Five Nebraska seniors have been recognized with team honors for the 2025 season, a fitting tribute to a group that’s left its mark on the program both on and off the field. The awards will be formally presented at the Outland Trophy banquet in Omaha on January 21, but the impact of these players has already been felt across Memorial Stadium and beyond.
Let’s break down what each of these awards means-and more importantly, what these players did to earn them.
Guy Chamberlin Trophy: DeShon Singleton and Ceyair Wright
Named after one of the most legendary figures in Nebraska football history, the Guy Chamberlin Trophy is all about embodying the spirit of the program-toughness, leadership, and a relentless drive to make the team better. This year, the honor is shared by two defensive backs who helped anchor one of the Big Ten’s most formidable secondaries.
DeShon Singleton, a four-year veteran of the Husker program, was a steady force at safety all season long. He racked up 70 tackles-second most on the team-while also adding two interceptions, four tackles for loss, and a sack.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed, earning him All-Big Ten honorable mention. With 163 career tackles, Singleton leaves behind a legacy of consistency and leadership in the back end of the defense.
Ceyair Wright, in just his second season in Lincoln, proved to be one of the most versatile pieces in the secondary. Whether lining up at corner or sliding into the nickel spot, Wright brought energy and adaptability to a defense that thrived against the pass.
He logged 25 tackles and broke up five passes, earning his own honorable mention nod from the conference. His ability to adjust week to week made him a critical part of a unit that was among the nation’s best in pass defense.
Tom Novak Award: Javin Wright
The Tom Novak Award is all about perseverance-grit through adversity, and the kind of internal toughness that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. For Javin Wright, this one hits home.
Wright has been with the program for seven years, a journey marked by injuries and medical hurdles that might have ended other careers. But he kept showing up, kept grinding, and in 2025, he delivered his best season yet.
He led the team with 83 tackles and added 7.5 tackles for loss, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Wright’s story is one of quiet resilience, and this award is a testament to everything he’s poured into the program.
Cletus Fischer Native Son Award: Heinrich Haarberg
The Native Son Award goes to a Nebraska-born player who embodies the values that define Husker football-work ethic, leadership, pride, and a deep love for the state. Few fit that mold better than Heinrich Haarberg.
The Kearney native has worn a lot of hats during his five years in Lincoln. He was a quarterback for four seasons, starting eight games in 2023 and helping lead the Huskers to a 5-3 mark.
But in 2025, he made the selfless switch to tight end, embracing a new role for the good of the team. He caught eight passes for 52 yards and a touchdown-not eye-popping numbers, but a reflection of his willingness to do whatever was asked.
Off the field, Haarberg’s been just as impressive, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors four times.
The Cornhusker Award: Derek Branch
The Cornhusker Award is reserved for a player who started as a walk-on and finished as a key contributor. And Derek Branch fits that bill to a T.
A Lincoln native, Branch spent five years grinding behind the scenes before emerging as a standout on special teams in 2025. His efforts helped Nebraska field one of the top special teams units in the country-an area that often flies under the radar but can swing games in a heartbeat.
Like Haarberg, Branch is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He’s also been a leader in community outreach, showing that his impact extends well beyond the field.
A Legacy of Leadership
All five of these players have earned their college degrees. Four have spent at least four years in the program. And every one of them has left Nebraska football better than they found it.
These awards aren’t just about stats or highlight reels-they’re about character, commitment, and the kind of leadership that builds a winning culture. As the Huskers look ahead to the Las Vegas Bowl and beyond, they’ll be doing so with the foundation these seniors helped lay.
This group may be moving on, but their imprint on the program will last for years to come.