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LINCOLN — Lavonte David was right where he was supposed to be: on a football field. The former Husker star of the early 2010s retired in March, drawing the curtains on a decorated 14-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is the first time in a long time that fall rolled around and the linebacker wasn’t preparing to play. Being back in Memorial Stadium for Saturday’s opener against Ohio, a 49-21 Nebraska win, cured his pigskin craving. Even if only for a few hours, and even if it was in a different way. “It’s something I’ve gotta get used to. Obviously, coming out here don’t make it any better,” David said, laughing. “But I definitely enjoyed my career, man, and I’m blessed to be where I am right now.” A three-time all-pro and Super Bowl LV champion, David was honored pregame as part of Nebraska Football’s 2026 Hall of Fame. He was enshrined with Corey Schlesinger, Charles Fryar, Jim Scott, Cory Ross and the late Sam Foltz. People are also reading… Joe Planansky, Kent Pavelka and Frank Solich — a former Tom Osborne assistant and Husker coach who spent his final 16 seasons leading Ohio — received special honors. Saturday was David’s first Husker game since 2013 or 2014, so long he can’t remember. It was worth the wait, he said. David stood at midfield, surrounded by family with 4-year-old daughter Logan in his arms. The 85,577 who braved temps that climbed into the high-90s showered David with love. He received the second-loudest pop of the group. The loudest belonged to Solich — fitting before a game between the teams that defined his five decades on the sidelines. “I got a lot of love throughout my career in the league because they still rooted for me,” David said. “But to actually be here, and to actually feel the love, that was awesome.” After two years at Fort Scott Community College, David transferred to Nebraska and became one of the best Blackshirts of all time. In his first year with the Huskers, he set the program’s single-season record for tackles with 152 to earn All-America honors. He was unanimously voted first-team All-Big 12 and the league’s newcomer of the year. His senior year, David recorded a team-high 133 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5½ sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was a first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten and the inaugural Butkus-Fitzgerald linebacker of the year. David was integral to the Blackshirts’ success after losing Husker legend Ndamukong Suh. He stripped the football from Braxton Miller in the 2011 win over Ohio State, the Huskers’ only victory in nine tries as conference foes. He was part of the team that transitioned NU into the Big Ten, too. His 285 tackles remain fourth in Nebraska history — and he only needed two seasons. David had plenty of memorable moments to reflect on Saturday. Yet asked what stuck with him all these years later, he paused to take a good, long look around. “I remember this,” David said, scanning the Memorial Stadium scene. “The Tunnel Walk, the excitement, the jitters you get walking out that tunnel, then going out there and playing with your teammates, putting it all on the field. That’s what I miss.” For a few hours, he got to relive it. The tunnel, the noise, the nerves and the feeling of being a Husker again. And when he finally took it all in, Memorial felt familiar. Like home. “Everything I thought it would be. Still the same as when I left: Great people, great energy, great atmosphere,” David said. “I’m happy to be back.”