Ross Dzuris

Defensive end Ross Dzuris was a breakthrough player for the Nebraska defense in his final two seasons in a Husker uniform. After not playing in a game in his first three years in the program, Dzuris became one of the Huskers' most productive defenders in his final two seasons. 

Dzuris led the team in tackles for loss in both 2015 and 2016, racking up a combined 22 TFL in the two-year span. He also led Nebraska in sacks in 2016, as the Blackshirts were one of the nation's most improved defensive units. Dzuris earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors for his performance as a senior. 

The 6-3, 255-pound Dzuris originally joined the program as a walk-on, but earned a scholarship prior to his junior season. He earned his degree in business administration in December of 2016. 

2016 (Senior)
Dzuris capped his career with an outstanding senior season and he was in the starting lineup at defensive end in all 13 games. Dzuris had 49 tackles, the most among NU's defensive linemen, and led the team in both sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (13). His ranked in the top 20 in the Big Ten in both categories and was an honorable-mention all-league pick.

Dzuris opened the year with four tackles against Fresno State, including a career-high two sacks and a career-best three tackles for loss. He had four tackles, two tackles for loss and shared a sack a week later against Wyoming. He also recovered a fumble against the Cowboys and returned it nine yards to the one-yard line to set up a touchdown a play later. Dzuris closed non-conference play with five tackles and a sack in a win over Oregon.

Dzuris had five tackles and registered a sack on Nebraska's final defensive play in a win over Purdue. He had a standout game on Senior Day against Maryland with two tackles for loss and a sack. Dzuris finished the regular season with a career-high 10 tackles at Iowa. He notched six tackles and tied his career high with three tackles for loss in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee.

2015 (Junior)
Dzuris was one of four defensive ends to see extensive action, as he played in every game with four starts during Big Ten Conference play. Dzuris led the Huskers with nine tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks and finished with 24 overall tackles, including 14 solo stops. He had at least one tackle for loss in eight games, and also added five quarterback pressures.

Dzuris had two tackles, including a tackle for loss against Southern Miss. In his first career start against Wisconsin, Dzuris had four tackles. He added four tackles and two tackles for loss against Northwestern, including a shared sack with Jack Gangwish that resulted in a first-quarter safety. Dzuris had a season-high five tackles, including a sack and four solo tackles at Purdue. He added his second solo sack of the season at Rutgers and totaled three tackles against the Scarlet Knights.

2014 (Sophomore)
Dzuris added depth at defensive end, but did not play in a game.

2013 (Redshirt Freshman)
Dzuris was a reserve defensive end, but did not appear in a game.

2012 (Redshirt)
Dzuris walked on and redshirted in his first season in the program.

Before Nebraska (Plattsmouth HS)
Dzuris was a force on the defensive line for Plattsmouth High School, leading the Blue Devils to consecutive playoff berths during his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Dzuris earned second-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald and was part of the Lincoln Journal Star Class B all-state football team after collecting 103 total tackles, including 45 solo stops.

Dzuris had 52 tackles and four sacks as a junior, and was named a first-team all-state selection by HuskerlandPreps.com and was a first-team all-area selection from the Omaha World-Herald. Dzuris earned honorable-mention all-state recognition as a junior in basketball, and competed in track and field. Dzuris participated in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl in June of 2012. He chose to walk on at Nebraska over scholarship offers from North Dakota and South Dakota.

Personal
The son of Bob and Leesa Dzuris, Ross was born on Oct. 13, 1993. Dzuris was married to the former Noelle Campbell in the summer of 2016. Noelle also attended Plattsmouth High School. Dzuris majored in business administration and earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in December of 2016. He was named to the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll four times. He has volunteered time with the Husker Heroes, Husker Hotline, Uplifting Athletes and local hospital visits.

Dzuris' Career Statistics

.	.	Tackles			.	.	Fum.	.	.	.	QB
Year	G/S	UT	AT	TT	TFL	Sacks	C-R	BK	PBU	PI	Hry.
2012						Redshirt
2013						DNP
2014						DNP
2015	13/4	14	10	24	9-19	2.5-10	0-0	0	0	0	5
2016	13/13	21	28	49	13-44	5.5-26	0-1	0	0	0	1
Totals	26/17	35	38	73	22-63	8-36	0-1	0	0	0	6

 
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles - 10 at Iowa (2016)
» Tackles for Loss - 3 vs. Fresno State, vs. Tennessee (2016)
» Sacks - 2.0 vs. Fresno State (2016)