Young players indicator of Husker football future

The future is bright for the Nebraska football team, and for five good reasons.

More than 20 sophomores or younger saw playing time Saturday night against Florida Atlantic, with six of them getting starting nods. Seeing how influential the young guns were in NU's impressive 49-3 win got me thinking.

Who will make the biggest impact next year and the year after that?

The names that will follow might not pop off the page here in 2009, but be ready to hear their names early and often as the seasons keep coming in Lincoln. If game one of this season is any indication, they won't just be known locally either.

#1 Cody Green, QB, Freshman

Putting Green over running back Rex Burkhead might upset some, seeing as Burkhead is already in the mix and Green isn't. But in the few minutes Green was under center, he took advantage of his time.

The true freshman ran the ball just twice against FAU—one rush being a 49-yard Tommy Frazier-like run down the sideline (against a Florida team no less), and a one-yard touchdown run to help him total 50 yards. That's 11 yards more than Burkhead on seven less carries, in case you were wondering.

Green has been compared to the likes of former Texas quarterback Vince Young and current Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, but he's not a big fan of that.

"Honestly, I'd rather (the media) not say it," Green said. "That's who they are and that's how they play the game. Ever since high school, people have said either Vince Young or Terrelle Pryor. I just want to be one of those guys that people can say, ‘Maybe that's the next Cody Green.'"

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini will have an interesting decision to make this coming spring and next fall—who to start between what will soon be returning quarterback Zac Lee and the hyped up freshman.

#2 Rex Burkhead, IB, Freshman

Burkhead ran the ball nine times for 39 yards in limited time behind starting running back Roy Helu Jr., which can be considered average.

Because Helu Jr. was so on that night, the coaching staff gave him the bulk of the carries, and rightfully so.  He was the one breaking tackles and running over people to the tune of 152 yards.

My guess is Burkhead will get more carries as the season progresses, mostly because Helu Jr. will tire and some teams might just flat out have his number. All that is yet to be seen, but Burkhead is another shifty addition that will fit in well behind whoever is calling the signals.

#3 Curenski Gilleylen, WR, Sophomore

Saturday night was Gilleylen's coming out party as the receiver pulled in four balls for a total of 92 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown grab that exhibited his explosive speed.

Coming into the 2009 season, the two guys talked about most at receiver were seniors Niles Paul and Menelik Holt, but it was the sophomore who forced them to take a backseat to his show.

Outside of the 2008 spring game, Gilleylen fell off the map in Lincoln, but if Saturday is any indicator of what is to come, Zac Lee has a new and somewhat unexpected best friend for the deep ball—as does Cody Green in waiting.

#4 Sean Fisher/Will Compton, LBs, Redshirt Freshmen

OK, I cheated a little here, but these two are attached at the hip when talking about their potential. Both started Saturday night, and both were in the top seven for tackles.

This could mean a few things. One, they were at the right place at the right time. Or, they made plays that weren't expected of redshirt freshmen.

I'm voting for the latter on this one.

Fisher and Compton looked like anything but inexperienced against the Owls, but it was obvious that learning still needs to happen—after all, the defense did allow 358 total yards.

Fisher and Compton will highlight the linebackers alongside sophomore Matthew May in the coming years.

#5 Brandon Kinnie, WR, Sophomore

Finally, I come to a guy who didn't see a whole lot of the field Saturday but will make an impact in years to come. Kinnie didn't pull down any receptions, and he will not be remembered in the 49-3 NU win, but his small efforts are starting to come together.

Remember that 49-yard near-touchdown run by Green in the fourth quarter? It was sprung by a block made by Kinnie on the outside—something that doesn't show up in the stat sheet.

Kinnie will gradually see more playing time, but as with most of these youthful Huskers, they need to keep learning the playbook.

These five (or six) are just a few of the big names that will adorn NU jerseys and posters in the coming years, and although the team has only one game under its belt in 2009, Pelini couldn't be happier about getting these younger guys experience in games.

"You have a lot of guys, and that was the first time they walked out there," Pelini said. "It's good to get a lot of guys out there and get them playing time, because we are going to need every able body as the season goes on. It's a long year."

Spencer Schubert is a senior broadcasting and news-editorial major. Reach him at spencerschubert@dailynebraskan.com