Best NFL players born in Nebraska
Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL's greatest talents trace their roots back to Nebraska.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Nebraska. Players were ranked by weighted career approximate value (AV), a metric developed by Pro Football Reference that measures overall career impact. Data is as of the start of the 2025 NFL season.
This list highlights players who made their mark on the league—some remembered for their longevity, others for their peak dominance. Read on to see which football stars born in Nebraska have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#47. Bob Hohn (DB) (tie)
- City: Beatrice
- Years played: 1965-1969 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 46
- Weighted career value: 17
#47. Keenan Robinson (OLB) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 2012-2017 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 58
- Weighted career value: 17
#47. Lee Riley (DB) (tie)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 1955-1962 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 17
#47. Stan Campbell (G) (tie)
- City: Hastings
- Years played: 1952-1962 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 92
- Weighted career value: 17
#44. Brian Blankenship (G) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1987-1991 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 61
- Weighted career value: 18
#44. Chris Bober (C) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 2001-2006 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 91
- Weighted career value: 18
#44. Lynn Boden (G) (tie)
- City: Stromburg
- Years played: 1975-1979 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 67
- Weighted career value: 18
#42. Junior Bryant (DT) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1995-2000 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 19
#42. Randy McClanahan (RILB) (tie)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 1977-1982 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 61
- Weighted career value: 19
#39. Breece Hall (RB) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 2022-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 40
- Weighted career value: 20
#39. Danny Noonan (DT) (tie)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 1987-1992 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 73
- Weighted career value: 20
#39. Isaiah Simmons (OLB) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 2020-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 84
- Weighted career value: 20
#37. Chris Dishman (G) (tie)
- City: Cozad
- Years played: 1997-2004 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 21
#37. Shawn Bouwens (G) (tie)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 1991-1995 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 73
- Weighted career value: 21
#34. Adam Carriker (DE) (tie)
- City: Hastings
- Years played: 2007-2012 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 65
- Weighted career value: 22
#34. Jim Skow (DE) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1986-1992 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 22
#34. Spencer Long (G) (tie)
- City: Elkhorn
- Years played: 2014-2019 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 67
- Weighted career value: 22
#33. Dan Carpenter (K)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 2008-2016
- Games played: 140
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 23
#31. Noah Fant (TE) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 2019-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 95
- Weighted career value: 24
#31. Phil Wise (DB) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1971-1979 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 92
- Weighted career value: 24
#30. Sam Koch (P)
- City: York
- Years played: 2006-2021
- Games played: 256
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 25
#29. Adam Treu (C)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 1997-2006 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 155
- Weighted career value: 26
#27. Chris Singleton (LLB) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1990-1996 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 90
- Weighted career value: 27
#27. Russ Hochstein (C) (tie)
- City: Hartington
- Years played: 2002-2012
- Games played: 149
- Weighted career value: 27
#26. John Kirby (RLB)
- City: David City
- Years played: 1964-1970 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 94
- Weighted career value: 28
#24. George Andrews (LB) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1979-1984 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 80
- Weighted career value: 29
#24. Greg Zuerlein (K) (tie)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 2012-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 192
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 29
#23. Harrison Phillips (DT)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 2018-2024 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 96
- Weighted career value: 30
#22. Gene Williams (G)
- City: Blair
- Years played: 1991-1999 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Weighted career value: 31
#21. Dean Steinkuhler (T)
- City: Burr
- Years played: 1984-1991 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 100
- Weighted career value: 36
#20. Danny Woodhead (RB)
- City: North Platte
- Years played: 2009-2017
- Games played: 101
- Weighted career value: 38
#19. Dave Rimington (C)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1983-1989 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 86
- Weighted career value: 39
#18. Tom Rathman (RB)
- City: Grand Island
- Years played: 1986-1994 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 131
- Weighted career value: 40
#16. Barrett Ruud (LB) (tie)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 2005-2012 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 116
- Weighted career value: 41
#16. Scott Shanle (LB) (tie)
- City: Genoa
- Years played: 2003-2012 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 133
- Weighted career value: 41
#14. Cody Whitehair (G) (tie)
- City: Kearney
- Years played: 2016-2024 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 136
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 43
#14. Kent McCloughan (DB) (tie)
- City: Scottsbluff
- Years played: 1965-1970 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 67
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 2
- Weighted career value: 43
#13. LaVerne Torczon (DE)
- City: Platte Center
- Years played: 1960-1966 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 44
#11. Brian Holloway (T) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1981-1988 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 102
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- Weighted career value: 45
#11. Ed Husmann (DT) (tie)
- City: Schuyler
- Years played: 1953-1965 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 142
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 45
#9. Chris Kelsay (DE) (tie)
- City: Auburn
- Years played: 2003-2012 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 147
- Weighted career value: 46
#9. Ray Hamilton (NT) (tie)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1973-1981 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Weighted career value: 46
#8. Jeromey Clary (T)
- City: Norfolk
- Years played: 2007-2013 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 103
- Weighted career value: 47
#7. Zach Wiegert (G)
- City: Fremont
- Years played: 1995-2006 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 145
- Weighted career value: 49
#6. Austin Ekeler (RB)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 2017-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 115
- Weighted career value: 57
#5. Doug Betters (DE)
- City: Lincoln
- Years played: 1978-1987 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 146
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 61
#4. Randy Rasmussen (G)
- City: St. Paul
- Years played: 1967-1981 (15 years as starter)
- Games played: 207
- Weighted career value: 68
#3. Ahman Green (RB)
- City: Omaha
- Years played: 1998-2009 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 148
- Pro Bowl selections: 4
- Weighted career value: 83
#2. Pat Fischer (DB)
- City: St. Edward
- Years played: 1961-1977 (14 years as starter)
- Games played: 213
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 85
#1. Mick Tingelhoff (C)
- City: Lexington
- Years played: 1962-1978 (17 years as starter)
- Games played: 240
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 103
