The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been fortunate to watch Billy Kemp IV play at Memorial Stadium. A transfer senior playing with one year of eligibility left can have a lot of impact on a program, especially in a position group that has otherwise young talent surrounding a veteran player. A model example throughout the season, he is the type of person that any coach would want in their locker room, whose impact will be missed in the upcoming season.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Playing Career
Billy Kemp IV started his playing career at the University of Virginia. The Virginia native out of Highland Springs, attended his home state university for five years and managed to become the fourth highest reception leader with 192 total passes caught. Similar to his role at Nebraska, as a special teams player, he also led his team for four consecutive leaders as a punt returner.
As a veteran on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Kemp kept a similar role of lining up in the slot, and returning punts. When running backs were getting hurt, and the depth at that position was getting thin, Kemp offered to help fill in the role if needed. His willingness to battle through injuries, and take on adversity, really stood out as a member of this team.
When discussing the role of Kemp, Coach Rhule said the following in regards to advice for his younger players:
Billy Kemp is one of the most confident players I’ve ever been around because he’s kind of wired that way and he’s got a lot of pelts on the wall. He’s made a lot of plays.
For a young roster, Coach Rhule was talking of the impact for the underclassmen of being around a guy with the experience and mindset of Kemp. Even though the offense did not have the success that he was hoping for, he remained confident, and continued to lay it all out on the field for his teammates.
While recovering from a knee injury, he helped a struggling special teams unit. Unable to run, looking like he was visibly in pain, Coach Rhule trusted him to help with the nagging ball security issue. A testament not only to how much Coach Rhule respected, and trusted Kemp, but also how determined Kemp was to help is team, no matter what.
Devastating Event Before The Nebraska Cornhuskers
The 2022 season ended early for the Virginia Cavaliers, as tragedy that saw Kemp lose three teammates in a senseless on campus shooting. When he decided to transfer to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he took a picture with jerseys that had the numbers of; Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry, and Lavel Davis Jr., his teammates. He shared the following shortly after the announcement:
Those three guys were friends of mine, brothers of mine. Doesn’t matter the color of jersey I have on- the next season and my life is in honor of them. Every day I am going to do everything I can to make sure their legacy isn’t forgotten.
For Kemp, ending his college career the way it had at Virginia, it was important for him to get another start somewhere else. Now entering the next phase of his life, there is no doubt that he will continue to carry on the legacy of himself, and his three Virginia teammates as he pursues excellence in the NFL.