Mike Minter

Honors & Awards

• Nebraska Football Hall of Fame (2006 Inductee)
• Drafted by the Carolina Panthers (1997 - 2nd Round, Pick #56)
• University of Nebraska Graduate (December 1996)
• Member of Two Nebraska National Championship Teams (1994, 1995)
• First-Team All-Big 12 (AP, 1996)
• Second-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches, 1996)
• Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week (vs. Michigan State, 1996)
• Tom Novak Trophy Winner (1996)
• Second-Team All-Big Eight (AP, 1995)
• Second-Team All-Big Eight (Coaches, 1995)
• Nebraska Defensive Player-of-the-Game (vs. Iowa State, 1995)
• Second-Team All-Big Eight (Coaches, 1993)

Career

Mike Minter battled back from a major 1994 knee injury, and started all 25 games (including bowl games) the remainder of his Husker career. He finished with 134 tackles (51 solo), caused three fumbles (recovering one), had 13 pass breakups and seven interceptions. Minter's hard work and determination paid off as he was selected in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. He would play for the Panther organization for 10 years (1997-2006) before retiring. Minter planned on playing the 2007 NFL season, but retired early due to continuing knee problems. He would retire with Carolina records for game starts (141) and consecutive starts (94), as well as for fumble recoveries and interceptions resulting in touchdowns.

1996 (Senior)

Minter had an All-Big 12 year for Nebraska, starting every game at rover while also seeing time at Will linebacker. Minter tied for the lead in interceptions with five and was 27th in the nation in interceptions per game with a 0.45 average. He had two pickoffs in the season opener against Michigan State, one for an 84-yard touchdown, the other for three yards. In that game, he also had four tackles and earned Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors. Minter also picked off a Jake Plummer pass against Arizona State, then intercepted his fourth pass against Oklahoma in front of his home state crowd, which set up Nebraska's fifth touchdown of the day in a 73-21 Husker win. Minter also picked off a pass against Missouri to give him five interceptions on the season, the most by any Husker since 1990. Minter finished the season with 51 tackles including 15 solo stops.

1995 (Junior)

Minter still showed effects of a 1994 knee surgery at the beginning of the season and spent a lot of time in the training room after games, but showed remarkable improvement as the season went along. He started every game for Nebraska at rover and was NU's second-leading tackler with 53, tying the team high with 27 solo stops. He had two tackles for 12 yards lost, one fumble caused and two interceptions. His first pick was in game two against Michigan State and his second came against the Iowa State Cyclones. He had a career-high eight tackles in the Michigan State and Arizona State contests and a personal-best two pass breakups against Iowa State. He tied with Michael Booker for the team lead in breakups (six). He had a diagnostic scope after spring ball in April, 1995 but the arthroscopic surgery showed no problems. In the 1996 Fiesta Bowl, Minter had six tackles (four solo).

1994 (Sophomore)

After moving to free safety prior to the 1994 season, Minter started the first two games and had two tackles and a breakup against West Virginia, then a career-high five tackles and a tackle for loss against Texas Tech, before he tore his left ACL and missed the last 10 games of the season after having reconstructive surgery.

1993 (Freshman)

A redshirted freshman, Minter played in every game, backing up senior starter Toby Wright at rover. He had 23 tackles (6 solo), one for two yards lost and two fumbles caused. In the fourth quarter against Oklahoma after NU's go-ahead touchdown, Minter caused a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which NU's David Seizys recovered. One play later, Calvin Jones scored to give the Huskers a comfortable 21-7 lead. He also recovered a fumble against his home-state Sooners and had three tackles. He had a then-career-high four tackles, three times in 1993. Against Florida State in the 1994 Orange Bowl, Minter had one tackle.

1992 (Redshirt)

A scholarship athlete, Minter redshirted in 1992.

Before Nebraska (Lawton High School)

A two-way player for Coach Derald Ahlschlager, Minter led Lawton to the second round of the state playoffs. As an all-state running back, he led the state's largest class in rushing in 1991 with 1,589 yards and 21 touchdowns, while averaging 8.5 yards per carry. Minter, a National Honor Society member, averaged 21 points per game in basketball and was one of three Husker recruits out of the Sooner state in 1992-after NU had signed just two in its history, the late Victor Stachmus of McAlester in 1988 and 1992 Outland trophy winner Will Shields in 1989 (Lawton HS).

Personal

The son of Florida Martin, Mike was born on Jan. 15, 1974, in Cleveland, Ohio. Mike majored in engineering and earned his bachelor’s degree from Nebraska in December 1996. Despite the fact that Minter was in Miami to play in the national championship games, in 1994 and 1995, he and teammates took time to speak to kids in the Dade County housing projects about staying in school and developing good role models. He was also a volunteer with Omaha Youth Rap Sessions. His wife's name is Kim, and they have a son Michael Jr.

Minter's Career Statistics