Nebraska lineman Nouredin Nouili seeks fresh start after suspension

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nouredin “Nouri” Nouili stood in front of the media on Thursday and read a prewritten statement asking for forgiveness.

The senior Huskers offensive lineman sat out the 2022 season after the NCAA suspended him for a failed drug test.

“Now that I’m back, I promise you and everyone out there that I would rather die on the field than have to watch another minute from the sideline,” he said.

Nouili spent the last year doing everything he could to stay immersed in the program. He was allowed to partake in all team activities, except for actually suiting up and playing in games.

“I’ve been working hard trying to be the best teammate I could be,” Nouili said. “That’s basically all I was doing: working out and being the best teammate.”

Nouili was a guard at Colorado State before transferring to Nebraska. And in 2021, he started in seven games for the Huskers at left guard.

Wearing a smile and excited about the future, Nouili wasn’t sure which position on the line he’ll be playing.

Instead, he’s focused on what this new-look Husker team’s done for him and his fresh start.

“It’s fun to play with everybody again,” he said. “It’s fun to be around everyone.”

Nouili says he’s especially grateful for Matt Rhule and how he’s backed up the offensive line.

Rhule previously said that Nebraska’s O-line is as talented as any he’s seen as a head coach.

Nouili said having that support “means a lot to us.”

“We all love coach Rhule, so I’m really happy that we have somebody like him behind us,” he said.

Read Nouili’s full statement:

“This past year was hard for everyone on this team, for all the coaches that have came and gone, for all the peoples that have watched us, for everyone. This university has given me the opportunity to play at the highest level, and I messed that up. Now that I’m back, I promise you and everyone out there that I would rather die on the field than have to watch another minute from the sideline. I’m giving everything for the ‘N’, and you don’t deserve nothing less. I understand that some people will not like me or disappointed for my mistake. But just know that I will never give up and I will try my absolute best to represent the Nebraska pipeline and that I owe this university nothing less than everything. With that being said, I would like to end that chapter of my life right there. And I understand that you guys have to do your job. But I would like to get past it.”