Less than a week before one NFL team makes him a multi-millionaire, former Nebraska football star Ndamukong Suh has already decided on the first thing he'll do with that money.
The standout defensive tackle plans to donate $2 million to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Athletic Department and another $600,000 to the UNL College of Engineering to endow a scholarship.
Suh announced the donation during a timeout in the first quarter of Saturday's Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium in front of a crowd of nearly 78,000 fans.
"This gift is my way to honor teammates, coaches and fans by giving back to a program and university that's given me so much," Suh said in a pre-taped message that was played on the stadium's giant video screen.
According to NU Athletic Director Tom Osborne, it's the largest single gift a former athlete has ever given the athletic department. At Suh's request, the $2 million will be used to renovate the north stadium strength and conditioning center, a place that was vital in his development during his five years in Lincoln.
Suh graduated with a bachelor's degree in construction management from the College of Engineering in December. Chuck Berryman, coordinator for the college's construction management program, taught Suh in two of his courses and wasn't surprised by his decision to give back to the college.
"I was surprised by the size of it," Berryman said. "This is the largest amount I've seen for a student giving back to the college. It's pretty fantastic."
The money Suh will give is meant to be used for out-of-state students, and Suh told reporters Saturday that students from his high school, Grant High in Portland, Ore., will get first preference.
"We've been trying to bring in more out-of-state students, so advertising the scholarship will help the college and the program," Berryman said. "That's something we've been trying to do for eons."
Suh, a Heisman Trophy finalist and the AP National Player of the Year, took a brief break from his preparation for this week's NFL Draft to return to Lincoln on Saturday.
He stood at midfield during the announcement, where he was encircled by his former teammates and joined on the field by Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, Osborne and UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman, among others.
"Suh's a special human being who's obviously meant a lot to this program and accomplished a lot here," Pelini said during his postgame press conference. "I think he's smart enough and mature enough to realize that there are a lot of other people who played a hand in helping him achieve that and put him in the position he's in now."
Suh is expected to be a top-three pick in the first round of the draft, which begins Thursday night in New York City and will be televised by ESPN.
The St. Louis Rams are projected by most to select Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with the first pick in the draft, and Suh will likely be drafted by either the Detroit Lions or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Unlike most top-draft picks who typically spend their signing bonus on a car or a house, Suh will make his donation once he signs his contract with whichever NFL team picks him.
"It just goes to show the type of maturity he has," Pelini said. "He's a tremendous young man whose life is about to change here in about five days. I'm happy for him, and I look forward to watching him play and take his game to another level."
The No. 2 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft, Baylor offensive lineman Jason Smith, signed a five-year, $62 million contract that included $33 million in guaranteed money and a $2.62 million signing bonus.
In addition to the contract he'll sign, Suh already has a sponsorship deal with Nike and could have more on the way following the draft.
MAXOLSON@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
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