Former Nebraska and CFL star Dahrran Diedrick dies following cancer diagnosis: 'Leaves us far too young'

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Former Nebraska Cornhuskers star running back Dahrran Diedrick, who went on to have a long and successful career in the Canadian Football League, died Saturday after a battle with cancer.

Diedrick was 44-years-old. He helped lift the Montreal Alouettes to a pair of Grey Cups during his 10-year run in the CFL. The team confirmed the death through Diedrick's family.

Former Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who currently works on the team's coaching staff, said his former teammate leaves "far too young."

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Dahrran Diedrick #30 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs with the ball during the game against the Baylor Bears at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Brian Bahr/Allsport)

"I won two championships with Dahrran, and he was a very important piece of our team," Calvillo who played with Diedrick for eight seasons in Montreal said in a statement. "He was always in a good mood and got along with everyone in our dressing room. He leaves us far too young."

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The 6-foot, 225 pound Diedrick was born in Jamaica and grew up in Toronto. He later became the first Nebraska recruit from Canada to play in Lincoln, Nebraska.

He had a breakout season for the Cornhuskers in 2001 when he rushed for 1,299 yards, which led the Big 12 Conference. He also scored 15 touchdowns that season.

Diedrick was a key part of Nebraska's run to the national championship game during the 2001 season. Nebraska was eventually defeated by the Miami Hurricanes in the Rose Bowl. He finished his college football career with 2,745 yards rushing on 502