Roger Craig became the newest Husker inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past weekend, becoming the sixth former NU football player to join the NFL’s most exclusive club.
Craig joins the 2026 class which also includes Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri, as the group was honored all week in Canton, Ohio. On Friday night, the class of 2025 received their Gold Jackets. Craig had an outstanding stint with the Huskers from 1979 to 1982 for legendary coach Tom Osborne. Craig finished his Nebraska career with 2,446 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, finishing his career fourth on the Huskers’ career rushing yards.
As a sophomore in 1980, Craig had 15 rushing touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry. Craig earned All-Big Eight honors in 1981 when he rushed for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns and helped the Huskers to a conference title. Craig finished his career with 586 rushing yards as a senior, helping Nebraska to another Big Eight title and a 12-1 record. For his final two seasons, he shared the Husker backfield with Mike Rozier, who won the 1983 Heisman Trophy.
Craig spent 11 seasons in the NFL from 1983-93, after being a second-round selection by the San Franciso 49ers in 1983. He was the first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards and have 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, doing so in 1985. He also led the NFL in receptions that season with 92. Craig helped the 49ers to three Super Bowl wins and was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 when he rushed for a career-high 1,502 yards. That season, he rushed for 71 yards and had eight receptions for 101 yards in the Super Bowl XXIII win over Cincinnati.
Craig finished his career with the Raiders (1991) and Vikings (1992-93). For his career, he totaled 8,189 rushing yards and 4,911 receiving yards on 566 career catches. At the time of his retirement, Craig’s 8,189 rushing yards ranked 13th all time. He earned Pro Bowl berths four times in five years (1986, 1988-1990), was named a unanimous All-Pro and All-NFC selection in 1988 and was named second team All-Pro or All-NFC in 1985, 1987 and 1989.
