Rex Burkhead

Although rarely given the credit, Burkhead is the best offensive player at Nebraska, coming off a productive junior season where he finished third in the conference with 1,357 rushing yards. He came close to a school record with 284 carries last season while lining up all over the backfield, even at quarterback, and also out-wide as a receiver. Burkhead wasn't considered a big-time recruit out of high school in Plano, Texas, but received offers from Texas A&M, Michigan, Stanford and several others before deciding to enroll in Lincoln. He was stuck behind Roy Helu on the running back depth chart as a freshman and sophomore, but still saw a good amount of playing time, combining for 1,297 rushing yards as a back-up. Burkhead became the starter in 2011 (13 starts) and finished with a team-best 1,357 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors.

burkhead is a compactly-built 210 pounds with excellent balance, running close to the ground and with a head of steam. burkhead is hard-nosed and tough as nails, finishing every run and popping right back after a big hit while showing the downhill patience and vision to follow his blocks.

He isn't an explosive athlete with more build-up speed than natural burst, but has quick feet to sidestep defenders and make the first guy miss. Although he lacks ?wow? ability to routinely create when the hole isn't there, Burkhead is a an energetic, workhorse runner who takes pride in his craft and runs hard with conviction and determination.

he isn't a first round caliber prospect, but could easily sneak into the top-100 picks in the mold of a smaller version of peyton hillis.

--Dane Brugler

Burkhead was a standout performer for Plano High School and Coach Jaydon McCullough. He helped Plano to a 10-2 record and the Class 5A state playoffs in 2008, rushing for 1,762 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 42 passes for 594 yards and five touchdowns. Burkhead was named a first-team Class 5A all-state selection by the AP and the Dallas Morning News' All-Area Offensive Player of the Year. The Morning News listed him among the top 25 prospects in the Dallas Metroplex and as one of the top 30 recruits in the state. During his junior season, Burkhead rushed for 1,768 yards and 29 touchdowns and caught 47 passes. His play helped Plano to a 13-2 record and a trip to the 5A state semifinals. Burkhead was an honorable-mention 5A all-state selection. Burkhead also ran for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns and passed for more than 600 yards as a sophomore when he was the 2006 District 9-5A Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Burkhead was also a basketball standout, earning first-team all-district honors as a junior and senior. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a senior and was part of a Class 5A state title in 2006. Burkhead chose Nebraska after also visiting Texas A&M, and receiving offers from dozens of other BCS schools.

Rex was born on July 2, 1990, and is the son of Rick and Robyn Burkhead. He is a history major and will graduate in December of 2012. Burkhead was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American and an academic All-Big Ten selection in 2011. He was also a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick in 2010 and was a three-time Big 12 Commissioner?s Honor Roll pick. Burkhead is also one of Nebraska?s most active student-athletes in the community. He is a three-time member of the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and was selected one of Nebraska?s Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award winners in 2012. He was also chosen as one of Uplifting Athletes Champions of 2011-12, for helping to put a national focus on helping children with rare diseases. His outreach work has included team hospital visits, the Madonna Wheelchair Football Workshop, the FCA and the Irving Rec Center.