2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers

[Jack Lambert]

Here are your projected white starters for the Nebraska Cornhuksers this year. Nebraska looks to start at the least, 13 white players this year, with 14 more likely. Tim Marlowe is in a tough battle at WR, even if he doesn't win the job, he'll see the field a lot. Rex Burkhead hopefully will make the jump up to one of the nation's elite running backs this year. He'll start at the I-Back spot, which is basically the standard RB spot in the 'Husker's system, and Burkhead will be the team's workhorse back, getting the majority of the carries. He'll pair with QB Taylor Martinez, who has game-breaking speed. Nebraska is going back to a 4-3 base defense this year with the move to the Big 10, so Sean Fisher will reclaim his starting LB spot after sitting out last year with an injury. Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler will form one of the best DT tandems in the country this year. In their inaugural Big 10 season, the Cornhuskers are expected to make it to the first ever Big 10 Championship Game. White players to look for are TE Jake Long, LT Jeremiah Sirles, G Brandon Thompson, C Ryne Reeves, T Tyler Moore, DT Chase Rome, MLB Trevor Roach, LB Mathew May, and NB Justin Blatchford. Nebraska should start 14 white players this year, which is an improvement over last year, including a majority white defense.

Offense
QB- Taylor Martinez
IB- Rex Burkhead
FB- Tyler Legate
WR(Z)- Tim Marlowe - in a fight for the position
TE- Ben Cotton
C- Mike Caputo
RG- Jake Cotton
RT- Brent Qvale - in a fight for the position.

Defense
DE- Cameron Meredith
DT- Jared Crick
DT- Baker Steinkuhler
SLB- Sean Fisher
MLB- Will Compton
FS- Austin Cassidy

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Since '05 Nebraska has started 11, 13, 11, 12, 11 and 13 Whites. I look forward to seeing Rex Burkhead tear up the Big Ten.

 

[Don Wassall]

I wonder how many Steinkuhlers have played for Nebraska. It's one of the great football families in the country.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

There have been 3 Steinkuhler letter winners at Nebraska but there may have been some others who played there.

 

[celticdb15]

Can't to see all these guys in the Big Ten this year! I really like the addition of Nebraska, a team I've always admired getting added to the Big Ten from a caste perspective. Majority white teams will have some interesting caste match ups against some "affletes". Seriously looking forward to my local coverage this fall!

 

[Highlander]

Marlowe should be the starter at slot, but after Springpractice he was listed 2nd on the depth chart I saw. He is super quick and agile and his athleticism stands out on the field. Also, Senior Lance Thorell should be starting at one of the corner spots, but has had a never-ending apprenticeship behind affletes. He started in Dime packages as a Freshman and did qreat. Quick and agile as a cat. Superb athlete. Last fall when a reporter asked Rex "who stood out there on the field", he mentioned both Thorell ("flying all over the place") and Marlowe. A pity.

Enjoy it while it lasts, because all of the other 2-deep DT and DE starters are black as have been most of their recruits and they have their eyes set on two "dual threat" black quarterbacks from SEC country if Bubba decides to play baseball instead. In the future, I see maybe 2 or 3 starters on Defense and 5 or 6 on Offense as they are now also targeting "athletic" (what they perceive to be) Tight Ends.

Personally, if Bubba does go to Nebraska, I would rather see him playing WR. With his size, speed, and natural athletic ability, he could be a First Team All-American and 1st round draft choice, but that isn't going to happen, unfortunately. He's a great runner and spotty passer so his chance of being an NFL QB is slim to none.

 

[snow]

I doubt they stop becoming white friendly. The walk on tradition helps them stay pretty white. Cody Green was a highly touted prospect (I think 4 star) but hes never going to be a full time starter, the same with most of the highly touted recruits with a bunch of stars by their names. Of course the msm will drool over these guys and they will win the position "any day now". Like Cody Green supposedly "battling" Martinez. This sports magazine preview talked about the spring game, they were hyping up Green in the game, mentioning one play - "a pitch to Rex Burkhead with laser precision". Wow he can pitch the ball 5 yards, incredible. I can't see them going below 11 whites any time soon.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Don't forget Highlander, they'll have guys like Chase Rome and Walker Ashburn coming up soon. Their LBs are pretty much all white now besides David. Nebraska has Jordan Westerkamp coming in at WR too. I hate the way they're recruiting those affletic deep-south guys though.

Hopefully, white TE Christo Kourtzidis will be a 'Husker soon.

 

[mattharper]

Highlander, you are a god damn god. I thought I knew more about the white guys at the skill positions than anybody. You trump my sorry butt dude.

 

[Highlander]

Thanks for the compliment matt, but there are others here on this site, including yourself, Jack, snow, celticdb, Col Reb, Deadlift, and some others that probably have greater knowledge than me on some of these players and teams. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to research it as much as I used to.

snow, Green transferred out of Nebraska. I don't think he's landed anywhere yet that I know of.

