Topic: Mike Rucker

Michael Dean Rucker (born February 28, 1975 in St. Joseph, Missouri) is a former American football defensive end who played for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League.

Rucker played both sides of the ball in high school, registering 168 tackles as a senior, while catching 15 passes for 300 yards as a wide receiver. He was a two-time all-state lineman, and made the All-America team his senior year. In addition, he also lettered in track & field four years, and was a state champion shot putter. He also earned three letters on the Benton High School basketball team.

Rucker played college football at the University of Nebraska. He redshirted as a true freshman, and then collected his first sack the following season. He was part of the national champion Cornhuskers in 1995 and 1997. As a senior in 1998, he made second-team All-Big 12, despite missing much of the season because of injury. He finished his college days as Nebraska's fourth all-time tackler behind the line of scrimmage, with 40 stops.