Bio

SUMMARY: Nathan Gerry finished his Nebraska career as one the top statistical performers in school history among defensive backs. The South Dakota native was a fixture on the Nebraska defense for each of his four seasons in a Husker uniform, and served as a team captain in both 2015 and 2016.

Gerry ranked in the top two on the team in tackles and interceptions for each of his final three seasons, and earned All-Big Ten honors each year. Gerry completed his Nebraska career with 273 tackles to rank sixth in school history and second among defensive backs. He also totaled 13 interceptions with the Huskers, ranking in a tie for second in the Husker record books.  His 19 career tackles for loss are also the most in Nebraska history by a defensive back.

SENIOR (2016): Gerry started 11 games in his senior season, while missing the season opener and the bowl game. He finished the season with 74 tackles, including 47 solo stops. Gerry also had seven tackles for loss, while intercepting four passes to rank second on the team. He was third for the Huskers with eight pass breakups.

Gerry was a consistent force in the back end of the defense, recording at least five tackles in 10 of the 11 games he played. He had a season-high nine tackles against Oregon and Ohio State and added eight stops at Northwestern and at Indiana.

Gerry earned Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors for his play against Wyoming, when he had seven tackles and a pair of interceptions. He also had two second-half interceptions at Wisconsin, sparking a rally that helped Nebraska force overtime. His four interceptions on the season marked the third straight year Gerry had at least four picks.

Gerry earned numerous accolades for his play. He was a first-team All-American by Pro Football Focus, second-team by USA Today and a third-team AP All-American. At the conference level, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the AP, was a second-team pick by the league media and a third-team selection by the conference coaches.

JUNIOR (2015): Gerry started every game and led the Huskers with 79 tackles, including 49 solo stops, with at least six tackles eight times. He led the team with four interceptions, returning the picks 90 yards. Gerry tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups. 

Gerry opened the year with six tackles and an interception against BYU. His third-quarter interception and 43-yard return set up a Nebraska touchdown. He added his second interception against South Alabama and had nine tackles, a tackle for loss and two breakups at Miami.

Gerry had at least six tackles in each of the first three Big Ten games. He made his third interception of the year at Minnesota, sealing a victory. Gerry had his only sack against Northwestern before closing the regular season in strong fashion. Gerry had at least eight tackles in three straight games, including a season-high 14 against Michigan State. He added two breakups against both the Spartans and Rutgers, and recorded his fourth pick of the year at Rutgers.

SOPHOMORE (2014): Gerry started every game and led the Huskers with five interceptions, all in Big Ten games. His interception total was second in the Big Ten and led the conference in league games. Gerry was second on the team with 88 tackles and had three games with double-figure tackle totals. He added seven tackles for loss, caused two fumbles, had four pass breakups and recovered a fumble.

Gerry was named a second-team All-Big Ten defender by the conference’s media panel, while receiving honorable-mention recognition from the coaches. He was chosen as NU’s co-Defensive MVP as voted by his teammates.

Gerry had a takeaway in six of eight Big Ten games and also reached the end zone on an 85-yard blocked field goal return against Minnesota. He capped the regular season with a career-high 15 tackles and an interception at Iowa to earn Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors.

Gerry opened the year with four tackles, a tackle for loss and forced fumble against FAU. He had a team-high 13 tackles, a pair of tackles for loss, and a breakup against McNeese State. Gerry had five tackles and his first career interception against Illinois, returning the pick 54 yards to set up a score.

Gerry recorded an interception in three straight games against Northwestern, Rutgers and Purdue. He had nine tackles, including seven solo stops, at Wisconsin and also forced and recovered a fumble against the Badgers. Gerry had 11 tackles against Minnesota in addition to his touchdown return. His fifth interception came at Iowa, ending a Hawkeye scoring threat in the first quarter. Ten of his 15 tackles were solo stops, and he had a career-high three TFL.

FRESHMAN (2013): Gerry saw action in every game, making starts at linebacker against Southern Miss, UCLA and South Dakota State. Gerry had 32 tackles, including 18 solo stops. He added two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.

Gerry made five tackles in the season opener against Wyoming, then had a season-high seven tackles against UCLA, when he produced his first career tackle for loss. He had four tackles each against Purdue and Minnesota. Gerry led the Huskers with seven tackles on special teams.

HIGH SCHOOL: Gerry was Nebraska’s first scholarship signee from South Dakota since 2003, and just the Huskers’ third signee from the state since 1997. Gerry’s play helped Washington High and Coach Brian Hermanson to a 48-3 record and three state championships over four years.

In 2012, Sioux Falls Washington posted a perfect 12-0 record and outscored its opponents by a combined score of 549-81. Gerry made 64 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss, and added eight pass breakups, five interceptions and also forced two fumbles. He played running back and receiver on offense and accounted for 1,216 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. Gerry also handled the kicking and punting chores as a senior. Gerry was a first-team Class 11AA all-state selection as a receiver for his play in 2012.

Gerry was also a two-way starter as a junior when Washington posted a 10-3 record and was the state runner-up. Gerry made 73 tackles, with two sacks and three interceptions, while adding 37 receptions for 647 yards and eight touchdowns as a receiver.

Gerry was also a track standout at Washington High. He won his second straight 200-meter state title as a senior in 2013. He also won the 100 meters as a senior, after finishing second as a junior. Gerry set the state record in the 200 meters with a time of 21.52. Gerry was regarded as one of the top 50 athlete prospects in the country. He only visited Nebraska, but had offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota and Arizona State.

PERSONAL:Gerry was born on Feb. 23, 1995, and is the son of Brian and Kelli Gerry. Nathan is majoring in sociology and is on track to graduate in May of 2017. He has volunteered his time with team hospital visits, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Uplifting Athletes.