LINCOLN, Neb.—Charlie McBride, the often gruff defensive coordinator who oversaw Nebraska’s national champion units in the 1990s, isn’t one to gush. Mention Ndamukong Suh’s name, though, and McBride can’t help himself.
“When I see him play, I think to myself that this is as good as I’ve seen around here,” said McBride, who coached All-Americans such as Neil Smith, Grant Wistrom and Jason Peter. “He’s got all the tools anybody had. You could take a piece of all the guys I had—athleticism, ability to run, stuff like that—and you would have one Ndamukong Suh.”
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive tackle from Portland, Ore., is known as “Big Suh” around the program. He developed into one of the most intimidating linemen in the nation last year and considered turning pro as an underclassmen.
But he liked the environment created by defensive-minded head coach Bo Pelini and chose to come back for some more seasoning.
The Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year already is projected as a potential top-10 pick in next year’s NFL draft, and he leads one of the best front fours in college football.
“They say I’m a marked man now,” Suh said. “I have to continue to be a marked man.”
Suh’s decision to play his senior year should help the Cornhuskers build on a 9-4 year.
Suh became a force the second half of the season, and Nebraska won six of its last seven games. He was the first lineman to lead Nebraska in tackles since 1973. His 76 stops were the most by a lineman since 1992. And he was the Huskers’ first interior defensive lineman to earn first-team all-conference honors since Steve Warren in 1999.
The season opener Saturday against Florida Atlantic and next week’s game against Arkansas State will serve as tuneups before Suh steps into the national spotlight Sept. 19 when the 24th-ranked Huskers play at No. 7 Virginia Tech.
“I’m glad the season is finally here,” Suh said. “I am ready. I’ve always been eager to get back into game situations and get into game week preparations. … When Friday classes are over with, it’s all about football. That is my main focus, to go ahead and take care of business.”
Opponents certainly will be doing their homework on Suh, who anchors a front that includes tackle Jared Crick and talented ends Pierre Allen and Barry Turner.
Trying to go mano a mano with Suh would be a difficult proposition. But double- or triple-teaming him has drawbacks, too.
“If you are double-teaming me or Crick, you have two linebackers that will flow to the ball and hit the hole hard and make plays,” Suh said. “It’s kind of tough. If you’re giving up one thing, then you have to accept another thing.”
Suh flashed his versatility in a number of areas last year.
His 7.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss led the Huskers. He also ran back two interceptions for touchdowns, the first a 49-yarder against San Jose State and a 30-yarder in the final minute to secure a come-from-behind win over Colorado.
He wrapped up the season with eight tackles, two sacks and a blocked field goal against Clemson in the Gator Bowl.
Nebraska even used Suh on offense in goal-line situations the second half of the season—like the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears did with William “Refrigerator” Perry—and he scored against Kansas on a 2-yard pass from Joe Ganz.
Pelini said Suh is just beginning to show what he’s capable of, and Suh agrees.
“Obviously, it’s my last year of playing collegiate football, and it’s coming to a quick end,” Suh said. “I need to make the most of it, and I think this team will make the most of it. We’ve put in a lot of work in the offseason and this fall camp. I think it’s time to go out there, and with all the hard work we’ve put in, to reap some of those benefits.”
Suh will be remembered for his name as much as his accomplishments. Ndamukong, pronounced “En-dom-ah-ken,” means “House of Spears” in the language of the Ngema tribe of Cameroon, the homeland of his father, Michael.
Former coach Bill Callahan made Suh, pronounced “Soo,” the Huskers’ first scholarship recipient from Oregon. Set back by knee problems early in his career, Suh became a starter as a third-year sophomore in 2007.
Now his teammates look to Suh as a leader, and not just on defense.
“He’s not a guy who’s going to be a rah-rah type leader and that’s OK,” Pelini said. “Leadership comes in a lot of different forms.”
Suh said he isn’t one to make speeches, but his actions speak loud and clear on the practice and game fields, according to teammates.
“He’ll get in a lot of fights,” center Jacob Hickman said. “It’s not like bad fights, but frustration, shoving matches, especially him and (offensive lineman) Ricky Henry. It’s a good thing, as long as he doesn’t get a penalty.”
McBride, who retired after the 1999 season, said Suh’s demeanor has changed for the better over the years.
“When he came in, he looked a little bit soft. He didn’t seem to have a lot of fire when he was at practice,” McBride said.
He said Pelini and his brother, defensive coordinator Carl Pelini, have done wonders for Suh.
“If he keeps playing like he is,” McBride said, “he’s going to be right up there with a pocket full of change after he leaves Nebraska.”
