• Video Below: NU coach Bo Pelini discusses Bubba Starling and other topics, as well as Saturday's practice highlights:
• Photo Showcase: NU football practice, Aug. 6
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LINCOLN — Bubba Starling's career at Nebraska is on hold — at least on the practice field — while the two-sport athlete chooses between college football and professional baseball.
The Gardner, Kan., native didn't attend NU's first fall practice Saturday. And he won't practice, head coach Bo Pelini said, until he decides whether to accept a pro contract from the Kansas City Royals — who drafted him in June — or suit up for the Huskers at quarterback.
The deadline to sign with the Royals is 11 p.m. on Aug. 15.
“He's got a lot at risk,” head coach Bo Pelini said. “We communicated with the family and decided this is the best way to go about this. We're on the same page.”
Pelini said he and Starling's family — Bubba, father Jimbo and mother Deb — have planned this “for a little while now.”
Last week at Big Ten media days, Pelini intimated that Starling would practice, even in pads.
“His advisers aren't running our football program,” Pelini said on July 29. Starling's adviser is noted baseball agent Scott Boras.
The quarterback is still on campus, Pelini said, and he'll attend class and work out on his own until he makes a decision. Pelini is keeping a spot open on the 105-man roster in case Starling spurns the Royals.
“Which makes sense for both of us,” Pelini said.
A spot also appears open for freshman corner Charles Jackson, who has yet to meet initial NCAA eligibility standards to enroll at NU.
In Starling's absence, Nebraska brought five quarterbacks to camp: sophomore and 12-game starter Taylor Martinez; redshirt freshman Brion Carnes; sophomore Ron Kellogg III; and true freshmen Jamal Turner and Tyson Broekemeier. Turner, who enrolled last January and switched to receiver during spring practice, took snaps with the quarterbacks Saturday.
“Jamal is a multi-talented guy,” Pelini said. “He's a receiver first, but we're working him some at quarterback. Same plan we had with him in the spring.”
The Huskers brought 103 players to camp. Sophomore fullback Mike Marrow — who is not yet eligible to play in 2011 because of NCAA transfer rules — was among them, wearing a No. 19 jersey.
“I don't want to comment until we get a final ruling,” Pelini said, “but he's out there practicing, so obviously we feel pretty good about it.”
Pelini said the team looked “pretty good” in its first practice on the outdoor turf fields just east of Hawks Championship Center. Effort and excitement were there, he said. So were mental mistakes. Typical first day. The offense, switching to a speedier attack, picked up where it left off in spring practice, Pelini said.
“The tempo was great today,” he said. “The communication was really good. Obviously having the time together in the spring, installing it, I think the players did a good job of continuing their learning.”
Nebraska practices again Sunday. The next media availability, however, is Monday evening.
Contact the writer:
402-202-9766, sam.mckewon@owh.com
twitter.com/swmckewonOWH
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• Video: NU coach Bo Pelini discusses Bubba Starling and other topics after Saturday's practice:
• Video: See video highlights from Saturday's football practice:
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