Nebraska Recruiting: Running Back Adds to Cornhuskers' Scary Big Ten Backfield

Nebraska fans have received a big-time Christmas present.

Running back recruit Braylon Heard has qualified academically and should join the Cornhuskers in January.

Heard, a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com, has been working diligently to improve his necessary academic scores in order to attend the University of Nebraska.

The Youngstown, Ohio native told the Omaha-World Herald, “It feels great. I finally get to get back in school, get back on the field and get back to doing what I enjoy doing.”

As a senior in 2009, Heard rushed for 1,973 yards and 24 touchdowns.

This addition to the 2011 Nebraska backfield may make their initial Big Ten conference schedule easier to stomach.

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Assuming that all current Nebraska commitments sign letters of intent, Heard would join a stable including the multi-talented Rex Burkhead and coveted four-star prospect Aaron Green.

The race for the Cornhuskers’ starting quarterback job also looks to be chock-full of talent.

Current starter Taylor Martinez returns along with soon-to-be redshirt freshman Brion Carnes. Four-star quarterback commits Jamal Turner and Bubba Starling would likely complete the competition.

Starling’s presence depends on whether or not he rejects a Major League baseball career for the time being, however.

The wide receiver position will get a youthful infusion with Quincy Enunwa and Antonio Bell seeing more time. Junior college transfer Stanley Jean-Baptiste should also log a significant number of minutes.

Tight end appears to already be sewn up with the powerful Ben Cotton and speedster Kyler Reed retaining their current roles.

The Cornhuskers’ offensive line will benefit from enough pledges to create an entire second string.

Nebraska natives Zach Sterup and Ryne Reeves, Texas’ Givens Mordi Price, Florida’s Tyler Moore and Illinois’ Ryan Klachko make up one of the finest classes at their position.

All offensive line prospects are four-star prospects with the exception of Mordi Price who earned a three-star rating.

Heard’s ability to join incoming freshmen will pay huge dividends for the Cornhuskers.

His presence not only allows for proven, talented depth at his position but removes the need for Nebraska to find a junior college running back at the last minute.

In a year or two, the Cornhuskers may very well have one of the most potent offenses in the Big Ten, if not the country.

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