Position: Split End Class: Senior Height: 6-0 Hometown: Lincoln, Neb. Weight: 210 High School: East Career Honors: 2001 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner?s Fall Academic Honor Roll (1999, 2000, 2001) Big 12 Commissioner?s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2001) Noting Klem: A native of Lincoln, Klem was a recruited walk-on who has worked his way up to No. 2 split end on the Nebraska depth chart this season. One of the team?s best blocking receivers, Klem is best remembered for his impact on the 2001 Oklahoma game, in which he had several key blocks against OU All-America safety Roy Williams.

By Shannon Sherman
John Klem leads a busy life these days. The Nebraska senior split end is making plans to graduate in December, and his job hunt is just beginning.

And then there?s the task of helping his fiance, Lidia Sherman, plan their May wedding. Well, there was ...

"I think I pretty much got kicked out of the wedding planning when I thought it was a good idea to send the invitations out by e-mail," Klem said. "My fiance and her mom looked at me like I was an idiot. So now, I still try to do my share, but I mostly try to stay out of the way."

Luckily, Klem has football to pass the extra time. Life remains hectic as the Lincoln East graduate prepares for what he hopes is the best season of his career. A former walk-on, Klem has climbed to No. 2 on the depth chart and has built a reputation as one of Huskers? best blockers at the position.

"Blocking gets me on the field," Klem said. "I just want to help our offense make as many good plays as possible. If I do my job and the offense does it?s job, it makes for some long runs and some long drives."

Klem produced his most memorable block came last season in Nebraska?s 20-10 win over BCS No. 1 Oklahoma. The score was tied at 10-all early in the third quarter, and Nebraska began a drive at its own 36-yard line after Husker defensive back Erwin Swiney intercepted a pass by Oklahoma quarterback Nate Hybl.

Nebraska turned to I-back Thunder Collins on first down, and Klem knocked Oklahoma All-America linebacker Roy Williams down on the play.

"Roy Williams tried to jump over me or something, but he ended up flipping," Klem said.

The block led to a 30-yard run for Collins, which was NU?s longest rushing play of the game.

Klem?s impact on the Oklahoma game illustrates his importance to the Huskers, NU Receivers Coach Ron Brown said.

"I call it the ?John Klem? factor," Brown said. "What I mean by that is, when we put John on the field, you?re just waiting for and anticipating the big block that you know will come.

"I remember last year against Oklahoma, John had a few big blocks against Roy Williams and just dropped him on his head. Those kind of things don?t show up on the stats, but they are essential to a good football team."

Klem?s ability to impact big games wasn?t always so obvious, Brown said. Nebraska coaches invited the Lincoln native to walk on after he posted 46 receptions for 905 yards as a senior in 1997. Klem redshirted the 1998 season at Nebraska and spent most of his time working with the scout team.

Although discouraged, Klem entered spring ball in 1999 determined to earn some playing time.

"When I went into the spring that year, I was listed last on the depth chart," Klem said, "and there are a lot of guys in spring football. Last was like, ninth. But in a couple of days, I was running with the top two units. It was partly because of injuries to other guys, but still, it was an opportunity."

Klem competed in four games that fall, then played in five as a sophomore in 2000, including the Alamo Bowl.

As a junior, Klem played in every game until tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament against Kansas State on Nov. 10, 2001.

At the time of his injury the Huskers owned an 11-0 record.

"The way that we thought it stood, our next three games were going to be the Big 12 North championship, the Big 12 championship, and the national championship, so it was pretty disappointing to get hurt when I did," said Klem, who went on to earn 2001 second-team academic All-Big 12 honors.

Klem returned to the field during the final workouts of the 2002 spring. He has played in every game this season for Nebraska and continues to do everything he can to remain an impact player.

However, competing as a senior has been a bittersweet experience, Klem said.

"There?s a part of me that is ready graduate, get married and move on with my life," Klem said. "There are things I wish I would have done here, but then there?s other things that I?m so glad I had the opportunity to do. So there?s mixed feelings.

"I will definitely always remember what it feels like to play here on Saturdays, though."