Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead has been named a player to watch by the Big Ten Conference.
The senior starter was a first-team all-conference player in 2011, rushing for 1,357 yards on 284 carries last season.
“Rex is a pretty special football and a special kid,” said Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini and Big Ten Media days. “He’s tough. He can do it all on the field. He’s multi-talented. He has all the intangibles. But beyond that, what he does for your football team and your program is tremendous.
“He’s to me, the definition of what a role model is and what a student-athlete should be…I wouldn’t trade him for another player in the country. That’s how much I think of Rex and what he is to our program and the University of Nebraska.”
Joining Burkhead on the list from the Big Ten Legends Division was Michigan’s Taylor Lewan, Michigan’s Denard Robinson, Michigan State’s Jonny Adams, and Michigan States William Gholston.