If you get a uniform, you get a sentence in The World-Herald's position-by-position Husker listing.


QUARTERBACKS

LATEST WORD

One of the first things you notice is that it's a short list, hit hard by Cody Green transferring, Kody Spano leaving football, Jamal Turner moving to receiver and Bubba Starling picking baseball. It's Taylor Martinez's job, so there is none of the uncertainty that lingered for most of last August. Two important things for his sophomore season, however, will be staying healthy and sharpening his passing skills.

WHO CAN HELP

People got excited about Brion Carnes last spring — and his upside is no doubt intriguing — but he's never taken a college snap. Walk-on Ron Kellogg might be closer to playing than most realize, and Turner has continued to take snaps at QB in case of an emergency. There is no use talking about it, but would NU have found some run-oriented way to utilize Starling immediately if he were in the stable?

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight QUARTERBACKS

Taylor Martinez, So., 6-1, 200 : Star ran for 870 yards in the Huskers' first seven games this past season

Tyson Broekemeier, Fr., 6-1, 175: Likely redshirt candidate even before fall camp knee injury knocked him out for season

Ron Kellogg, So., 6-1, 215: Backup made the travel squad for last two road games of 2010

Brion Carnes, Fr., 6-1, 200: Completed 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two TDs in spring game

Anthony Ridder, Fr., 6-2, 195: Recently moved from defensive back to quarterback after Broekemeier's injury

WIDE RECEIVERS

LATEST WORD

The task since spring practice has been finding players to replace the 60 receptions that came from Niles Paul and Mike McNeill last season. The one sure thing is Brandon Kinnie, who returns after leading the team with 44 catches a year ago. Tim Marlowe offers the best experience, and Quincy Enunwa played as a true freshman in 2010. But big-play potential likely will get redshirt freshman Kenny Bell and true freshman Jamal Turner on the field somehow. An area of concern, to be sure, until some players establish themselves.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Khiry Cooper Jr., 6-2, 195: Two-sport athlete has started 70 games for Husker baseball team

Tim Marlowe Jr., 5-10, 175: Owns 22.8-yard average on 25 career kickoff returns

Taariq Allen, Fr., 6-3, 195: Played high school football in Boston for his NU position coach, Rich Fisher

Jamal Turner, Fr., 6-1, 180 : Excitement brewing over potential of freshman who signed as QB recruit

Quincy Enunwa, So., 6-2, 210 : One of three Nebraska true freshmen to play last season

Steven Osborne, Jr., 6-4, 210: Junior still looking for his first reception as a Husker

Tyler Wullenwaber, Fr., 6-1, 195: High school track and football star coming off redshirt year

Sam Burtch, Fr., 6-3, 175: Played on four state playoff teams at Elmwood-Murdock

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Kenny Bell, Fr., 6-1, 180: After redshirt season, NU looks to utilize Bell's speed

Stanley Jean-Baptiste, So., 6-3, 220 : Former JC transfer features some of best size and speed at position

Brandon Kinnie, Sr., 6-3, 225: Caught at least three passes in nine of 14 games in 2010

KC Hyland, Jr., 6-6, 215: Huskers' tallest receiver played in two games a year ago

Taylor Dixon Jr., 5-11, 195: Three-time member of Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll

Tyler Evans, Fr., 6-1, 195: Biological sciences major finished first year with 3.733 grade average

WHO CAN HELP

Both Tyler Evans and Stanley Jean-Baptiste come off redshirt seasons, while Khiry Cooper and Steven Osborne are starting to see the clock ticking on their chances to contribute. KC Hyland leads the group of walk-ons with the best chance to help out.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Jermarcus Hardrick, Sr., 6-7, 320 : Tackle has dropped nearly 30 pounds after being 348 last summer

Brandon Chapek, So., 6-5, 305: GPA an impressive 3.819 in biological sciences

Ryan Klachko, Fr., 6-4, 285: Scholarship recruit made only recruiting visit to Nebraska

Adam Kucera, Fr., 6-6, 295: Picked for pair of eight-man all-star games after starring at Litchfield

Aaron Hayes, Fr., 6-3, 265: One of five current Huskers out of Elkhorn High program

Mark Pelini, Fr., 6-0, 285: Adding depth at center after redshirting in first season as Husker

Zach Sterup, Fr., 6-8, 275 : Last two teams at Class C-1 Hastings St. Cecilia went combined 26-0

Mike Caputo, Sr., 6-1, 275: Senior has started 14 games and played in a total of 27

Will Sailors, Fr., 6-3, 255: First-team Class A all-state pick from Lincoln Northeast

Brian Thorson, Jr., 6-3, 280: Played in three Class A state championship games at Millard North

Spencer Long, So., 6-4, 305: Nearly 50 pounds heavier than when he reported to NU in 2009

Cole Pensick, So., 6-2, 275: Former defensive lineman making bid to be No. 2 center

Andrew Rodriguez, So., 6-6, 325: In line to replace three-year starter Keith Williams at left guard

Ryne Reeves, Fr., 6-3, 300: Two-time World-Herald first-team All-Nebraska selection while at Crete

Givens Price, Fr., 6-4, 275 : One of five offensive linemen in Huskers' last recruiting class

Scott Criss, So., 6-3, 270: Dad is former UNO basketball player Steve Criss

Jake Cotton, Fr., 6-6, 295: Now coached by his dad, Barney, after move from defensive line

Brodrick Nickens, So., 6-5, 300: Also had Colorado and Colorado State walk-on offers out of Alliance

Nick Ash, So., 6-5, 275: Versatility has allowed staff to try him at tackle, guard and center

Jeremiah Sirles, So., 6-6, 320: Started all 14 games at left tackle as redshirt freshman

