Tony Tata Season 2000

• 1999 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll

Tony Tata had major reconstructive surgery on his left knee last year after spring ball and was never able to make it back to playing shape last fall. He did see action this spring and will be looking for playing time in 2002 at Mike linebacker behind projected starter Barrett Ruud and transfer Chad Sievers.

2001: Tata did not see action after having reconstructive knee surgery in the spring. He tore his left ACL midway through spring camp.

2000: In his second season, Tata played in the first nine games behind All-America starter Carlos Polk and Jamie Burrow at Mike linebacker and as a member of NU's kickoff coverage team. He recorded four assisted tackles and had one pass breakup vs. Baylor. He had a career-best two tackles (both assists) vs. Baylor. Tata played in the 2000 Alamo Bowl but did not have a tackle.

1999: Tata saw action in two games (Cal and Iowa State) and had one tackle vs. California.

1998: A scholarship athlete, Tata redshirted in 1998.

At St. Louis School: Tata came to the Huskers from St. Louis School in Hawaii, the same school as fellow Husker Junior Tagoa'i. Tata earned All-West honors, was the state's defensive player of the year and the Hawaii player of the year by USA Today (and honorable-mention All-American) after recording 74 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Tata visited Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Washington before picking the Huskers. A native of American Samoa, Tata is the fifth member of his family to accept a Division I-A football scholarship. Three brothers (Pulou-RB, Tasi-OL, Silila-NT) were members of Oregon's 1994 Rose Bowl team, while Vavae was a defensive end for UCLA.

Personal: The son of Mele (mother) and the late Peni (father) Tata, Tony was born on Jan. 11, 1979. His guardian is Pepe Malepeai. Tata majors in business administration and is scheduled to graduate in December 2002. He is a member of the 2002 Nebraska Football Unity Council.