One of a long line of outstanding offensive linemen at Nebraska, Will Shields became the fifth Husker to win the Outland Trophy, capturing the prestigious award following the 1992 season.

A consensus All-American and a Lombardi Award semifinalist as a senior, Shields helped the Huskers win national team rushing titles in three of his four seasons at Nebraska (1989, 1991 and 1992). NU's first scholarship player from the state of Oklahoma, Shields is one of only six Husker linemen to earn all-conference honors for three straight seasons.

Shields’ No. 75 was retired at the 1994 Spring Game, along with Butkus Award winner Trev Alberts' No. 34 and the No. 75 jersey of former Outland Trophy winner Larry Jacobson. The ceremony marked the first time that three jerseys were retired at the same time.

As a senior, Shields received votes for Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year and earned All-America honors from Kodak, AP, UPI, Walter Camp and Football News.

During his in the conference in rushing offense and total offense.

Shields becamjunior campaign, he was a unanimous selection to the All-Big Eight team and a second-team All-American, helping the Huskers rank first e the second Nebraska offensive lineman to play as a true freshman in 1989, appearing in nine games. In his second year, Shields became the first sophomore lineman since College Football Hall of Famer Dave Rimington to earn first-team all-conference honors for NU, helping the Huskers lead the Big Eight in scoring, rushing and total offense.

Following his collegiate career, Shields was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He spent 14 seasons as one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the NFL until retiring after the 2006 season. Shields earned a spot in 11 Pro Bowls and started more than 200 straight games in his brilliant professional career.