Justin Jackson, Jr., 6-3, 270: Slightly undersized but strong

Tyler Moore, Fr., 6-6, 290: Got jump on first season by enrolling in January, practicing in spring

Mike Moudy, Fr., 6-5, 305: Redshirt freshman had scholarship offers from Stanford, KU, K-State

Luke Lingenfelter, Sr., 6-4, 280: Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll every semester at NU

Brent Qvale, So., 6-7, 320: Working outside at tackle after starting career as offensive guard

Seung Hoon Choi, Jr., 6-2, 290: Parents of walk-on still live in South Korea

Marcel Jones, Sr., 6-7, 320: Two-time Academic All-Big 12 pick slowed by back troubles

Brandon Thompson, Jr., 6-6, 300: Reserve has played in 12 games over last two seasons

LATEST WORD

The hard-luck bunch tries to find the right mix of consistency and renewed physical play this season. Former walk-on Mike Caputo anchors the line as the returning starter at center, and Nebraska has some experience at tackle with the trio of Jeremiah Sirles, Jermarcus Hardrick and Marcel Jones. Not to be underestimated, however, is the impact of losing guards Keith Williams and Ricky Henry, who combined to start five seasons. One of those spots likely goes to 325-pound sophomore Andrew Rodriguez.

WHO CAN HELP

Jake Cotton has been a factor since coming over from the defensive line and spent camp competing for a starting spot at right guard. Among those who must pounce on opportunities are tackle Brent Qvale and guard Brandon Thompson; otherwise, NU might not hesitate to take a long look at newcomers such as Tyler Moore, Ryne Reeves and Ryan Klachko.

TIGHT ENDS

LATEST WORD

Lot to like with the Huskers' one-two punch of Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed, who both offer something different and both have made an impact in their first two seasons. Cotton brings good size and blocking ability. Reed runs well and can stretch a defense. What was once a well-stocked position, however, is now lacking proven depth behind the top two, although walk-on Jake Long has been a pleasant surprise.

WHO CAN HELP

He might not be ready to leapfrog some older players, but the staff is high on true freshman David Sutton out of Lincoln Southeast. Injuries have sidetracked 2009 signee J.T. Kerr to this point, and scholarship I-back Lester Ward joined the tight ends briefly before moving to fullback but wasn't on the 105-man roster to start preseason practice.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Kyler Reed, Jr., 6-3, 230: Five of 22 receptions in 2010 covered 29 yards or more

Jay Martin, Sr., 6-2, 230: Two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and special teams regular

Eddie Ridder, Fr., 6-6, 225: Walk-on caught 46 passes in final two seasons at Elkhorn MM

Kevin Thomsen, Sr., 6-2, 245: Starred in "spinner" role during NU's 31-17 win over Missouri last year

Jake Long, So., 6-4, 240: Logged first career catch with 17-yarder vs. Colorado last November

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Ben Cotton, Jr., 6-6, 255: Two-time Academic All-Big 12 pick already has played 28 career games

Robert Barry, So., 6-8, 245: Walk-on has gone from 220 to 245 pounds over the last two years

J.T. Kerr, So., 6-4, 245: Chance for scholarship TE to add some depth at position

David Sutton, Fr., 6-3, 240: Had 12 sacks, 105 tackles as high school senior

RUNNING BACKS

LATEST WORD

It will be Rex Burkhead and the unprovens in 2011, thanks to the loss of Roy Helu to the NFL and Dontrayevous Robinson's decision last winter to transfer. Nebraska did address the need, however, by signing Aaron Green and Ameer Abdullah in February and adding Braylon Heard after he failed to become academically eligible last season. Any of those three could step forward and not be a total surprise. Leading the way again will be Tyler Legate, preparing for his third season as a regular at fullback.

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Aaron Green, Fr., 5-11, 190: Touted recruit and brother of Husker cornerback Andrew Green

Braylon Heard, Fr., 5-11, 180: Joins squad after first signing with Nebraska in 2010

Ameer Abdullah, Fr., 5-9, 180: High school triple threat as runner, receiver and kick returner

Curenski Gilleylen, Sr., 6-0, 215: Set to play last season at I-back after spending first three at receiver

Lester Ward Jr., 6-3, 230: Former I-back moved to tight end but recently switched to fullback

Mike Marrow, So., 6-2, 250: Fullback has already made stops at Alabama and Eastern Michigan

Rex Burkhead, Jr., 5-11, 210: Looking for first career back-to-back 100-yard games in 2011

Murat Kuzu, Fr., 5-11, 195: Comes from same Plano, Texas, high school as Rex Burkhead

No., Name, Class, Height, Weight

Austin Jones, Sr., 5-10, 210: 21 career carries are second most among NU's returning backs

Collins Okafor, Jr., 6-1, 225: Holds a 3.475 grade average in biological sciences

Richard Wynne, Fr., 5-9, 170: Exceeded 100 yards in every game as Omaha Creighton Prep senior

C.J. Zimmerer, So., 6-0, 235: Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll all four semesters at NU

Colin McDermott Jr.. 6-2, 250: Tries fullback after making move from Husker defensive line

Zach Taylor, Fr., 6-0, 210: Walk-on from Lincoln Southeast redshirted last season

Tyler Legate, Sr., 5-10, 235: Returning starter at fullback and Academic All-Big 12 pick in 2010

WHO CAN HELP

Austin Jones, Collins Okafor and former receiver Curenski Gilleylen are the other veterans at I-back, but they will have to fight off the freshman trio for playing time. Richard Wynne is among the walk-ons to watch. At fullback, C.J. Zimmerer still might have to wait his turn behind Legate.

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