Five Huskers Earn Annual Senior Awards
Five Nebraska football seniors have been named winners of 2025 team awards. The group will formally receive their awards as part of the Outland Trophy banquet in Omaha on Jan. 21.
Four of the winners have spent at least four years in the Nebraska program, and all five recipients have earned their college degree. Defensive backs DeShon Singleton and Ceyair Wright were chosen as the co-winners of the Guy Chamberlin Trophy, linebacker Javin Wright was selected as the winner of the Tom Novak Award, tight end Heinrich Haarberg earned the Cletus Fischer Native Son Award and defensive back Derek Branch was selected for The Cornhusker Award.
The Chamberlin and Novak awards were chosen by a vote of media members who regularly cover the Nebraska program, while the Native Son and the Cornhusker winners were chosen by the Husker coaching staff.
Singleton has spent four years in the Husker program and anchored one of the Big Ten’s best secondaries in 2025. Singleton was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection this season, ranking second on the team with 70 tackles. He also had two interceptions, four tackles for loss and a sack. Singleton has 163 tackles in his Husker career.
Ceyair Wright has spent the past two seasons in a Nebraska uniform and has been a versatile performer in the secondary. Wright split time between cornerback and nickel back this season and had 25 tackles and five passes broken up. He earned honorable-mention all-conference honors, and helped Nebraska feature one of the nation’s top pass defenses.
Javin Wright has spent seven seasons in the Nebraska program and will conclude his career in the Las Vegas Bowl. Wright leads the 2025 defense with 83 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. His play earned Wright honorable-mention All-Big Ten accolades this fall. Wright has 177 career tackles despite battling injuries and medical conditions throughout his career.
A Kearney native, Haarberg has spent five years in the Nebraska program. He was a quarterback for his first four years, including starting eight games in 2023 and leading NU to a 5-3 record. This season, Haarberg moved to tight end and has eight catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Haarberg is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
A Lincoln native, Derek Branch has spent five years as a walk-on in the Nebraska program. Branch has been a key special teams performer for the Huskers this season, helping NU’s special teams units rank among the best in the nation. Branch is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and is one of Nebraska’s most active players in community outreach.
Guy Chamberlin Trophy (voted by media): DeShon Singleton, S and Ceyair Wright, CB/Nickel
The Guy Chamberlin Trophy dates back to 1967 and is presented to the senior player who has shown by his play and contributions to the betterment of the Nebraska football team that he has the qualities and dedication of Chamberlin to the Cornhusker tradition.
Tom Novak Award (voted by media): Javin Wright, LB
Established in 1950, the Novak Award is presented to the senior who "best exemplifies courage and determination despite all odds in the manner of Nebraska All-America center Tom Novak."
Cletus Fischer Native Son Award (chosen by coaching staff): Heinrich Haarberg, TE
The Native Son Award is named in honor of former Nebraska assistant coach Cletus Fischer. Chosen by the coaching staff, the Native Son Award is presented to the senior player who best exemplifies the following qualities—good work ethic, competitiveness, leadership, forthrightness, sense of humor, pride, loyalty and love of Nebraska.
The Cornhusker (chosen by coaching staff): Derek Branch, Safety
The Cornhusker is presented to a player who started their Nebraska career as a walk-on and made the largest contribution to the team in their last season of eligibility.