 

[white is right]

It's strange that Nebraksa has an all White backfield but has two non Whites starting on the O-line. Usually under various coaches for the "White" positions they recruit in state.

 

[Jack Lambert]

It's strange that Nebraksa has an all White backfield but has two non Whites starting on the O-line. Usually under various coaches for the "White" positions they recruit in state.

One of the starters is Andrew Rodriguez, a "Nebraskan" who moved there from NY City.

The other tackle is Marcel Jones, who could possibly lose his job sometime to Barney Cotton's son and Ben's brother Jake.

 

[Tim Riggins]

I wonder how many Steinkuhlers have played for Nebraska. It's one of the great football families in the country.

For football families how about the Bulloughs from Michigan State. Hank Bullough was an all-American and coached at MSU. His sons Shane and Chuck Bullough started at MSU. Shane's son Max Bullough is starting at MSU and will play in the NFL and his other son Riley Bullough is committed there. So will youngest brother Byron Bullough in a couple years.

 

[Jack Lambert]

That's pretty cool about the Bullough family, Tim.

I have a little bit of a Nebraska update. DB Justin Blatchford is working as the No. 1 nickleback in camp right now. Word is Jake Cotton will probably start at RG or RT, and Brent Qvale might start at RT. Sirles isn't very healthy right now, and probably won't start at LT, but it sounds like Marlowe has a slot WR almost locked up, and should get PT.

DT Chase Rome is also impressing, and should get some PT this year. Also, walk-on LBs Trevor Roach and Derek Slaughter are doing pretty well, as is senior LB Matt May.

 

[Highlander]

Kind of funny, racially-tinged article, from Saturday's game against Washington

Of course, if any of the characters in this story were White, and caught doing the same thing, it wouldn't be considered a laughing matter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nebraska offensive linemen Jermarcus Hardrick and Seung Hoon Choi are about as opposite as oil and water.

Hardrick grew up in the Deep South in Mississippi, while Choi is originally from South Korea and didn't move to the United States until right before high school.

The pair made up the left side of NU's line on Saturday during the Huskers 51-38 win over Washington. Hardrick said he's probably never had more fun playing in a football game than he did this past Saturday next to Choi.

What impressed Hardrick the most about lining up next to Choi was how he stood up for himself and was not intimidated at all by the Huskies imposing defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu.

"I think that was probably the funniest game I've ever played in," Hardrick said. "I heard (Choi) talking every single play just saying 'come on boy, what are you going to do now. You going to call me a fat Asian or something again?'

"Him and (Ta'amu) were talking the whole time. Every time we hit somebody he was just making a whole lot of noises."

Hardrick said after Ta'amu started referring to Choi as a "big fat Asian" it probably motivated him to play even harder on Saturday.

"(Choi) would fire back and say 'fat Asian pancaked you,' and things like that," Hardrick said.

"I think them talking made it worse. I didn't know he was going to play that good. He was just coming off the ball. He had a very good game."

In general, Hardrick said the entire team is proud of how far Choi has come in his time at NU.

Hardrick said they may play around with him a lot off the field, but everybody has a deep respect for how hard he's worked to get where he's at.

"When we go out to eat everybody cracks on him and asks if he is going to order an egg roll," Hardrick joked. "(Choi) texted me one day and asked me if I was going to Popeye's (Chicken) to get thighs and fries and things like that. We just have a lot of fun. It's like a big family.

"I think the whole team is very proud of him. We have a lot of fun with him, but he knows we are all family. I want him to play more. It was a lot of fun playing with him. I have never had that much fun on the field with somebody."

 

[Deadlift]

I had to find out about the "imposing" Ta'amu! http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/499816/alameda-taamu

Sounds like another "space eater".. Thus far, he's only feasted on Eastern Washington (5 tackles). Against Hawaii, his stats are mediocre (2 tackles and a sack), especially since the Warriors' o-line is rather weak this year.

 

[FootballDad]

During a free moment, I went to the Nebraska website to look at their defensive backfield, as they had recruited a lot of white talent back there last year, and I wanted to see what happened to them. Of the 27 DB's on the roster, 12 are white. But of the 12 players on the 3-deep depth chart, only ONE, Austin Cassidy, is white (and a starter). Maybe all of that affletic talent is the reason that Big Red has given up a TON of passing yards this season so far. I haven't gone into depth to see what all of these kids used to play, especially the "DBs", but one caught my eye. Bronson Marsh, who is a true freshman on this year's squad, last year played QB for Millard South in Omaha, a traditional Nebraska HS power. Here is a video of him winning the "TapOut Tough Guy" award........

http://www.ketv.com/r/21281645/detail.html

 

[DixieDestroyer]

Crick is the best DT in the nation...having a solid season thus far with 14 tackles and one sack. I expect him to rack up close to 10+ sacks by season's end.

