Daimion Stafford, SS

Stafford was a standout in the Nebraska secondary for his two seasons in Lincoln in 2011 and 2012. Stafford and fellow senior P.J. Smith manned the starting safety spots for all 14 games in 2012, and Stafford started 26 of 27 games in his NU career. The 6-1, 205-pound Stafford was second on the team with 96 tackles, including 51 solo stops. He added four tackles for loss and a sack. Stafford made at least seven tackles in 10 of 14 games, including a season-high 11 stops at Michigan State. Stafford racked up 176 tackles in his two seasons at Nebraska, the fourth-best total in school history among two-year players.

Stafford had a knack for finding the football in 2012. He had a team-high four interceptions, all in Big Ten play, and led the league in interceptions in conference action. He also had seven pass breakups, while forcing two fumbles and recovering two others.

The play of Stafford helped Nebraska lead the nation in opponent pass completion percentage, while ranking in the top 10 in pass efficiency defense and passing yards allowed. For his play in 2012, Stafford earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the Big Ten media panel and second-team recognition from the coaches.

Southern Miss: Totaled eight tackles to tie Baker Steinkuhler for the second most tackles behind Will Compton's team-high 12 stops... produced a team-high five solo stops. UCLA: Tied P.J. Smith and Cameron Meredith for second on the team with eight total tackles... produced a career-high seven solo stops, bettering his previous high of six... recovered a fumble that was forced by Jason Ankrah... accounted for two of the Huskers' eight pass breakups. Arkansas State: Went over 100 career tackles against the Red Wolves with seven total stops... seven tackles ranked second on the team... added one pass breakup to help hold ASU to 138 yards through the air. Idaho State: Recorded just one tackle on the day in limited time, as the Blackshirts shut out Idaho State for the first three quarters. Wisconsin: Tied for third on the team in tackles with eight, including four solo stops... registered his only sack of the season, a 16-yard loss in the fourth quarter on second down with Nebraska up, 30-27... notched his fourth pass breakup of the season.

Ohio State: Totaled seven tackles, including five solo stops... forced a fumble by Buckeye running back Carlos Hyde at the NU 20-yard line in the second quarter that was recovered by Thad Randle. Northwestern: Tied P.J. Smith for the team lead in tackles with eight, including five solo stops... helped hold the Wildcats to 121 yards passing. Michigan: Produced his first career interception, as he helped lead a defensive backfield that totaled three interceptions... registered six tackles, including three solo stops... notched one TFL for two yards. Michigan State: Recorded double-digit tackles of the first time in his career with 11 stops, tying Will Compton for second on the team... forced a fumble by Le'Veon Bell in the third quarter that was recovered by Compton... helped hold MSU to 123 yards passing. Penn State: Recorded a third-quarter interception that he returned to the Penn State 4-yard line to set up a touchdown... also recovered a fumble in the end zone forced by David Santos late in the fourth to stop a potential go-ahead score by the Nittany Lions... finished the game with eight tackles and one pass breakup.

Minnesota: Tied for fourth on the team with four tackles... recorded a third-quarter interception for his third interception. Iowa: Had a third-quarter interception, good for his team-leading fourth interception of the season... marked his third straight game with an interception and his fourth pick in five games... added a pass break-up to help hold James Vandenberg to 92 yards passing. Wisconsin (Big Ten Championship): Notched six tackles, including five solo stops... accounted for one of NU's three TFLs. Georgia (Capital One Bowl): Tied for second on the team with seven tackles, including four solo stops... increased his season tackle total to 96, including a team-leading 51 solo stops.

Stafford racked up 80 tackles to rank third on the team and tops among defensive backs. Stafford had 46 solo stops and a team-high 10 pass breakups, along with three tackles for loss and a half sack. Stafford recorded at least five tackles in 11 of 13 games, including a season-high 11 tackles in his first career start against Fresno State.

Stafford made his presence known in the opener with six tackles, including five solo stops, a tackle for loss and forced a fumble on Chattanooga's Chris Awuah with a jarring hit in the third quarter. His play earned Stafford the start the following week against Fresno State and he responded with his 11-tackle effort. He led Nebraska with nine tackles, including six solo stops against Washington, and added three tackles and two breakups at Wyoming.

Stafford led NU with nine tackles at Wisconsin, then rsponded with six tackles and a pass breakup in a 34-27 comeback win over Ohio State. Stafford played a key role in Nebraska's 24-3 win over No. 9 Michigan State, totaling five tackles and a season-high three pass breakups. He had five tackles each against Northwestern and Penn State, then had seven stops, including two tackles for loss, at Michigan. He had five tackles each against Iowa and South Carolina to close the season and also had a breakup in each of those games.

Stafford played his high school football at Norco High in California, where he was a standout for Coach Todd Gerhart, the father of Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart. Stafford went to school early in high school with Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez, who spent his freshman and sophomore years at Norco High. Stafford was widely recruited, turning down offers from USC, Florida and Iowa State among others.

Daimion was born on Feb. 18, 1991, and he is the son of La Tanya Henderson. Stafford is majoring in sociology. He has volunteered his time with local hospital visits.