T.J. O'Leary Season 2005

Honors and Awards

• 2008 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team
• 2008 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll

2008 (Senior)
T.J. O’Leary was a vital member of the Nebraska special teams over the past three seasons, handling the long-snapping chores. The Omaha native helped Nebraska’s kicking game rank among the most solid units in the Big 12 Conference during his Husker career.

In his third season as a starter in 2008, O’Leary started all 13 games and helped place-kicker Alex Henery connect on 56-of-57 PAT attempts, and convert on 18-of-21 field goal attempts. The kicking corps capped the regular season with Henery’s school record 57-yard field goal that provided the decisive points
against Colorado, then Henery made four field goals in the Gator Bowl victory. O’Leary also assisted NU punters in pinning opponents inside their 20-yard line 14 times. On coverage, O’Leary made an unassisted tackle against San Jose State.

2007 (Junior)
O’Leary started all 12 games as Nebraska’s long snapper. In the punting game, he teamed with Dan Titchener to help Nebraska to a 36.3-yard net punting average. O’Leary was flawless in his snapping for PATs and field goals, helping kickers Alex Henery and Adi Kunalic to a perfect season, as they connected on all nine field goals and each of NU’s 46 PATs. O’Leary also had three tackles on punt coverage.

2006 (Sophomore)
O’Leary began the year as Lane Kelly’s backup, but stepped up after Kelly suffered a leg injury. O’Leary served as the Huskers’ snapper for punts for the final 10 games of the year, while Kelly returned to handle PAT and field goal snaps late in the season.

O’Leary helped Nebraska rank 24th in net punting, while the PAT and field goal unit connected on 55-of-56 extra points and 5-of-7 field goals.

2005 (Redshirt)
O'Leary redshirted after transferring from New Mexico State.

Before Nebraska (Millard North/New Mexico State)
O'Leary played in every game for New Mexico State in 2004 and made three tackles on special teams, while serving as the long snapper. O’Leary was a member of the 2003 Class A state title team at Millard North, as well as the 2002 state runner-up squad. He was a first-team all-state selection and was chosen for the 2004 Shrine Bowl. In addition to three letters in football, O’Leary earned two letters in baseball.

Personal
Timothy John (T.J.) is the son of John and Peggy O’Leary, and was born on Dec. 20, 1985. John O’Leary played for Nebraska from 1971 to 1975. T.J. is majoring in communication studies and will graduate this December. O’Leary was the 2007-08 vice-president of Nebraska’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has also been a regular in NU’s community outreach projects. O’Leary’s activities have included assisting with the Food Bank of Lincoln, the LPS Back Pack Program and team hospital visits.