach Tim Reardon at Burlington City High School, Fryar played tailback and safety. As a senior he rushed for 1,600 yards, intercepted nine passes and scored 32 touchdowns. Burlington’s record during his three-year career was 29-4. He also earned varsity letters in basketball and track.

Personal
Charles was born in Mount Holly, N.J. He is the cousin of Nebraska All-American wingback and NFL first-round draft pick Irving Fryar. He earned his bachelor’s degree as a human resources major from Nebraska in 2000.