| Out of a tradition that spawned players like Tyrone Williams, Mike Minter and Mike Brown, DeJuan Groce takes the leap to the pros as yet another outstanding secondary player for the Huskers. Replacing Keyou Craver, DeJuan Groce cemented himself as easily one of the best cover-corners in the conference and one of the better ones around the country. In addition, DeJuan Groce was one of if not the best punt returner in all of Division 1-A football this last season. His collegiate wall of honors pretty much speaks for itself.
Bio: Courtesy of NU sports information
2002 First-Team All-American Return Specialist (AFCA)
2002 First-Team All-American Punt Returner (CNNSI.com)
2002 Third-Team All-American Kick Returner (The Sporting News)
2002 Fourth-Team All-American Cornerback (The Sporting News)
2002 First-Team All-Big 12 KIck Returner (Coaches, Kansas City Star, DMN)
2002 Second-Team All-Big 12 Cornerback (Coaches, AP, Kansas City Star, DMN)
2002 Second-Team All-Big 12 All-Purpose (Associated Press)
2002 The Sporting News National Player of the Week (Troy State, 8/31)
2002 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Utah State (9/7)
2002 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week (Troy State, 8/31; Missouri, 10/12)
2002 Nebraska Team Captain (one of three)
2001 Third-Team All-Big 12 Cornerback (Coaches)
2001 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 Cornerback (AP)
2001 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Missouri (9/29)
Tied NCAA Record with Two Punt Return Touchdowns vs. Troy State (8/31)
Tied Nebraska Season Record with Three Punt Return Touchdowns (2002)
Nebraska Single-Season Punt Return Yardage Record Holder (630 yards, 2002)
Second in Nebraska Career Punt Return Yardage (1,116 yards)
Second in Nebraska Career Punt Return Touchdowns (5 TDs)
School Record Holder for Season Pass Breakups (17 in 2000)
Third on Nebraska Career PBU Chart (40)
Career Bests:
Interceptions: 8-75-0 total; 1-0-0 in 2000; 3-49-0 in 2001; 4-26-0 in 2002
Punt Returns: 70-1,116-4 total; 2-17-0 in 1999; 33-469-1 in 2001; 35-630-3 in 2002
2000 Fiesta Bowl vs. Tennessee: Tackles, 1 UT, 0 AT, 1 TT
2000 Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Tackles, 5 UT, 1 AT, 6 TT
2002 Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, 3 UT, 1 AT, 4 TT; PR 3-85-1 (71 TD)
Tackles–15 vs. Texas, 2002
Solo Tackles–12 vs. Texas, 2002
TFL–1-6 vs. KU, 2000; 1-3 vs. KSU, 2001; 1-2 vs. MU, 2002; 1-1 vs. OSU
Passes Broken Up–5 at Iowa State, 2000; at Missouri, 2001
Interceptions–Total 8-75-0: 1-0 vs. San Jose St., 2000; 1-40 vs. Notre Dame (career long), 2001; 1-9 vs. Iowa State, 2001; 1-0 vs. Kansas, 2001; 2-5 (career high) vs. Troy State, 2002; 2-21 (career high) vs. Utah State, 2002
Blocked Kicks–1 (41-yard field goal) vs. Rice, 2001
Most Punt Return/Yards-2-155 vs. Troy State, 2002
Long Punt Return/TD–89 yards vs. Missouri, 2002, TD (71 vs. Miami in 2002 Rose Bowl, TD)
Number of Career Punt Returns of 25-Plus Yards-9 total; 4 in 2001; 5 in 2002
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