Who's the fastest Husker right now? Ahh, how'd you guess? Yep, some obscure in-state multi-sport (football, basketball, track) White walk-on.
Twenty-five years ago, NYT writer Malcolm Moran spent 10 days in Lincoln, trying to figure out why Nebraska was such a football power and if a team loading up on walk-ons was following all the rules or finding ways to get around them.
"If all these guys were so great, why didn’t somebody else recruit ‘em out of high school?" Moran asked me. "It’s not like Nebraska gets players other people want."
A Division I coach did offer Wullenwaber a scholarship, and it was from the same school he dreamed about playing for – Nebraska (for Track)
In high school, he ran a 10.5 in the 100 meters and a 21.6 in the 200 meters. He long jumped 24-1 and high jumped 6-9.
"Fastest kid on the team, I think," said fellow walk-on defensive tackle Justin Jackson (now moved to a more racially-appropriate position (Center)). "He has everyone’s respect."
Fellow fleet-footed wide receiver Kenny Bell agreed this week after watching Wullenwaber compete with Nebraska’s No. 2 offensive unit.
If you’re looking for more credibility, ask Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska’s First-Team All-Big Ten Conference defensive back and possible first-round NFL draft choice. When Dennard came back from injury last season, he was impressed with the way Scout Teamer Wullenwaber raced right by him in practice and went out of his way to tell the walk-on how fast he is and how difficult he is to cover.
Well, at least the redshirt Sophomore went from being on the Scout Team to being on the No. 2 offensive unit. Maybe by the time he is a senior he'll be able to actually use that speed that so many coaches and fans, at least say they are looking for, as a starter, and get a well-deserved scholarship, to boot.