Nebraska has always had a long history of being one of the premier pipelines to the National Football League. There have been 370 overall draft selections dating back to 1936, including the first overall pick in 1982 with wide receiver Irving Fryar heading to New England.
However, the one position that the Huskers have failed to produce a star at the next level is arguably the most important: quarterback.
The last quarterback from Nebraska to be drafted was Tanner Lee by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018. The second most recent quarterback drafted in 1998 to the New York Jets was Scott Frost. The irony is that shortly after being drafted, Frost converted to a safety and never played quarterback at the professional level.
Two other former quarterbacks, 2001 Heisman winner Eric Crouch and 2002-2003 starter Jammal Lord, were drafted. Crouch was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2002 as a wide receiver, but was forced to medically retire in 2003 after a gruesome leg injury. He never saw the field. Lord was drafted in the sixth round and converted to a safety for the Houston Texans, and played in one game in his rookie year. He was waived after his second year, and never made it back to the NFL.
Arguably, two of the greatest quarterbacks in all of Husker history, Tommie Fraizer and Tommy Armstrong Jr., never even heard their names called. Frazier signed with the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes, but was forced to medically retire due to blood clots before he could show off his talent.
Armstrong went down the path of switching to a wide receiver before the combine in hopes of continuing his football career. Armstrong never got an invite to the combine and had to switch to running back and then safety to get a chance with the Minnesota Vikings, but never made it past training camp.
The other 2010s quarterback that shone was Taylor Martinez. The three-star wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school, but set multiple Nebraska records, including throwing the most passing yards in school history by the time he graduated in 2012. However, even then, it wasn’t enough, as he went undrafted. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and planned to convert to wide receiver or defensive back, but was ultimately cut after failing a physical.
However, two quarterbacks found their way into the NFL and carved out a role for themselves at the same time.
In 1974, a young kid from Cal transferred to Nebraska after two years with the Golden Bears. That kid was Vince Ferragamo, the most successful Husker quarterback at the NFL level.
Drafted 91st overall to the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, Ferragamo wasn’t expected to do much in the NFL, as he would sit behind future Hall of Famer Joe Namath and his backup Pat Haden. By 1979, Namath was gone and Haden broke his finger, leaving Ferragamo as the team’s starting quarterback. In relief, Ferragamo went 5-3 and led the Rams to a 9-7 record, just enough to win the NFC West and be the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
Ferragamo and the Rams then upset the 12-4 Dallas Cowboys on the road in the divisional round, 21-19. Then in the NFC championship game, LA’s defense kept the 10-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers scoreless, and won 9-0. The Cinderella story came to an end in Super Bowl XIV, as the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” beat Ferragamo and the Rams 31-19.
Ferragamo’s playoff run was not impressive statistically (52.2% completion percentage, 585 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions), which goes to show how badly Nebraska has struggled at the position.
Ferragamo left for the Alouettes following the 1980 season, but came back in 1982 and spent three more seasons in LA. He then went to the Buffalo Bills in 1985, where he played in 10 games, starting in nine, posting a 2-8 record. He then went to Green Bay in 1986, not starting a game and going 0-3 when making an appearance.
Ferragamo went 27-26 as a starter in the NFL, with his best year being 1980, when he threw for 3,199 yards, 30 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and completed 59.4% of his passes.
The last former Husker quarterback to throw a pass was Bruce Mathison, who played as a career backup from 1983-1987, spending the majority of his career with the San Diego Chargers. Mathison went 2-7 as a starter and completed his last pass in 1987 as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in a 37-14 win over the Detroit Lions. His final stat line as a pro saw him go 1-2 with eight passing yards.
But things may finally be looking up for Nebraska. While he may have transferred to Kansas State in 2021, many fans consider Adrian Martinez a Husker and not a Wildcat, and he almost became the first quarterback since Mathison in 1987 to start a game.
He currently is the backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and with starting quarterback Mac Jones questionable for their week six matchup against the Bucs, there was a possibility that Martinez would get the nod. Unfortunately, he did not play, but both Jones and week one starter Brock Purdy have had injury issues this year, and could see the first former Husker under center in almost 40 years.
However, there is one quarterback who is a shoo-in to break the streak: Dylan Raiola. One of the highest-rated quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class. In way-too-early mock drafts, Raiola is not only a first round pick, but a top-15 selection as well. Scouts love his frame and his mind, as he has learned from Patrick Mahomes and his godfather, Matthew Stafford, both Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
Waiting in the wings is T.J. Lateef, who has impressed in his limited action this year. Lateef is smaller but more mobile, and can sling the ball as far as anyone. In the class of 2026, Dylan’s younger brother, Dayton, is a three-star quarterback who has molded his game similarly to his older brother.
But the combination of all of these quarterbacks is the class of 2027 signal caller Trae Taylor. The fringe five-star has thrown for 27 touchdowns and had six touchdowns in a 70-7 win three weeks ago.
The future looks bright for Husker quarterbacks, something that can bring Nebraska back to national relevance.
GALLERY: Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 1
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball into the end zone during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 2
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball during the first quarter of the game against Michigan State at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 3
Updated Oct 14, 2025
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 4
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska fans release balloons to celebrate the first touchdown against Michigan State during the first half of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 5
Oct. 4, 2025
Caden Connelly, Claire Kelly and Ava Hollingsworth (left to right) pose for a photo after being crowned homecoming royalty during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 6
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Dasan McCullough (15) sacks Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles (2) during the second quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 7
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Jacory Barney Jr. (2) runs the ball during the third quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 8
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska takes down Michigan State during the second quarter of the game against Michigan State at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 9
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (21) is tackled by during the third quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 10
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Jamir Conn (13) sacks Michigan State’s Ryan Eckley (96) during the first half of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 11
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball into the end zone during the third quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 12
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (29) scores a touchdown during the first half of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 13
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s John Hohl (90) kicks the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 14
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 15
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Jacory Barney Jr. (2) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 16
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton (8) catches the ball during the second half of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 17
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Kade Pietrzak (93) punts the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 18
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Nyziah Hunter (13) attempts to catch the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 19
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Nyziah Hunter (13) runs the ball into the end zone without one of his cleats during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 20
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Andrew Marshall (10) tackles Michigan State during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 21
Updated 7 hrs ago
Nebraska’s Nyziah Hunter (13) runs the ball into the end zone without one of his cleats during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 22
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Nyziah Hunter (13) celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 23
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Nyziah Hunter (13) runs the ball into the end zone without one of his cleats during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 24
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska wrestles for the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 25
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska and Michigan State players huddle for a group prayer after the game in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.
Nebraska Football vs. Michigan State Photo No. 26
Oct. 4, 2025
Nebraska’s Luke Lindenmeyer (44) runs the ball during the first quarter of the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Lincoln.