Ndamukong Suh's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 13, 2025

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Ndamukong Suh. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Ndamukong Suh is a former American professional football defensive tackle. He was a unanimous All-American at the University of Nebraska before being drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2010. Suh played 13 seasons in the NFL, also playing for the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles. He reached the Super Bowl three times, with the Rams (LIII), Buccaneers (LV), and Eagles (LVII).

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2004: District Shot Put Champion

In 2004, Ndamukong Suh was the district shot put champion.

2004: All-PIL Honors

In 2004, as a junior at Grant High School, Suh earned first-team All-PIL honors on both offense and defense.

2005: OSAA Shot Put Title

In 2005, Ndamukong Suh won the OSAA Class 4A shot put title with a school-record throw of 18.71 meters.

2005: All-America Honors

In 2005, as a senior, Ndamukong Suh earned Parade magazine high school All-America honors and was named the 2004 Portland Interscholastic League Defensive Player of the Year.

2006: Freshman All-Big 12 Honors

In 2006, Suh played in all 14 games as a backup defensive lineman and earned freshman All-Big 12 honors from The Sporting News.

2008: First-team All-Big 12 Honors

In 2008, as a junior, Ndamukong Suh recorded a team-high 76 tackles and earned First-team All-Big 12 honors.

October 2009: Midseason All-American Team Selection

In October 2009, Ndamukong Suh was named to The Sporting News and CBS Sports midseason All-American team.

December 7, 2009: Bronko Nagurski Trophy Winner

On December 7, 2009, Ndamukong Suh was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was named the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as the top defensive player in the nation.

2009: Earning All-American Honors

In 2009, Ndamukong Suh earned unanimous All-American honors while playing college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

2009: Big 12 Championship Game MVP

In 2009, Ndamukong Suh registered 85 tackles and received game MVP honors for his performance in the Big 12 Championship Game against the Texas Longhorns, despite a 13–12 loss. He also earned unanimous first-team All-Big 12 honors and the Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Suh was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, and received the Bill Willis Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, and Outland Trophy. He was also recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.

2010: Led in Sacks

During the 2010 NFL season, Suh led the Lions, all rookies, and all defensive tackles in sacks with 10.

2010: Defensive Rookie of the Year

In 2010, during his time with the Lions, Suh was selected to four All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams and was awarded Defensive Rookie of the Year.

January 25, 2011: Named to the All-Pro Team

On January 25, 2011, Ndamukong Suh was named to the All-Pro Team.

2011: Pro Bowl Alternate

After the 2011 NFL season, Ndamukong Suh was named a Pro Bowl alternate for the NFC.

2012: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2012, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 38th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2013: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2013, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 40th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2014: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2014, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 40th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2015: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2015, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 24th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2016: Started all 16 games and named to Pro Bowl

During 2016, Ndamukong Suh started all 16 games, recorded 72 tackles, five sacks, and six passes defended and was named to his fifth Pro Bowl.

2016: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2016

In 2016, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 40th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2017: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

In 2017, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 55th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2018: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2018

In 2018, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 61st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2019: Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team

Ndamukong Suh finished the 2019 season with 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four passes defended, four fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

February 2021: Won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In February 2021, Ndamukong Suh won his first Super Bowl as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9 in Super Bowl LV. During the game, Suh recorded 1.5 sacks on Patrick Mahomes.