 

[Highlander]

Crick is the best DT in the nation...having a solid season thus far with 14 tackles and one sack. I expect him to rack up close to 10+ sacks by season's end.

Yeah, and he's putting those numbers up even though often double and sometimes triple-teamed. But apparently this "scout" doesn't agree with us:

Prospect of the day: Nebraska DL Jared Crick

Is Crick one of the draft’s most overrated prospects?

Wes Bunting

September 19, 2011

Crick has a tendency to play too high.
DL Jared Crick: No. 94 (6-6, 285)
A tall, leaner defensive tackle with a long set of arms, but lacks ideal girth in the lower half. Is instinctive, gets off the snap count on time and does a nice job finding the football vs. the run game. However, at 6-6 struggles with his pad level. Displays decent bend for his size when asked to coil up into his stance. However, his initial movement off the line is upright and exposes a lot of his frame into contact. Fails to consistently gain leverage at the point and can be overwhelmed/washed out when run at. When trying to anchor at times will lunge into opponents off the snap, try to anchor his feet into the ground and gets straight legged, failing to disengage quickly and ends up on the ground too often. Uses his long arms well and displays some shiftiness for his size to slip off the snap and/or down the field. Works hard to play the piano down the line and has a motor that runs non-stop. However, struggles to consistently fend off blocks when a defender gets his hands on him. Looks better suited to play as a base DE or 5-technique in a 34 at the next level where he can set the edge and use his length to play off blocks.

Is a hard-working pass rusher who again struggles with his pad level off the ball. Exhibits some intriguing short area/lateral quickness for his size and uses his length well to keep himself clean. Doesn’t exhibit a real impressive pass rushing arsenal and fails to consistently win as a bull rusher. However, possesses a good first step off the snap and does a great job keeping opponents from getting their hands on him. Consistently is able to knock opponents’ punch away and has some savvy pulling the rug out from blockers and using his quickness to get up the field. Gets upright still when closing on the ball and will struggle to break down because of his pad level. Nevertheless, creates pressure because he can keep himself clean and works until the whistle.

Impression: Isn’t a guy who can hold up vs. the run inside in the NFL and isn’t a dynamic pass rusher either. However, as a base DE I can see him finding a home with some versatility on 3rd down. But, looks more like a rotational NFL lineman to me and potential starter only.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Prospect-of-the-day-Nebraska-DL-Jared-Crick.html

 

[Highlander]

During a free moment, I went to the Nebraska website to look at their defensive backfield, as they had recruited a lot of white talent back there last year, and I wanted to see what happened to them. Of the 27 DB's on the roster, 12 are white. But of the 12 players on the 3-deep depth chart, only ONE, Austin Cassidy, is white (and a starter). Maybe all of that affletic talent is the reason that Big Red has given up a TON of passing yards this season so far. I haven't gone into depth to see what all of these kids used to play, especially the "DBs", but one caught my eye. Bronson Marsh, who is a true freshman on this year's squad, last year played QB for Millard South in Omaha, a traditional Nebraska HS power. Here is a video of him winning the "TapOut Tough Guy" award........

http://www.ketv.com/r/21281645/detail.html

Geez FootballDad, I'm surprised that you of all people don't know that these DB's were picked for their numbers...GPAs, that is. I remember checking into their physical stats (size, speed, strength, etc.) last year and they were on par with the scholarship DB's. But, of course, as "Preferred Walkons" they must take their rightful Caste position and role with the team...as third or fourth string DBs with high GPAs and 90+% graduation rates to ensure that the graduation rate and GPA of the team stays above the penalty area declared by the NCAA.

Personally, I would love to see the lot of them band together and walk off the field, in unison, heads bowed, right fists clenched in the air, finally realizing that they were only sold on the dream of playing but instead are only being used as pawns of a Caste system, then let the University deal with the graduation rate and GPA.

 

[celticdb15]

During a free moment, I went to the Nebraska website to look at their defensive backfield, as they had recruited a lot of white talent back there last year, and I wanted to see what happened to them. Of the 27 DB's on the roster, 12 are white. But of the 12 players on the 3-deep depth chart, only ONE, Austin Cassidy, is white (and a starter). Maybe all of that affletic talent is the reason that Big Red has given up a TON of passing yards this season so far. I haven't gone into depth to see what all of these kids used to play, especially the "DBs", but one caught my eye. Bronson Marsh, who is a true freshman on this year's squad, last year played QB for Millard South in Omaha, a traditional Nebraska HS power. Here is a video of him winning the "TapOut Tough Guy" award........

http://www.ketv.com/r/21281645/detail.html

Hey maybe a couple of these guys can stick around until they are 5th year seniors and then maybe get a chance to crack the lineup after the real affletes have dropped out, been arrested, or drafted!

