Rex Burkhead has big plans – maybe too big, if you ask Nebraska running backs coach Tim Beck.
Burkhead, a sophomore I-back, said he'd like to start in the backfield and pass the ball in the Wildcat formation this fall.
The passing might have to wait a few months, Beck said.
"I think he was dreaming when he was talking about that," Beck said with a smile.
His quest for the starting running back job might not be such a reach. At this point, Beck said it's a three-way race for the starting position between Burkhead, fellow sophomore Dontrayevous Robinson and incumbent starter Roy Helu Jr.
"All three of those top guys are battling for the starting job, and they know it," Beck said. "And they know they can't take a play off or they're going to get passed up."
While Cody Green and Zac Lee likely won't get much competition from Burkhead for the quarterback job, the Plano, Texas, native's experience as a former high school signal caller does add a wrinkle of flexibility to the Cornhusker offense - and perhaps a boost to his starting bid.
"He's obviously a very versatile, very smart player," Beck said. "He's able to do a lot of things for us and pick it up pretty fast. You don't have to spend a lot of time repping it."
Beck said it's been a steady improvement for Burkhead, who was one of just five true freshmen to see the field in 2009.
"I have a lot of confidence in his ability, where he is now and where he will be," Beck said. "He's been busting his butt every day in practice and he'll continue to improve."
While Husker coach Bo Pelini said he won't address the depth chart publicly until August, he has been pleased with the situation in the backfield.
"I like our running back position," he said. "I think Rex has had a great offseason and Roy is feeling good and feeling healthy."
Healthy is a key word for the Husker backs. Burkhead missed five Big 12 Conference games with a foot injury last year, while Helu Jr. was limited by a nagging shoulder last year and a foot injury in 2008. Although avoiding a repeat of that will be key this year, the injuries did give Robinson and reserves Austin Jones and Lester Ward an opportunity to play an expanded role.
That already deep group will grow by one more I-back when incoming freshman Braylon Heard enters the fold for summer workouts. Burkhead said the depth NU has entering this year will come in handy during another long, physical season.
"In college football, people get injured all the time," he said. "You've got to have multiple backs to just perform back there."
For now, Burkhead's focus is on establishing himself as the top back when the season opens against Western Kentucky in September. Doing that will require supplanting Helu Jr., a second-team all-conference selection last year who rushed for 1,147 yards in 2009.
Helu Jr. is far from conceding the spot. Beck said his senior tailback has been having a strong spring and is emerging as a team leader while also adopting a more aggressive running style.
"I see a different mentality in Roy," Beck said. "A lot more vocal leadership in Roy, which I'm very pleased with. His work ethic has always been good, his toughness is improving."
And both off and on the field, Helu Jr. maintains a positive relationship with his protégé Burkhead.
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