All-Decade Team

As 2009 is coming to an end, there have been considerable amounts of All-Decade lists. I decided to look at the Nebraska teams of the 2000's and come up with the Nebraska All-Decade Team. Here's what I got:

Offense

*Quarterback: Eric Crouch (1998-2001)
Although he only played 2 seasons in the new millennium, in 2000 and 2001, he led the Cornhuskers to a 21-4 record as QB (35-7 total), including a National Championship berth. He received the Heisman in 2001, along with the Walter Camp and Davey O'Brien Award. He finished his senior season with over 1,000 rushing and passing each, and 25 total TDs. He finished his career with 7,915 total yards.
Honorable Mention: Joe Ganz, Zac Taylor

*I-back: Dahrran Diedrick (1999-2002)
Since the turn of the century, the Huskers have turned to more of a run-by-committee offense. Dahrran Diedrick racked up 2,523 yards from 2000 to 2003, and 24 touchdowns. He did all of this while splitting a lot of carries with quarterbacks (Eric Crouch and Jammal Lord).
Honorable Mention: Cory Ross, Brandon Jackson, Marlon Lucky

*Fullback: Judd Davies (2000-2003)
Davies led the way for some great Nebraska rushers, such as Dan Alexander, Dahrran Diedrick, Cory Ross, and Josh Davis, as long with quarterbacks Eric Crouch and Jammal Lord. Davies totaled 703 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. He was an academic All-American as well.

*Wide Receiver: Nate Swift (2005-2008)
Swift led his team in receptions and yards two of his four seasons. In his senior season, he had 63 catches for 941 yards and 10 TDs. His career numbers were 166 catches for 2,476 yards and 22 TDs. He was also an explosive punt returner, including a huge TD vs. Virginia Tech as a senior

*Wide Receiver: Maurice Purify (2006-2007)
Purify was JC Transfer, but in just two years, he had 1,444 yards and 16 TD grabs. His defining moment was a fade route catch from Zac Taylor to solidify a Nebraska comeback-from-behind victory to put them in the 2006 Big 12 Championship game. He currently plays for the CIncinnati Bengals
Honorable Mention: Todd Peterson, Wilson Thomas

*Tight End: Matt Herian (2002-2004, 2006)
Herian had a promising early career, where he led the team in catches, yards, and touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. Unfortunately, he broke his leg and was forced to miss the 2005 season. He amassed a total of 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in his four years of playing.
Honorable Mention: Tracy Winstrom, Mike McNeill

*Offensive Tackle: Matt Slauson (2005-2008)
Slauson played both tackle and guard for the Huskers. He played two years at each position, and ended up being drafted by the New York Jets in the 2009 NFL Draft.

*Offensive Guard: Toniu Finoti (1998-2001)
Finoti finished with a career record of 379 pancakes and was an Outland Trophy finalist in 2001. He was drafted in the second round by the San Diego Chargers
Honorable Mention: Carl Nicks

*Center: Dominic Raiola (1997-2000)
He became the first freshman starter since 1991 and centered some great run-happy offenses. He was selected as an All-American in 2000.
Honorable Mention: Jacob Hickman

*Offensive Guard: Russ Hochstein (1997-2000)
Hochstein is another multiple-position offensive lineman. He showed his versatility at Nebraska and in the NFL, as he played all 3 OL positions for multiple clubs, including the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots.

*Offensive Tackle: Lydon Murtha (2005-2008)
Murtha started his final two seasons at Nebraska and was the main protector of quarterbacks Sam Keller and Joe Ganz. He was also drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Defense

Defensive End: Adam Carricker (2003-2006)
In four years, Carricker totaled 134 tackles in four seasons, despite multiple ankle injuries. He also had 20 career sacks. As a blackshirt, he was selected Defensive MVP of the Huskers two consecutive seasons, and was honored as Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and a First-Team selection.

Defensive Tackle: Ndamukong Suh (2006-2009)
Suh came on defensively his junior and senior season, leading his team in tackles both seasons. Suh had 76 tackles his junior season and 82 tackles his senior season (not including the Holiday Bowl game). He also finished with 12 sacks, including 4.5 in the Big 12 Championship Game. Suh won the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, Bill Willis Trophy, Outland Trophy, and Chuck Bednarik Award. He also finished 4th in the Heisman race.

Defensive Tackle: Le Kevin Smith (2002-2005)
Smith finished his career with 161 tackles including 34 for a loss, which was (at the time) second most in Nebraska history for a defensive lineman. He had 9 sacks, an INT, and 3 blocked kicks.
Honorable Mention: Ryon Bingham

Defensive End: Chris Kelsay (1999-2002)
In his 3 seasons of the decade (2000, 2001, and 2002), Kelsay had 118 tackles and 12.5 sacks. He was a two-time 2nd Team All-Big 12 pick and was drafted in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Honorable Mention: Barry Turner, Pierre Allen, Zach Potter

Linebacker: Barrett Ruud (2001-2004)
In four seasons, Ruud had an amazing 432 tackles. He led (or tied) his team in tackles 3 of the 4 years he played. He was honorable mention, 3rd team, and a 1st team All-Big 12 Selection, as well as 3rd team All-America. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Linebacker: Stewart Bradley (2003-2006)
Bradley amassed 175 tackles, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles, and an INT for a touchdown in a career where he started for 3 seasons.

Linebacker: Corey McKeon (2004-2007)
McKeon only saw significant action in 3 of his 4 seasons as a Husker but still notched 240 total tackles. He led 2005 Huskers in tackles and was in the top 3 in tackles his junior and season seasons. He also had 4 career INTs, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries
Honorable Mention: Bo Ruud, Carlos Polk, Phillip Dillard, Randy Stella

Cornerback: Fabian Washington (2002-2004)
As a 3 year starter, he totaled 137 tackles, 11 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles. Washington was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round after leaving Nebraska early.

Safety: Josh Bullocks (2002-2004)
Bullocks had 151 tackles in just 28 games, including 13 INT (an astounding 10 in 2003). He was a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2003 as well.

Safety: Daniel Bullocks (2002-2005)
In his four years, Daniel (Josh's twin brother) has 226 tackles and was a senior co-captain in 2005. He started 22 games and had 8 INTs. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
Honorable Mention: Larry Asante, Demorrio Williams

Cornerback: Keyeo Craver (1998-2001)
In the two seasons of this decade, Craver had 116 tackles (finishing in the top 4 both seasons). He also had 3 INTs, a forced fumble, and 2.5 sacks. He has spent time in the NFL and CFL.
Honorable Mention: DeJuan Groce

Special Teams

Place Kicker: Josh Brown (1999-2002)
Brown is currently 3rd in scoring in Nebraska history (behind his brother Kris and Eric Crouch). He was a 1st team All-Big 12 Selection his senior season where he was 14-18 on FGs and perfect on PATs.
Honorable Mention: Alex Henery

Punter: Kyle Larson (2000-2003)
After walking on and redshirting, Larson went on to start for 3 years, where he was named an All-American by AFCA. In 2003, he set a Nebraska record by averaging 45.1 yds on 66 punts (although it was later broken).
Honorable Mention: Sam Koch

Kick/Punt Returner: DeJuan Groce (1999-2002)
Groce played cornerback for the Huskers and returned kicks. In 2002, he had 4 punt return touchdowns, including an 89-yarder. He averaged 17.0 yards a return. He also had a punt return for a touchdown his junior season.
Honorable Mention: Nate Swift