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Pretty sad stuff there, FootballDad. It is amazing for a team to have that many White DBs on the roster, but it is sickening to see the way nearly all of them get screwed out of playing time, or at least a legit chance at earning it.

 

[Highlander]

Burkhead Hasn't Got Time for the Pain

LINCOLN — It was the second quarter Saturday when Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead hobbled to the sideline after a tough 4-yard run.

A trainer stopped to check on the talented junior, who was crouched with hands on his knees and pain in a foot.

The conversation was brief.

Burkhead trotted back onto the field after two snaps. He looked as fresh as ever on the next play, taking a handoff, bouncing off an arm-tackle attempt, shaking off a Cowboy diving for his ankles and gaining 22 yards.

No big deal.

"He doesn't want to stay out very long," running backs coach Ron Brown said. "He goes out for one play and he's beating down my back trying to get back in again. He's got a great heart."

And a gritty and gutsy mentality, as he's proven over and over again. Burkhead carried the ball 15 times during Nebraska's 38-14 win over Wyoming, finishing with a career-high 170 yards and two touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder danced and wiggled his way out of tackles all night. His body still took a beating, the same kind of gamelong pounding that's typical for an offense's feature I-back.

Nebraska does have backups for Burkhead — three willing freshmen in Braylon Heard, Ameer Abdullah and Aaron Green. But taking Burkhead off the field, and keeping him sidelined, isn't easy.

"Even when he got tired — he got dinged up a little bit — he just kept battling and fighting," Brown said.

Brown called Burkhead a "banty rooster." His teammates nicknamed him the "White Stallion." He's a "monster," senior receiver Brandon Kinnie told reporters Saturday night.

"We know we're going to get that from him every game," Kinnie said.

And Nebraska's offense will certainly need it.

Limiting the big-play rushing ability of quarterback Taylor Martinez seems to be opponents' first priority. Since the Huskers' passing game has been inconsistent, Burkhead has been NU's next best threat.

Nebraska unveiled the wildcat formation Saturday, putting Burkhead behind center and giving him command of the offense. The first snap resulted in a 28-yard run right up the middle of Wyoming's defense.

But Burkhead has also proven he can attack the edge with the same kind of instinctive decisiveness that makes him so potent between the tackles.

"Look at his center of gravity," Brown said, while simultaneously bending his knees, imitating Burkhead's style. "He's playing the game half-size. He plays down here the whole game."

His vision is an ally, too. And he's able to contort his body based on what he sees.

That's why it would be tough to tackle Burkhead in the aisle of an airplane, much less an open field. On his first run of the game — a 7-yarder — Burkhead broke three tackles and probably would have kept running if the sideline hadn't gotten in the way.

"He's a clinic for young players," Brown said. "I always tell guys, when you're playing with your head down, you're missing a good ball game. Rex watches himself play a good game."

Burkhead won't add anything to a discussion of his skills.

Asked about his career night Saturday, he deflected the question. He said nothing about the pain he played through. Nothing about his willingness to take carry after carry.

He gave his offensive line a shout-out. Praised fullback Tyler Legate. Gushed over downfield blocks thrown by the receivers.

"All the credit goes to them," he said.

Don't mistake his humility for timidity, though. Burkhead's enjoying his role as the team's workhorse.

"I'm ready for Big Ten play," he said.

 

[Highlander]

Nebraska Offers Verbal Scholarship to Drake Martinez

According to Huskers Illustrated — The World-Herald’s partner on recruiting — Laguna Beach running back/defensive back Drake Martinez — the younger brother of Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez — has a verbal offer from NU and could act on it soon.

From the article:

His coach, Mike Churchill, said Martinez has not committed to Nebraska yet, but said it wouldn’t surprise him if his star junior did. He said Martinez is always wearing Husker gear around school and even has his group of friends wearing Nebraska apparel, and is very proud of his older brother’s success in Lincoln.
The Huskers already had a step ahead of most schools because of the family connection and having already convinced Casey Martinez, Drake’s father, that Nebraska was the right place for Taylor. But after Martinez burst onto the national scene in recent weeks with eye-popping numbers, it appears the Huskers are also the first team to step up with a scholarship offer.

Martinez ran for 313 yards in one game earlier this year. He’s averaging 16 yards per carry right now. And, yes, he attends the high school popularized by MTV’s “Laguna Beach†and “The Hills†TV programs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hopefully they plan on using him as a RB, but my guess is it will be as a DB and probably the more racially-appropriate position of Safety.

http://sports.omaha.com/2011/09/30/recruiting-martinez-2-0/

 

[FootballDad]

This is very positive and encouraging news. I would love to see top D1 schools in a virtual bidding war for a white RB. It would be nice to see these schools, having not gotten Martinez to then just take a cursory look around the nation and find that dozens of white backs have the same type of production and measurables.